Meet our Writing Assistants

Dilara Dikilitas joined the Applied Linguistics Ph.D. program at NAU in 2023. She received her M.A. in TESL-Applied Linguistics from NAU and B.A. in TEFL from the Middle East Technical University. Currently, she teaches English Composition classes at NAU and serves as a team lead for the Lumberjack Writing Center tutors. Turkish native language, English highly proficient, French learning. Her research interests include second language speech, fluency, speech production, and oral assessment.

Michelle R. PhD in Applied Linguistics, 2027. I have a special interest in Second Language Acquisition and Pragmatics. Fluent in English, studied Russian for two years. I love working collaboratively with students to realize their writing potential.

Alyssa E Begay. Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, 2025. Special emphasis on Creative Nonfiction. Fluent in English, currently studying Navajo. Thrilled and excited to be working with students and supporting them in reaching their goals as writers.

Mark S. PhD student, Applied Linguistics. Expected graduation 2026. Focus of study: second language writing; written corrective feedback; English and Chinese language literature, with an emphasis on poetry; Chinese as second language instruction. Languages: English and Chinese. Pleased to help with writing problems from content to punctuation. Most practiced with APA 7.

Runlan L., first-year PhD student in Applied Linguistics, 2028. Emphasis on second language reading & writing. Fluent in Chinese, English, and Japanese. Excited to support students from diverse language backgrounds and anyone who has difficulties during the writing process.

Seiji. T. PhD in Applied Linguistics, 2028, with a focus on second language acquisition, speech perception and production, and speech technology. Holds a master’s degree in TESOL from the UK. A native Japanese speaker, fluent in English as a second language. Passionate about helping students with writing structure, grammar, and APA style citations.

Eric C. Master’s candidate in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (2026) with research interests in digital humanities and language variation. Fluent in English and Danish, conversational in Japanese, some knowledge of German and Anglo-Saxon. Taught adult ESL courses for international students. Hobbyist in creative nonfiction and historical fiction writing.

Tatiana P. is a second year MFA student focusing on creative nonfiction, expected to graduate in 2026. She earned her BA in Journalism and Women’s Studies from Colorado State University. Tatiana is fluent in English, and worked as a newspaper journalist before beginning her master’s program. She has experience in AP style and is thrilled to help journalism students — and any students — who want help making their writing clear, punchy, and effective.

Kevin W. Candidate in MFA. Research interests include twentieth century American literature and very short fiction. Native English speaker. Excited to help students appreciate the art of fine writing.

Maisie H. Bachelor’s in English. Current student in MFA in Creative Writing. Heavy research background with special interest in media studies. Native English speaker with a passion for collaborating with students in the writing process.

Jackline B. Master of Arts in Literature, 2026. Bachelor of Education, Arts [English and French]. Fluent in English, Akan and Dagaree. Excited to help students with my expertise in English.

Madi L. Student in the English Literature Master’s program. Native English speaker with a love for world literature. I am happy to assist students in any way I can!

Kim, M. is a master’s degree student in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language. She is fluent in Korean, and has extensive experience teaching English to EFL students in colleges, private tutoring, and institutions. Her research interests include second language acquisition, the development and evaluation of teaching methodologies, and computer-assisted language learning. Her recent study explored a Longitudinal Exploration of Learner Characteristics, Emotion, and Engagement in an AI-mediated English Linguistics Course.

Lila K. Studying Rhetoric in Writing and Digital Media Studies (MA program). I have a BSED (Bachelors Science Education), specifically in English. I am a native English speaker with a few years of practice in Spanish speaking. I enjoy working collaboratively with students and helping them to see the brewing potential and passions each and every one of them have. I am looking forward to working with you!

Hello! My name is Joad B. I am a first year GTA, and I major in the Rhetoric and Writing Masters Program. I majored in English with a minor in Journalism during my undergrad, and am fluent in English. I have extensive experience writing in MLA format, as well as experience writing for news. I am extremely comfortable working on research papers, argumentative papers, literature assignments, or any other English-related assignment. I would also be happy to work on any news/feature writing assignments. I also have some limited experience working with APA formatting. Regardless of my specializations, I am happy to work on any manner of assignment with any student willing!

Camille A. Masters in Applied Linguistics/TESOL, 2027. Special emphasis on Tesol – Teaching English as a Second language. Fluent in English and Filipino, interested in studying Spanish and Japanese Languages.
I’m excited to meet different students from different backgrounds that are trying to achieve a similar goal, to be a better writer. I would love to make my students feel comfortable in sharing their writing process and collaboratively make writing more manageable.

Emile E. Has his Bachelor’s in Philosophy. Currently doing MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis on fiction. Published short story author. Born and raised in Venezuela. Fluent in both English and Spanish. Former student athlete. Taught high school senior English for four years.

David C. Masters in Applied linguistics and teaching English as a second language, 2026. Special emphasis on legal linguistics and corpus linguistics. Fluent in English and Spanish. Excited to help students find sources and write research papers.

