Meet Our Tutors

SDSU Tutor Values Statement

At the SDSU Writing Center, we value the shared learning experience between tutors and students working as peers. We value that we help students to better understand their own writing processes and to gain confidence in their writing abilities as they work to ensure their writing is effective for varying purposes and situations. We also value the center as a creative, supportive, and friendly place for students of all backgrounds to work and learn.

Amaya

Hi everyone! My name is Amaya, and I’m a graduate student in the MCJC program at SDSU. I earned my criminology degree (with minors in sociology and political science) from Penn State and am excited to be back in sunny California! Alongside tutoring at the Writing Center, I’m involved in research on the lived experiences of incarcerated Indigenous Americans, and I also coach volleyball. Outside of school, I love reading, writing, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family. I’m really excited to work with everyone this semester!

Birdy

Hello! My name is Birdy (they/them). I am a transfer student from Monterey pursuing a Dance major, History major, and LGBTQ+ Studies minor. I grew up speaking both English and Spanish (but my Spanish is a little rusty with underuse). Writing has always been one of my passions, especially short stories and research-based essays. Writing is different for everyone, and everyone has a different experience with it. It can be difficult, but it is not impossible to learn how to become a better writer. I hope to provide tools and skills to make everyone more confident writers. In my free time, I love reading, dancing, exploring farmer’s markets, and going to the beach. I look forward to working with you!

Catelyn

Hi everyone! My name is Catelyn, and I am a student here at SDSU. I am from the Bay Area, California, and I am majoring in International Business with an emphasis in Spanish Studies in Europe. I speak both English and Spanish, and after graduation, I hope to use my Spanish skills to work abroad in either Spain or Latin America! Writing has always been a passion of mine, and my skills are particularly strong in analytical or informational essay writing, although I do enjoy narrative style work as well! Outside of academics, I enjoy doing outdoor activities like hiking or beach trips. I look forward to working with you in the future 🙂

Chloe

Hi! My name is Chloe, I am a Psychology major with a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies through the Weber Honors College, and I am also pursuing a certificate in Creative Editing and Publishing. I am originally from Arizona, although I was born in France. My first language is French, and I also speak some Spanish. I love reading and writing; it helps me relax and de-stress when I have a lot going on, and I also love helping others with their writing. Other than that, I love watching shows/movies, eating good food, and listening to music/going to concerts. I also play beach volleyball, and I am on the SDSU club beach team. I'm excited to meet you and help you achieve your writing goals!

Clara

Hey! My name is Clara, and I'm a journalism major with an emphasis in media studies and a French minor. I also speak Russian 🙂 My hobbies include writing poetry, discovering new music, and watching Seinfeld. As a San Diego native, I love to hang out in North Park, take my dog Misha to the beach, and listen to local bands perform at house shows and smaller venues in the area. My dream career would be working for an arts magazine as a features writer/editor, focusing on writing music/album reviews and investigating the connections between art, culture, and social issues within our community. As a tutor, I especially love helping students with rhetorical analysis, writing thesis statements, and creating outlines, but I am well-versed in helping students with all kinds of writing and assignments! I hope that I can be someone who makes a positive impact on you as a writer and your writing process.

Ed

Hi! My name is Ed and I’m in the teaching credential program after finishing a double major in English and Music education at SDSU. I grew up in Ireland, but I've lived in San Diego for most of my life. This is my first year at SDSU and I’m really looking forward to collaborating with other students on their writing. My favorite authors are J.R.R. Tolkien, Stephen King, and Charles Dickens. Although I enjoy fiction, I’m usually reading autobiographies or something related to music. Outside of school, I play saxophone and other instruments in several bands, playing anything from jazz to rock. As someone who has benefited greatly from programs like the Writing Center, I understand how much of a difference they make and I want to be there for students in the same way.

Elena

Hello! My name is Elena, and I am currently completing my undergrad as a Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences major with a minor in Child Development here at SDSU. My main academic interests include psychology, linguistics, and creative writing! A big goal of mine is to learn as many languages as I can- I currently know English, Spanish, Portuguese, and a little French and ASL. In addition to my love for writing, I enjoy playing soccer, going out with my friends, and having fun beach days. I'm looking forward to meeting and working with you!

Eliana

Hey everyone! My name is Eliana (Ellie-ah-na), and I'm an English major and French minor. I have always loved to write, and one of my hobbies outside of class is writing poetry. I mostly write free-verse poems, but I'm always trying to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and write more form poetry. I'm also passionate about fitness, as I love going to the gym, dancing, swimming, hiking, etc. I look forward to meeting you and working on writing together! 🙂

Emilia

Hello! My name is Emilia (they/them) and I am a journalism major with an emphasis in public relations. Learning the relationship between celebrities, their brands, and the public is super interesting, so that's what I hope to do in the future. I am from Los Angeles, and I live near the beach. Some of my interests include listening to One Direction, trying new pasta, and coaching track and field when I go back to my hometown. Writing has always been a big part of me, back when I was writing cringey stories in middle school. I totally understand how hard it is to write and articulate thoughts onto paper, so I'm here for you!

