Meet our Writing & Speaking Advisors

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Χαιρετε! (Hello!) I’m Ainsley, and I’m a Philosophy major with an English minor—but I also have a lot of experience in GQS and GLAM. I’m originally from Memphis, TN, but I now call Tacoma my home. I love all things philosophy, literature, and myth, especially when it relates to social justice and feminist issues. This past summer, I went to Greece and ended up curating a museum dedicated to Ancient Greek women’s lives. I’m a proud member of the Ubiquitous They Sketch Comedy team and love acting in my spare time. In my time here, I want to focus on empathy-based peer mentoring that will not only help your grade, but will help your relationship with writing as a whole. I’m so excited to meet you!

Major: Philosophy
Minor: English

Hours: Sunday (1-3 p.m.), Monday (3-5 p.m.), Tuesday (10 a.m.-noon), Thursday (4-6 p.m.), Friday (11 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Pronouns: he/him

Hey! I'm Albert, a senior pursuing a Communications major, with a PG/Chinese/Asian Studies minor. I'm from the Bay Area and a proud Posse scholar. Catch me at The Trail writing news stories, drinking a latte at Divs, or trying to loosen up at the fieldhouse gym!  Whether you need support on a paper or just want to chat, I'm game to talk about anything. Let's chat about traveling (I just studied abroad on PacRim), basketball (Go Warriors), good food, or anything journalism related. I'm super excited to be a writing advisor here at the CWL and can't wait to meet y'all. Cheers!

Hours: Monday (10 a.m.-noon), Tuesday (7-9 p.m.), Wednesday (11 a.m.-noon), Friday (10-11 a.m.)

Hello! My name is Alyssa, and I’m a senior majoring in history and minoring in music. I’m from Des Moines, Iowa, and I love living in Tacoma. Outside of the CWL, you can find me playing piano or trumpet in the music building, crocheting, or being a silly goose in the Ubiquitous They sketch comedy troupe. I’m super passionate about writing, and I am excited to make the process as enjoyable as possible for you!

Hours: Sunday (3-6 p.m.), Monday (2-3 p.m.), Wednesday (1-3 p.m.), Thursday (10 a.m.-noon & 2-3 p.m.)

Hey there! My name is Campbell and I am a Sociology and Anthropology major with minors in Crime, Law, and Justice and Global Development. I'm from Denver, CO but I love living in Washington!! Outside of studying I'm usually drinking coffee, hiking, and being on the water. I'm happy to help brainstorm, edit, or chat through a paper and I can't wait to meet you all so swing by!

Hours: Monday (4-6 p.m.), Tuesday (9-10 a.m. & 3-5 p.m.), Thursday (2-4 p.m.)

Hi! My name is Devon and I am a senior double majoring in English (with an emphasis in Creative Writing) and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. I am from Pleasant Hill, California and although I love Washington, half my heart will always belong to the Bay. When I'm not in Wyatt or Divs you can find me in the dance studio choreographing or rehearsing for RDG! Drop by and talk to me about books, writing, music, dance, or anything else you are passionate about! I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Hours: Sunday (5-7 p.m.), Tuesday (4-6 p.m.), Thursday (9-11 a.m.)

Pronouns: they/them

Hi everyone! My name is Dominique and I'm a junior from San Diego, CA. I'm a Molecular and Cellular Biology and Neuro-philosophy major, and I'm involved with the honors program. Outside of class, I work for Elements and KUPS (graphic design is my passion), and you can find me subjecting snails to research and committing the worst parking jobs on campus. I'm looking forward to working with you!

Hours: Sunday (Noon-2 p.m.), Monday (6-7 p.m.), Wednesday (9-10 a .m. & 6-8 p.m.)

Pronouns: he/they

Hey there! My name is Drew Benoit and I am a senior from the Chicago suburbs. I am majoring in Sociology and Anthropology, with a minor in History. This is my third year with the CWL, and I’m excited to keep working at the best job on campus. I’m also the Editor-in-Chief of The Trail, our student newspaper. When I’m not working, you can probably catch me at the Grand Cinema! I’m excited to help you with your essays, speeches and classes! 

