Virtual Writing Center: VWC Staff
VWC Staff
VWC Peer Consultants
Hello! I’m Jillian Alden (she/her/hers), an aspiring Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Drama Therapist out of Antioch Seattle. I grew up in Oregon and through a long series of life events, moved to Tacoma, WA where I eventually attended the University of Washington and completed my bachelor’s degree in Psychology. When I’m not learning and working from home, I enjoy performing as a murder suspect with the Murder Mystery Company out of Seattle, and hopefully I will get to enjoy this again when the world feels a little safer from COVID-19. I love dogs, sunshine, tattoos, food, creative arts and building relationships over a cup of coffee. I also love watching the transformative process that happens through writing revision. I am excited to witness your journey and help you feel increasingly confident and proud of your own work!
Hello! My name is Amanda Carlin (she/her), and I am currently enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the AUNE campus. I grew up in New Jersey and received a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Psychology from Rowan University. As a lover of literature, I have always enjoyed writing and reading. However, some of my other interests include playing guitar, cooking, and painting. I love editing and revising the work of other individuals, and I look forward to assisting you on your academic writing journey!
Hiya! My name is Iris Chiang (she/they) and I am a clinical mental health counseling and art therapy student at Antioch University Seattle. I was born and raised in New Jersey. Since graduating high school, I have also lived in Nashville, India, and Hawai’i. I am an avid traveler and I love painting murals. I’m always down for a good hike and camping under the stars. I am so excited to connect and create with you at the VWC!
Howdy! I’m Lauren Christian (she/her/hers) and am a Clinical Mental Health and Counseling online graduate student AUNE. I’m currently based out of Boise, ID where I completed my bachelor’s degree in psychology at Idaho State University. Before Boise I lived in Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. I work weekends at a small boutique winery serving delicious wines sourced from the Snake River Valley and studying people. I enjoy creative writing, the outdoors, trying new food, seeing live music, and connecting with my community. I am honored to be part of the VWC and the opportunity to learn from and assist my peers on their educational journey!
Hello, my name’s R. Jude Frank and I’m a clinical PsyD student at Antioch University New England. I earned my BA in Psychology from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts and MSc from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. I’ve worked as a Research Assistant in many labs, including positions at the UMASS and Dalhousie University, across an array of subjects. I love writing in all forms and understand the anxiety that can get wrapped up in sharing writing with others. I’m just here to say, that’s okay! Thank you for taking that vulnerable first step and I can’t wait to get to know you better through your writing!
Hello, my name is Alexandra Frederick (she/her/hers), and I am a Clinical Psychology PsyD student at Antioch University New England. Before attending Antioch, I received my M.A. in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, and my B.S. from the State University of New York at Cortland in Psychology. I have worked as both a Research Assistant as well as a Teaching Assistant and enjoyed making connections with students in many different settings. I look forward to providing support, as well as learning from others and improving my own writing.
Hello, I'm Mara Hesed. I live in Los Angeles with my partner, two kids, a guinea pig, and a kitten. I'm working on my Master's in Psychology for Marriage and Family Therapy. This is my second graduate degree after spending 20 years in the arts. My main areas of expertise are theatre and oil painting. But I've cast a wide net, so over the years, I have made many beautiful things ranging from puppet shows and children's books to religious pageantry and feminist performance art. A throughline for me has always been stories. I am constantly delighted and inspired by story-telling in all its many forms. And I feel privileged now to have the opportunity to support you in telling your best stories.
Hello! My name is Julia Koh (She/they), and I am an aspiring marriage and family therapist enrolled in the Clinical Psychology program at Antioch, Los Angeles. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and earned a BA in English and Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign. Since graduating, I have lived in Seoul, South Korea, where I worked in a children’s theater during the day and ran a drag show at night. I have spent the last two years in San Diego, with my family, my partner, and my dog. My partner and I love to take my dog to the dog park, play video games, go to drag shows, see live music, and go on hikes. Writing and editing can feel like daunting tasks, so I am hoping that we can take on this challenge together!
Hi! My name is Marcus Krodel, but most people call me Max. I’m a First Year PsyD student at Antioch New England University. I did my undergrad at SCSU in New Haven, CT (Go Owls) and majored in Psychology. I then went on to get my Master’s in Forensic and Legal Psychology at Roger Williams University. I do not have much time outside of school, but when I can manage it, I like to go on mini-adventures around New Hampshire with my fiancée. When I am not outside, I’m usually in my chair playing PS5 or streaming shows through one of my five streaming subscriptions. I’m an avid fan of the Washington Football Team and the Boston Red Sox, and I occasionally attend their games. I am really excited to be a part of the VWC team, and I look forward to my time here at Antioch!