Ian

Hi! My name is Ian Peyghambary. I’m a Journalism and Media Studies major with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Rhetoric and Writing Studies. I have experience with writing in many different fields, and I look forward to furthering them with you. I always value creativity, and I try to apply it to all aspects of my life, especially writing. When it comes to my interests, I love all things music and have a growing CD collection. I also play the guitar in my free time. I’m excited to work with you all and develop our writing skills together!

Izzy

Hello!! My name is Izzy, and I'm an undergrad student majoring in International Business in Spanish and Latin America. I'm also a board member of an a cappella group here at SDSU called Sirens of State! (Feel free to check us out!) Some interests of mine include musical theatre, singing, reading, and writing. I also really enjoy playing the ukulele and guitar, as well as crocheting. (There is definitely room for improvement, but I still enjoy those activities nonetheless.) English is my first language, but I know a bit of Spanish. With that said, I hope to see you here in the Writing Center soon!

Jimena

Hi everyone! My name is Jimena, and I am a graduate student in the English program. I am from Modesto, CA, and I earned my B.A. in English and Ethnic Studies at CSU Stanislaus. I worked as a writing tutor for two years at CSU Stanislaus. I grew up speaking both Spanish and English, and I enjoy speaking both languages with writers! Some interests of mine include reading, writing, listening to indie and pop music, and watching reality TV. I look forward to working with you!

Kylie

Hi! My name is Kylie (she/her) and I am a graduate student in the M.A. in History program. I am completing a Concentration in War and Society and a graduate certificate in Public History as well. Originally from San Diego, I completed my B.A. in History and a minor in Sociology at Westminster University, a private liberal arts school in Salt Lake City, Utah. I also worked at the Writing Center there and served as one of the Assistant Directors. In my free time, I like to play Stardew Valley, bake or cook with my sisters, and antagonize my dog Widget. I'm looking forward to working with you!

Lydia

Hi, my name is Lydia. Born and raised in South East Asia! My areas of expertise include crisis communication and public diplomacy. I am now pursuing a master's degree in rhetoric and writing. If you find writing difficult, do not give up. Writing is a lifetime endeavor. In the end, we all need to learn adaptability and how to continually reflect as we take on new writing projects throughout our studies/careers. With any luck, I hope to demonstrate to you all the value of writing as a life skill that will advance your academic and professional lives. Outside of school, I enjoy taking trips. I am a city dweller as well as a wilderness enthusiast. I love eating as well. Please feel free to mention your favorite restaurants and travel destinations!

Madi

Hello everyone! My name is Madi Saylor, and I am part of the MFA program for Creative Writing here at SDSU. Before starting this program, I spent four years at SDSU working towards my B.A. in English and French, and in this time, my love for reading and writing only grew. I love all types of writing, but I will be pursuing fiction and writing my first novel as a part of the graduate program. Aside from my academic and literary pursuits, I am a huge fan of crime and medical TV shows such as Criminal Minds, Chicago Med, and 9-1-1. I also have a little cat called Frank, and I love to show people pictures of him, so if you are ever interested, I would be happy to show him off. I am so grateful to join the SDSU Writing Center as a tutor and to be able to share with other students my passion for writing and language. I look forward to working with you all!

Olivia

Hi, my name is Olivia, and I am an English major with a minor in marketing. I am originally from San Francisco, and some of my favorite activities to do while I am in the city include trying new cafés, wandering around all of the different districts, and attending Outside Lands Music Festival annually. Some of my other hobbies include collecting vinyl, cycling, painting, going to concerts, and, of course, writing. More specifically, I love to journal and write poetry. I look forward to working with you and improving our skills together!

Rachel

Hi everyone! My name is Rachel and I'm a graduate student in the History department. I have a B.A. in International Relations from UC Davis, where I worked on campus as a writing tutor. I spent the last few years teaching English in Madrid. Outside of school, I enjoy going to the beach, hanging out with my friends, traveling, and eating delicious food. I'm excited to work with you to become a more confident writer!

Saghi

Hello everyone! My name is Saghi, and I am a graduate student in the Sociology Master's program! I did all of my undergrad here at SDSU, majoring in IS3D with an emphasis on Rhetoric Writing Studies, Humanities, and Sociology with a minor in Women's Studies. I am fluent in both English and Farsi, and I hope to become some sort of teacher in the future. I love writing (obviously, lol), playing violin and piano, and listening to music (mostly BTS and classical music)! I'm very excited to work with you in a dialogical manner and hope to assist you in writing more meaningfully. :>