Ghada Gherwash, PhD., Director, Farnham Writers’ Center; Assistant Professor of Writing.
M.A., Appalachian State University
Ph.D., Purdue University
Courses:
WP112: Writers’ Workshop
WP113: Conversation Hour for International Students
WP115E: First-Year Writing: Writing Through the Multilingual Lens
WP/EN214: Tutoring Writing in Theory and Practice
Angie Liu (Head Tutor, Community Outreach)
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2022
Hometown: Henan, China
Major(s): Chemistry-Biochemistry
Minor(s): Environmental Studies
Interests: Besides being a FWC tutor, I am also a CA, a CCAK mentor, and a proud member of the Colby Mock Trial. When I am free, I enjoy reading a good mystery novel, going on a short hike, cross-stitching, and watching a random movie. I am excited to return to the FWC and work with her peers!
Ellen (Siyuan) Pan (Head Tutor, Staffing & Scheduling)
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2022
Hometown: Beijing, China
Major(s): English, French
Minor(s): Japanese
Interests: On campus, I am also a Chinese tutor and participate in research about nineteenth-century French female poets. Usually, you can find me on the first or third floor of Miller, depending on how many essay deadlines I have. Among various fictional works, I am a big fan of Fullmetal Alchemist, Person of Interest, and Star Trek (a really weird combination).
Riley Kelfer (Head Tutor, General Operations; Available to Tutor Creative Writing)
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Class Year: 2022
Hometown: Sherborn, Massachusetts
Major(s): English
Minor(s): Cinema Studies
Interests: Hi there! Shameless infodump ahead. I’m — reading: David Foster Wallace, Shirley Jackson, Suttree (~10 pp./mo.) — watching: Altman, A24, Satoshi Kon — listening to: Pinegrove, Phoebe Bridgers, Charli — playing: Celeste, SoulSilver, Doom (‘93) — writing about: Speedrunning, P. T. Anderson, Antebellum lit.
Aakanksha Chandrashekaran
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: India
Major(s): Global Studies, History
Interests: Hello! I am from India and currently live in Dubai. Ironically, I love reading tragedies but love watching rom-coms. I refuse to ever say no to maple syrup and hate the cold weather (do you see my dilemma of living in Maine?).
Alex Badger
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Westborough, Massachusetts
Major(s): Global Studies
Interests: I am super interested in politics, baseball, and comic books.
Alex Martel
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: North Andover, Massachusetts
Major(s): Environmental Policy, Economics with a Concentration in Financial Markets
Interests: Some of my favorite things to do at Colby are making big wood small wood with the Woodsmen, skiing with friends, and hiking around Maine.
Alexis McCauley-Pearl
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: St. James, New York
Major(s): Environmental Policy
Minor(s): Mathematics
Interests: Knitting, reading, sleeping, skiing, hiking, cooking, baking.
Alice O’Neill
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Medford, Massachusetts
Major(s): Government, Spanish
Interests: When I’m not in class, I spend my time singing in the Colbyettes (you should check us out!), watching true crime documentaries on Netflix, and hanging out with my dog. I’m really excited to be a part of the FWC this year and I can’t wait to help people improve their writing!
Anna Compson
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts
Major(s): Psychology
Minor(s): Creative Writing
Interests: Hi! I’m a lover of hiking and outdoors. I’m obsessed with cheap rings. I’m also a big fan of hanging plants but am terrible at remembering to water them.
Bret Miller (Private)
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Class Year: 2022
Hometown: Andover, Massachusetts
Major(s): Computer Science
Minor(s): Mathematics
Interests: Hi, I am from Andover, MA (Yes, 30 minutes outside Boston). I am a Computer Science major and also a member of the Men’s Lacrosse Team. I can be found in the Athletic Center or in the Davis Computer Lab, quite often late at night. I love helping students find their storytelling voice in their writing. If you like numbers, computers, writing or anything in between, I am your guy!
Carly Levinsohn
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
Major(s): Computer Science
Interests: At Colby, I am involved in the Student Programming Board, the Colby Symphony Orchestra (playing violin), and the Waterville Junior High School Coding Club as a computer science mentor. I also love to read, swim and be with my dog Luna (pictured above).
Chioma Ezuma-Ngwu (Available to Tutor Creative Writing)
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2022
Hometown: Norfolk, Massachusetts
Major(s): Computational Psychology
Minor(s): Creative Writing
Interests: In addition to being a writing center tutor, I am a CCAK mentor, a board member of the Colby African Society, and the co-president of Vuvuzela. In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to music, dancing, and writing. I am passionate about being a writing center tutor and am excited to help students feel more comfortable with their writing skills.