Hi! I am Angelina Moneir (she/her/hers), a current Art Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student studying at Antioch University Seattle. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD), focusing in glassblowing/ceramics and art therapy. As an artist and outdoor environmental educator – I am always on the move. Hiking, backpacking, kayaking, glassblowing, drawing/painting murals and designing tattoos – you name it. My passions lie in human connectivity with the natural world, while bringing awareness to its beauty that is often passed over or forgotten. The natural world’s vast intensity is what I find most inspiring. Being someone who loves to help and teach others – I am incredibly excited to work with all of you! (Trivia question : can you guess where in the world I have dual citizenship just by looking at me?)
Hey there, my name is Syd Olsen (She/they) and I am currently in the CFT with Art Therapy Master’s program at AUS. I started my BA at San Francisco State studying Poli Sci, but life circumstances brought me to Psychology! I completed my BA in Health Counseling and Psych at Antioch Seattle, and after finishing grad school, I hope to work with children and families through expression. I was born and raised in San Diego, CA, and lived in the Bay Area for a few years. I’ve been in Seattle since 2020, and absolutely love the spring and summer seasons here! Some of my passions include painting, drawing, expressive writing such as poetry, playing the guitar, and singing. I was a barista in specialty/third-wave coffee for several years before coming back to school. Writing is one of my favorite tools to communicate and connect with the world, it’s an honor to work with this community to grow these skills together!
Hello everyone! I am Stefanie Paredes (she/her), currently a Creative Writing student in the MFA program at the Los Angeles campus. My primary focus is Screenwriting, but I also enjoy playwriting (full-length/ten-minute). I graduated from the New York Film Academy in 2021 with a BFA in Screenwriting. I am a Southern California native. I love all things old Hollywood, and have a cat named Maya Beaumont. I’m looking forward to helping you at VWC, thank you for being here and sharing your work with us!
Hello! I’m Ian Rodriguez (he/him), in the MFA Program at AULA. I’m a Navy Seabee veteran who writes literary shorts. I’m also an engineer in Vancouver, BC. I truly enjoy being new eyes and fresh perspective for my peers finishing their projects and assignments. I’ve been a peer writing tutor for STEM and EAL students across disciplines while in my Environmental Eng. BASc at the University of BC/Northern BC and had an opportunity to co-edit a first translation of Japanese folktales. Training as a crisis line coach and community advocate, as well as being a responder with Canada Task Force 1 gives me essential knowledge of trauma-informed practice. I believe in Antioch’s mission to empower people through education that advances social justice in our world. I’ll bring care and attention to the work you trust us with.
Hi! My name is Melody Rossiter (she/they), and I’m studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Art Therapy at Antioch University Seattle. I have two cats, Delilah (pictured) and Thea (not pictured). In my spare time, I like listening to music or podcasts while working with some of my favorite art media: pen drawings, mixed media/collage, and bookmaking. I also enjoy creative writing and have two very rough first drafts of novels; but roughness is just part of the process, and one of my favorite things about writing is witnessing the growth that occurs between revisions.
Hello! I’m Allie Stites (she/her) and I’m currently a student in the Couple and Family Therapy Master’s program at Antioch Seattle. My Bachelor’s degree is in human development and much of my time and focus has been working with children. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, hiking, running, working out, adventures, watching shows, and creative outlets. I look forward to being a part of your writing journey!
Hi there! My name is Amanda Timm and my pronouns are she/they. I’m currently pursuing my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at AUS and certificate in dance/movement therapy at AUNE. I’m from Minneapolis where I currently live but I spent 11 years in Chicago where I studied dance and directed my own project-based dance company. I traveled for about 5 years around the US, Oceania, South East Asia, and South Asia, living and working in places like Maui, Australia, and India where I taught English and provided support for ASL writers. I’m involved in many community-based projects and I’m excited to expand my network by supporting and learning from my VWC peers.
Hi! My name is Summer Vineyard (they/she), and I’m currently pursuing my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as well as the Gender Affirming Clinical Practice certificate, at AUNE. I live in Denver, Colorado, with my partner, dog, and cat. I’m passionate about human rights, language, psychology, education, philosophy, animals, plants, fungi, creativity… Too much to list really! My BA revolved around transpersonal anthropology and ethnobotany, and most of my previous work experience has been as an editor or educator. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner, curious about everything, and try to inspire that feeling in everyone I work with, students and peers alike. I’ve loved my time at Antioch so far and am excited to further enhance my experience—and, hopefully, others’ experiences as well—by joining the VWC!