Denton O. Masters of Fine Arts, 2025. Special emphasis in fiction. Fluent in English, studied Spanish for four years but only have a very rudimentary grasp of the language. I love cheering on students and helping to foster a love and respect for the English program.

Hello! My name is Trystan M. (he/they). I am a second-year master’s student studying English literature. I expect to graduate in May 2025. In addition to literature, I have experience with rhetoric, sociology, and political science. I have taken four years of French, but I would classify myself as a beginner because it has been a few years since I last used it.  I am excited to work with students in the Writing Center to help them be the best version of themselves in their writing.

Miles K. Creative Writing MFA, 2026. Emphasis in writing research papers for Psychology or English, or feedback for creative fiction. Fluent in English, and excited to help students learn that writing can be a fun process.

Malia L. Masters in Creative Writing, 2025. I have a B.S. in Health Sciences with a focus in Biology. I am currently focusing on writing a book of poetry.  I am fluent in English and know basic Spanish. I am looking forward to helping students develop their writing. 

I’m Harriet D., a master’s student in the Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language program. I am fluent in English, Akan, and I’m currently learning French. I thrive on helping students unlock their potential, making learning about language an enjoyable and enriching experience.

Augustine O. B.A English Language and Literature, 2019. Master of fine Arts in Creative Writing, 2026. Special emphasis on Fiction. Fluent in English and Igbo Language, learning Spanish. Excited to help students in their writings and research.

Wesley A. Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics, 2026. Bachelor of Arts in English and Portuguese Teaching, 2024. Fluent in English and Brazilian Portuguese. Excited to help students build their research through discourse!

Zach M. Masters in Applied Linguistics 2025. Fluent in English and currently learning Spanish. I am currently teaching English Composition here at NAU and am excited to collaborate with students and share my love of writing and the English language. I am most excited about helping students cultivate an improvement-focused mindset and grow their confidence in their writing abilities!

Kyra L. Applied Linguistics and TESL MA, 2026. Special emphasis in corpus linguistics, ESL, legal linguistics. I’m fluent in Dutch and I studied Spanish for 5 years. I’m excited to help students improve their writing skills and their writing confidence.

Peter, T. Masters in TESL/Applied Linguistics, 2025. Concentration in Applied Linguistics: L2 Writing, Discourse Analysis, Pragmatics and Corpus Linguistics. I really like to work with students and establish human relations first before helping them achieve their writing goals. Advanced level in English and basic level for French and Spanish.  I’m excited because I really want to be a coach, collaborator and a helper to the students

Denton O. Master of Fine Arts, 2025. Special emphasis in fiction. Fluent in English and very rudimentary understanding of Spanish. Very excited to share his passion for the written langue and show how useful it is in every walk of life.

December V. Masters in Fine Arts Creative Writing, 2025. Special focus on poetry. Fluent in English. I am excited to help students find their voice and knock down overwhelming barriers in the writing curriculum.

Em S. Masters student in Applied Linguistics, graduating 2026. Special emphasis on corpus linguistics, sociolinguistics and research methodology/ethics. Fluent in English, learning French and ASL. Excited to help students feel confident in their writing.

Karina Z. is a master’s student in Applied Linguistics and TESOL, 2026. I am interested in foreign languages, applied linguistics, research methods in social sciences, and psychology. I have a BA in International Relations and an MA in Psychology. I am fluent in English, my native language is Russian, and I can speak English and Italian. Helping students sound more persuasive in their writing and get their message across is one of my favorite things.

Justin K. Masters in English Literature, 2025. Emphasis on Modernism. Fluent in English and learning Spanish! I am excited to help students crush their goals in their courses and careers!

Daisy H. B.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2024. My interests include childhood language development, fluency disorders, and literacy development. Fluent in English, some Spanish, and currently studying Turkish. I love helping people become confident in their writing through encouragement and guidance.

Alex M. Undergraduate in English, 2025. Special Emphasis in Photography and Japanese. Fluent in English and have studied Japanese for three years. I love learning about my students and helping them with their writing.

Shelby B. I am an undergraduate Social Work major with a minor in Disability Studies, 2026. I am fluent in English and know a little Spanish. I love to read, play in the rain, and help people reach their writing assistant appointments! 

Augustus J. Bachelor in Secondary Education major with a focus in Physics 2025. Fluent in English and know a little French. I am currently teaching NAU 100 and have lots of on-campus resources. I am most excited to support students with any and all questions they may have and make them feel comfortable in the LWC.

Erica A. English B.A., 2026. Special interests in creative writing, presentations, rhetoric, and editing. I have a passion for writing and hope to enter the creative writing industry, and I look forward to helping anyone with their various writing needs!

Cheyenne M. Masters in English 2026. Focus of study: rhetoric, writing, and digital media studies. Fluent in English learning ASL. Excited to meet and work with everyone!

Augustus J. Bachelor in Secondary Education major with a focus in Physics 2025. Fluent in English and know a little French. I am currently teaching NAU 100 and have lots of on-campus resources. I am most excited to support students with any and all questions they may have and make them feel comfortable in the LWC.