Chloe Simms
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Major(s): Psychology, Neuroscience
Minor(s): German
Interests: Hello, my name is Chloe Simms, and I would love to help you improve your writing. As a tutor, I would describe myself as unintimidating, honest, and friendly. I enjoy tutoring because I am genuinely fascinated to read other people’s work– it’s a great way to learn more about subjects I would not normally encounter, and a great way to learn more about others’ viewpoints. So, please, come to the Writing Center! You won’t regret it.
Cynthia Zafiris
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Major(s): Computer Science, History
Interests: I enjoy drawing, reading books, watching TV, or basically anything slightly nerdy. Outside my job as a writing tutor, I’m also a member of the Symphony Orchestra. I’m excited to get to know you and talk about writing!
Diana Guzman
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: New York, New York
Major(s): Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biochemistry
Minor(s): Japanese
Interests: Outside of class, I spend most of my time watching anime, reading, or bumping volleyballs at the Colby club volleyball practices. I look forward to working with you at the FWC this year!
Drew Burke
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: North Andover, Massachusetts
Major(s): Economics with a Concentration in Financial Markets, Government
Interests: Men’s Ice Hockey team, Waterville Humane Society, spending time on the beach with my dog, and golfing.
Elana Alevy
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Carlisle, Massachusetts
Major(s): Geology
Minor(s): Astronomy
Interests: Pursuing planetary geology, reading an abundance of books, studying small rocks, hiking big rocks, playing percussion, and swinging on flying trapeze
Elle Hankin
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Major(s): Environmental Policy
Minor(s): Art
Interests: In my free time, I enjoy hiking, wildlife photography, and reading. I am also a member of the Women’s Soccer team. I am very excited to be a part of the Farnham Writers’ Center staff this year!
Emma West
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Westborough, Massachusetts
Major(s): Government
Minor(s): English, Managerial Economics
Interests: During my writing career, I have been a tutor, co-editor in chief, copy editor, writing fellow, and AP Lit nerd. When I am not glued to the Red Sox game, I enjoy watching the other Boston sports teams, as well as being active on campus as an Intramural Sports Commissioner, member of the Mock Trial team, and member of Colby Votes.
Florence Kane
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia
Major(s): Psychology, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Interests: Running, crossword puzzles, Taylor Swift
Georgia Dettmann
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2022
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Major(s): Environmental Policy
Minor(s): Economics
Interests: When I’m not working for the admissions office or playing club volleyball, I’m usually scooping ice cream at Bobs or “studying” in DavisConnects. I’m really excited to help with all different kinds of writing, and I can’t wait to be a part of the FWC this year!
Gina Park
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Wayne, New Jersey
Major(s): Economics, Math Sciences with a Concentration in Statistics
Interests: Aside from being a writing tutor, I am a TA for Intro to Stats and a CCAK mentor. In my free time, you can usually find me talking with my friends, hanging out with dogs, drinking Dunkin iced coffee, or making TikToks. I love helping people with their writing and am looking forward to working at the FWC!
Halle Carroll
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Major(s): Anthropology
Minor(s): English
Interests: I am really excited to be working at the FWC both to help others become better writers and also learn to be a better writer myself! I have always loved writing and am considering a career as a journalist someday. Some of my other interests are badminton, dogs, music, and hanging with friends!
Hannah Weil
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Major(s): English, Government
Interests: Mock Trial, Colby Outing Club, Improv, Mediocre, CCAK, and dance parties!
Ike Anderson
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Manchester, New Hampshire
Major(s): English
Minor(s): Italian
Interests: I was born in California and then moved to Japan, North Carolina, Hawaii, and then New Hampshire. I am a Wide Receiver on Colby’s football team, and I plan on becoming a teacher after I graduate.
Isabella Marin
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Rye, New Hampshire
Major(s): Global Studies, English
Interests: On campus, I am involved in programs such as Best Buddies, the Pen Pal Program, and the Public Voices Initiative. I also work as a Copy Editor for Outside Colby and a tutor for the Remote Learning Coach Program.
Jonnie Hughes
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Rockville, Maryland
Major(s): Computer Science
Interests: I like rapids, heights, and cramped spaces.
Julie You
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Shenzhen, China
Major(s): Economics and English with a Concentration in Creative Writing
Interests: Hi there! This is Julie (Yue You), an Econ major student who maintains a true passion for creative writing, music, art, and theatre (isn’t it weird that no one in Colby has done a quintuple major before?). To me, writing is like any other forms of art in which we can choose to express or to hide, to argue or to support, to vent or to have fun with. As the saying goes, if you can write it freely, you can write it seriously. (Interesting!)