VWC Staff
Hi, I’m John Dunham (they/he), the Director of the Virtual Writing Center. I’ve supported Antioch students through the VWC and the Antioch New England Writing Center for nearly a decade in various capacities, and I really love helping people to better develop and communicate their ideas. I started writing in a family with an intense interest in language; attended Marlboro College and enjoyed the school’s rigorous writing standards; and am the current editor of The Northeastern Caver, a regional publication of the National Speleological Society (caves being my other great love). My background in History, Writing, Linguistics, Asian Studies, Environmental Studies, and Social Justice Advocacy provides a broad knowledge base and appreciation for multiple kinds of writing, as well as a strong commitment to Antioch’s social justice mission. My prior experience also included Wilderness Therapy with at-risk youth in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, which provided invaluable tutoring, coaching, and leadership skills. I’m privileged to be able to contribute to student learning and student success here at Antioch, and even more so to work with the amazing people listed on this page. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or ideas about how the VWC can be better, I’m always eager to hear them!
Hello and welcome to the Virtual Writing Center! I’m Anne Maxham, and I was Director of Writing Support and Faculty (Emeritus) for Antioch University through 2021. I came to Antioch University Seattle in 2000 as a faculty member in the School of Education in a program that genuinely reflected AU’s commitment to social justice through offering a rigorous BA + Teacher Preparation program for Seattle area para-educators. Through the years, I’ve developed writing support and programs at AUS, launched campus centers in AUNE and AUSB, and created professional editing support for doctoral writers in the Writers’ Exchange. I am proud to have founded a team of staff, faculty, and students deeply committed to support Antioch University writers wherever they are.
Work Study Positions
Working for the VWC
The VWC hires current Antioch students from any campus who are enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral degree program and have a work-study award for the current academic year. Typical appointments are 10 hours per week for a minimum of one year, renewing on June 30 (the end of the Academic Year), and all work-study positions within the VWC pay at the same rate. The VWC does not close for quarterly or semester breaks except for Winter Break, between the second-to-last week of December and the second week of January.
Job Description: A VWC Peer Writing Consultant’s primary responsibility is to review and respond to student writing submissions. The Writing Consultant must have a strong proficiency in writing and facility with online communication. The consultant should be an effective collaborator and communicator, interested in supporting other AU students’ growth as writers, and interested in joining the conversation about composition/writing center theory and practice. The majority of the work of the VWC is responding to writers’ submissions and contributing to the VWC community. Peer Writing Consultants are responsible for monitoring the online queue for writing submissions and responding in a timely fashion. The Consultant begins with the oldest submission and provides feedback according to VWC protocols. Written responses are based on a hierarchy of needs: first, alignment with the assignment; second, higher-order concerns such as organization, information development, focus, and integration of source material; third, suggestions for lower-order concerns such as sentence structure, word choice, grammar, and syntax. In certain circumstances, the Consultant is advised to confer with the VWC Director or Coordinator before responding. Additionally, the Writing Consultant may confer with other students through synchronous virtual meetings. These meetings are scheduled on request, and each Peer Consultant will provide potential days during their normal shifts that they could also be available for a virtual session. The same protocols apply to these sessions, as well as additional elements for an effective in-person response. The Consultant’s remaining responsibilities involve professional development through reading resources available on the VWC and Consultant Sakai sites. Consultants also engage in monthly conversations with other consultants during staff meetings and regular one-on-one meetings with the VWC Coordinator. Most consultants are also engaged in other ancillary projects related to resource development and writing for the VWC Newsletter. Consultants are paid for all professional development time in addition to their shifts monitoring the VWC queue.
Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Adhere to established protocols of responding to student writing
- Monitor the VWC queue for writing submissions
- Respond to new writing submissions in a timely and appropriate fashion
- Assist in developing new materials and resources
- Participate in monthly staff meetings and stay current with required readings
- Represent the VWC on campus when needed
- Consistently read and respond to work-related emails
- Contribute to VWC newsletter
- Communicate and schedule work and absences with appropriate lead time
- Make up for any missed meetings through written engagement with meeting minutes.
Consultant Learning Objectives:
- Develop skills for offering authentic written feedback that fosters writers’ growth
- Deepen understanding of writing as an epistemology and cognitive process
- Acquire insight into the expanding frontier of online learning
- Practice reading written work and providing valuable feedback
To inquire about available positions, please e-mail us at vwc@antioch.edu.