Meet Our Tutors
Amanda Muledy ‘13 
Major: English
Academic Interests:
Literary theory, the American Civil War, Russian literature, feminist issues from the 1970s to the present
Tutoring Philosophy:
There’s nothing like proudly turning in a paper. I think all students should know that feeling. I hope to help my peers write essays they are excited to hand to their professors.
Leadership and Involvement:
Honors Fellow, Carnegie Writing Scholar, Phi Theta Kappa Scholar, All-College Writing Contest Winner 2011-12.
Artie Foster ‘14
Majors: Communication and Art History
Academic Interests:
20th Century Modernist Art, 21st Century Contemporary Art, Effects of Media on Society
Leadership and Involvement:
Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Reid Music Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship.
Tutoring Philosophy:
I’ve come to truly value the importance of a well-constructed outline and pre-writing as a first step in the writing process.
Biz Hyzy ‘14
Majors: English and Theater
Academic Interests:
Ray Bradbury stories, short stories, performing in comedies, possibly performing in dramas, improvisation, Arthur Rackham illustrations, and David Downton illustrations
Leadership and Involvement:
Theater, Honors Fellow, SNAP archivist, SNAP president, peer mentor.
Tutoring Philosophy:
I want my clients to feel accomplished and proud of their work when they leave a session they had with me.
Cleo Hehn ‘13
Training Assistant
Majors: Studio Art
Academic Interests:
American nature writing, public sculpture, mythology and religion, women in art, film noir, and outdoor education
Leadership and Involvement:
WMXM Radio (PSA Director), Choir, Art Club, 2010 Richter Scholar.
Tutoring Philosophy:
One’s writing can always improve with a little work and determination!
Colin Willis ‘13
Lead Tutor
Majors: Psychology and Business
Academic Interests:
The effects of work environments (training, people, physical resources, policies, etc.) on how people think about and do their work. Similarly, I’m interested in how language shapes our perception of reality, particularly in popular media. I also find the biological and neurological components to these topics very intriguing.
Leadership and Involvement:
LFC Aikido Club, Resident Assistant, Trustee Scholarship, Gate Leadership Program, invited to join the Richter Scholar Program.
Tutoring Philosophy:
I believe education is the most important practice in civilization, yet it is woefully unsupported relative to other social programs. Therefore, I spend what time and energy I have on supporting any institution of education. I love the experience of opening someone else’s eyes to new ideas and practices.
Elizabeth Bulley ‘15
Majors: Elementary Education and English
Academic Interests:
Renaissance History, Shakespeare. Anything related to Education, Writing, Literature.
Leadership and Involvement:
Alpha Phi, Circle K, Volunteering with North Chicago School Programs, Honors Fellow, Richter Scholar, First-Year Writing Contest Honorable Mention 2011-12
Tutoring Philosophy:
Tutoring should not just be about working with a student on one assignment. For me, it is about helping peers gain confidence in their writing abilities.
Emily Thomas ‘13
Lead Tutor
Majors: Sociology and Anthropology
Academic Interests: Feminism and gender construction, derivatives (and sometimes integrals) in calculus, and Greek mythology
Leadership and Involvement:
SWAN Business Rep., PRIDE Official Ally, Writers’ Guild, The Ally Program
Tutoring Philosophy:
I enjoy working with clients on outlining because it allows us to organize thoughts and maximize the effect of the client’s ideas. Winner First-Year Writing Contest, 2010-11.
Erin Lins ‘13
Majors: International Relations and Spanish
Academic Interests:
U.S./Mexico Relations, Immigration, and Latin American Culture.
Leadership and Involvement:
International Student Organization, Spanish Table, Honors Fellow, Member of Phi Sigma Iota, Presidential Scholar, And Foreign Language Scholar.
Tutoring Philosophy:
I enjoy writing analytical academic papers rather than creative papers because the assignment is specific, and I know exactly what is expected of me. I especially like writing in Spanish because I love the language, and it is more challenging than writing in my native tongue.
Hannah Speck ‘15
Major: English
Academic Interests:
French language, women’s and feminist studies, 20th century literature, dramatic literature
Leadership and Involvement:
TRU, theater, Women’s Chorus, dirt-biking, Honors Fellow, Richter Scholar, Carnegie Writing Scholarship
Tutoring Philosophy:
I hope to help build client’s skills and confidence with regards to writing.