Katharine Dougherty
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2022
Hometown: Winchester, Massachusetts
Major(s): Psychology, Education with a course concentration in Spanish
Interests: When not going to class or playing tennis for the Colby Women’s Tennis team, you can find me exploring Maine outdoors whether that means skiing at Sugarloaf, canoeing the Kennebec, or hiking Tumbledown Mountain.
Lindsey Merolla
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2022
Hometown: New Bedford, Massachusetts
Major(s): Economics
Minor(s): English
Interests: Aside from tutoring, I am a member of CCAK, Colby Dancers, Colby Economics Club, and Artists Society. In my free time, I like to design t-shirts for various Colby programs, write poetry, and play piano, along with following YouTube workouts.
Maya Sachs
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Rockville, Maryland
Major(s): History, Computer Science
Interests: Soccer, singing, eating
Michelle Kennedy
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Westport, Connecticut
Major(s): Biology with a Concentration in Ecology and Evolution
Minor(s): Chinese, English
Interests: When I am not swimming with the AquaMules, you can find me in the spa or in Miller drinking a cup of coffee. I am so excited to be working in the FWC this semester and meet new people!
Mira Patla
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Bedminster, New Jersey
Major(s): Philosophy
Interests: I’m passionate about music. On a typical day, you would probably find me with a few friends either wandering through the Arb or getting lost driving—whatever the case, good music, and positive vibes are a guarantee. I can’t wait to meet you at the FWC!
Misia Delgado
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Lebanon, New Hampshire
Major(s): Government, Chemistry
Interests: In my free time I enjoy singing with my friends, playing on the ultimate frisbee team, and skiing in the mountains of New England.
Natalie Foster
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Northfield, Massachusetts
Major(s): English with a Concentration in Creative Writing, Art History
Interests: When I’m free, you can find me practicing with the Colby Dance Company, writing articles for Colby’s chapter of Her Campus, or buying a chai latte at the Mary Low Coffeehouse! This is my first year working at the FWC and I’m excited to do my best to help my peers improve their writing!
Nicki Chaput (Available to Tutor Creative Writing)
Preferred Pronouns: any pronouns
Class Year: 2022
Hometown: Huntington Beach, California and Des Moines, Iowa (it’s complicated)
Major(s): English with a Concentration in Creative Writing
Minor(s): Cinema Studies, East Asian Studies
Interests: I am a huge cinema and animation nerd and love anything sci-fi or fantasy. When I am not writing stories or watching cartoons, I am usually drawing, taking photos, or dancing. I enjoy all types of writing, but I especially love creative writing pieces and research papers.
Rowan Karpa-Wilson
Preferred Pronouns: He/him + They/them
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Novato, California
Major(s): English with a Concentration in Creative Writing
Interests: Some might say that being partially illiterate should disqualify one from majoring in English and working writing jobs. I strongly disagree. I love poetry, green tea, hiking, Studio Ghibli movies, and working at the FWC. Come say hi!
Sam Fisher
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Class Year: 2022
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Major(s): Economics
Minor(s): Chemistry, Religious Studies
Interests: On-campus, I am a member of the COOT Committee, Fall Chair on the Student Programming Board, and am the treasurer of Colby Hillel. Super psyched to get back to tutoring this semester!
Sam Franklin
Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Cohasset, Massachusetts
Major(s): Undecided
Interests: Camping, hiking, fishing, music, guitar, traveling, cooking, reading, writing.
Samantha Miller (Private)
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Sharon, Massachusetts
Major(s): Environmental Policy, Psychology
Interests: Outside of the writing center, I am on the frisbee team and am a CCAK mentor. I am a big fan of any outdoor activity—especially hiking, biking, and paddleboarding. As an avid reader, I have always loved writing and am excited to work with you!
Sophie Fink (Available to Tutor Creative Writing)
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Duluth, Minnesota
Major(s): English with a Concentration in Creative Writing
Minor(s): Educational Studies
Interests: I love walking around and exploring new places, swimming in my favorite swimming holes, writing stories, reading sci-fi and fantasy books, and listening to audio dramas. I also dance as part of the Colby Contra Dance Club. Other fascinations include: black holes; waterfalls; and Imperial Russian history.
Tara Goday
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Major(s): Government, Environmental Policy
Interests: I play piano and viola! I love to cook and spend time outdoors with my friends, especially hiking and swimming!