Hours: Tuesday (5-6 p.m.), Wednesday (10-11 a.m. & 7-9 p.m.), Thursday (4-6 p.m.)

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hi! My name is Ishaan, I’m a junior majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology, minoring in Bioethics and Politics & Government, and actively neglecting my social life. You can reliably find me hunched over a lab bench in Thompson, writing satirical articles for The Trail, or being goofy with the Ubiquitous They Sketch and Improv troupes. This is my second year at the CWL, and I’m so excited to work with you!

Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
Minors: Politics & Government, Bioethics

Hours: Sunday (8-9 p.m.), Monday (4-6 p.m.), Tuesday (7-9 p.m.), Wednesday (11 a.m.-noon), Friday (11 a.m.-noon)

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hello! My name is Marisa, I am a junior majoring in Sociology and Anthropology, minoring in Biology, Spanish, and Global Development Studies. I’m also involved in Sin Fronteras (the Latinx identity group), and the Pre-Health Club. I’ve worked as an RA and as an instructor’s assistant for BIOL 111 labs here at Puget Sound. I have lived in Tacoma my whole life! I love the PNW and getting to explore it with my friends. I also love to read, watch movies, travel, paddleboard, go on long walks with my dog, and play pickleball. I’m excited to meet and work with other Puget Sound students at the CWL!

Hours: Monday (7-9 p.m.), Thursday (11 a.m.-noon & 7-9 p.m.), Friday (2-3 p.m.)

Pronouns: he/him/his

Howdy! My name is Mattias, and I’m a senior from Seattle, Washington. I’m pursuing a major in History and a minor in Education. I love listening to music (especially jazz), reading the newspaper, and playing Mario Kart with friends. Drop in whenever you’d like to chat about music, movies, the last good book you read, or anything you’d like. I’m honored and excited to be a Writing & Speaking Advisor, and I can’t wait to work with you!

Major: History
Minor: Education

Hours: Monday (Noon-2 p.m.), Wednesday (1-3 p.m.), Thursday (2-3 p.m.), Friday (Noon-2 p.m.)

Hi everyone! My name is Maya and I’m a sophomore from Rocklin, CA majoring in English with a Creative Writing Emphasis and Sociology/Anthropology. I hope to explore a career in creative writing and literature, possibly in academia! I’ve previously worked in mental health activism, so a lot of the things I want to share focus on a balance between mental wellness and academic success. On campus, I’m a member of Ubiquitous They sketch and am so happy to work as a barista at Lillis Cafe. My free time is spent with friends, cooking, and with any animals I can find on campus! I can’t wait to meet you :)

Hours: Sunday (7-9 p.m.), Monday (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), Friday (Noon-2 p.m.)

Pronouns: he/him

Hey! My name is Mercer. I'm a junior IPE & Economics double major and Spanish & Mathematics double minor from Niwot, Colorado. I keep pretty busy with Track & Field, The Trail, and, of course, tutoring in the CWL. I'm also a casual lover of musical theater, Magic the Gathering, and climate advocacy. I look forward to meeting you and chatting about your writing and speaking! Stop by the center anytime.

Hours: Sunday (2-4 p.m.), Monday (8-9 p.m.), Wednesday (3-4 p.m.), Thursday (7-9 p.m.)

Hey! My name is Oliver and I am a sophomore majoring in Philosophy from Los Angeles, CA. I play in Jazz Strings on campus, have a radio show, and am involved in Crosscurrents, our campus’ literary magazine. I love horror movies and am always down to talk about David Cronenberg or David Lynch or whoever your favorite David is. I am also all ears for a good book rec or your favorite sandwich from the sub (this second one is especially important to me). Looking forward to you stopping by!

Hours: Monday (9-10 a.m.), Tuesday (1-3 p.m.), Wednesday (9-11 a.m.), Friday (9-10 a.m.)