Jody Buck ‘13
Training Assistant
Majors: Neuroscience and English
Academic Interests:
Human genetics and Behavioral Psychology.
Leadership and Involvement:
Varsity Basketball, Club Rugby, Intramural Sports, Alpha Phi, Student Ambassador, FCA, Athletic Council, Eukaryon, SYNAPSE, Honors Fellow, Presidential Scholarship, Johnson Science Scholarship, FCA Executive Board, Forester Guide
Tutoring Philosophy:
There’s nothing better than putting time and effort into a paper and being excited to turn it in because you know how hard you worked on it! I want everyone to have this feeling with every paper they write. I believe everyone has unlimited potential when it comes to writing, you just have to keep working at it.
Kaitlin Macanowicz ‘14
Majors: English and Psychology
Academic Interests:
Creative Writing (Prose) and Self-identity.
Leadership and Involvement:
Student Ambassador, Peer Mentor, Volunteering, Honors Fellow, National Honors Society
Tutoring Philosophy:
My favorite genre to write is short fictional stories. I enjoy learning to adapt my writing style to the different forms of essays.
Madeeha Khan ‘12
Writing Assistant
Major: English
Academic Interests:
Specifically digital and graphic art, printmaking, bookbinding, new media literature, South Asian, East Asian, and European history. In more general terms, any academic field that allows for creative expression, introspective research and exploration, philosophical appreciation, and psychological penetration. In short, I love to learn.
Leadership and Involvement:
Tusitala, MSA, Writer’s Guild
Tutoring Philosophy:
I believe that any skill can be mastered with patience, perseverance and an open mind and I know the Writing Center will always strive to be a place for students to gain the confidence needed to master this skill. I am very happy to be a member of a team working toward the goal of bringing students together to support each other in this way. And if there was one thing I wish all of my clients would take away from a session, it would be to remember and celebrate the fact that they are in control of their own writing and that the Center is only here to guide and push you in your quest to master the art of writing well.
Mariana Green ‘14
Majors: Theater/Education
Academic Interests:
20th Century Acting, Dramaturgy
Leadership Involvement:
Concert Choir, Theater, Pride Organization, Patterson Academic Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, Dean’s List
Tutoring Philosophy:
I came in with what I thought was an excellent paper, but my professor had made comments all over it! At the Center, my tutor helped me see and understand where and why my paper could improve. I felt a lot better coming out of the appointment knowing why my professor gave me the comments he did. This is what I hope to do for others.
Maya Beckles ‘13
Training Assistant/Writing Assistant
Majors: Theater and Sociology & Anthropology
Academic Interests:
Performance studies, transforming rituals and literature into performance and globalization studies
Leadership and Involvement:
Theatre, Cheerleading, Choir, Umoja, SWAN, Winner, First Year Writing Contest 2010
Tutoring Philosophy:
I really love to write and read; hopefully, I can help other students get excited about writing a great paper for a class as well.
Peter Jansen ‘13
Writing Assistant
Major: English
Academic Interests:
Political Theory & How/Why our government came to be.
Leadership and Involvement:
Ultimate Frisbee, Honors Fellow, Student Academic Advisory Committee for the English Department.
Tutoring Philosophy:
I am especially interested in essays that explore the overall betterment of society.
Ryan Vlaar ‘14
Majors: Environmental Studies and Biology
Academic Interests:
Botany, Environmental Writing, Agricultural Sustainability, Cross-disciplinary study.
Leadership and Involvement:
Lambda Chi Alpha Education Chair, Slow Food Exec Board, LEAP, ISO, Carnegie Writing Scholar, Presidential scholarship, Honors Fellow, Dean’s List, Peer Mentor Program, Research assistant for Environmental Studies, Campus Sustainability Committee, Student Government Senator ‘10-‘11.
Tutoring Philosophy:
Expository papers are my favorite genre because the finished product is often very gratifying. I really enjoy when unexpected opportunities arise, like when a professor submits your paper to Eukaryon. My favorite piece is “Teaching a Stone to Talk” by Annie Dillard, but I’m also a huge fan of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and John Gardner’s Grendel.
