Our Writing Center is comprised of professional staff and current Saints to help you at any part of your writing journey! Click around to learn more about us, and see how you can join us!
Peer Tutoring Staff
AYLEY
Ayley is a Senior English Major from Corinth, New York. She entered into Siena as an English Education Major. Ayley later decided to pursue her Bachelors in English, and her Masters in Education through Siena as well. Ayley’s love for English has been strong dating back to High school where she had a teacher change her perspective on English as a whole. She has previously worked at another writing center at SUNY Adirondack where she got her Associates in Liberal Arts with a concentration in English. This helped her gain a greater love for helping people grow in their writing journey. She often spends her free time drawing, reading, and spending time with her family. She loves to learn and help others throughout their academic journeys. After completing her Undergraduate degree in English, Ayley plans to pursue her Masters in order to pursue her love of teaching for grades 7-12!
Brenna (she/her)
Brenna is a senior English major at Siena, with minors in both writing communications and psychology. Growing up in upstate New York, 30 minutes away from the Canadian border, Brenna has become quite acclimated to upstate winters. When the time comes, she enjoys skiing and snowboarding at her home mountain of Whiteface. Upon entering University Brenna was initially undecided. However, that gave her a handful of opportunities to explore a plethora of disciplines within Siena’s curriculum. Brenna is thrilled to be working in the writing center and aims to help students find their own love of language, and see just how versatile and important communication and rhetoric can be across disciplines. When she’s not in the writing center you can find Brenna in the gym, spending time in the sun or at home with her housemates!
Hailey
Hailey is a senior Environmental Studies major in the Pre-Law program. Outside of the writing center, she also coaches gymnastics to preschoolers. In her free time, she enjoys hiking or running with her rescue dog, Harley. She hopes to pursue a career in environmental law following her time at Siena, and she is very excited to be joining the writing center this year!
Jameson (she/her)
Jameson is a senior English major with a minor in Writing and Communications. She has been working as a peer tutor at the Writing Center for three years now. She loves meeting new people and helping student writers across all disciplines from political science to neuroscience. When she’s not at the Writing Center, you can usually find her tucked in a corner of the SSU with some sort of sweet beverage. She enjoys listening to music, watching documentaries, and when she’s not reading for class you can find her reading for enjoyment. Some of her favorite books include Normal People by Sally Rooney, I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, and The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
Kaitlyn (she/her)
Meet Katie! Katie is the Writing Center’s graduate assistant and a student in Siena’s Childhood and Early Childhood Education master’s program. Working in the Writing Center since the fall of 2023, Katie strives to empower student writers by fostering engaging and collaborative tutoring sessions where students feel comfortable expressing their ideas and trying new writing techniques. In addition to working in the Writing Center, Katie works for Student Activities as a Saints Camp Leader and Orientation Leader. When she is not in the Writing Center, Katie can be found journaling in Nigro Plaza, shopping at T.J. Maxx, or rock climbing and swing dancing with friends.
Kassondra (She/Her)
Kassondra is a Senior double-majoring in English and Adolescent Education. She is very excited to be working as a tutor at the writing center. Kassondra has her A.A.S in Veterinary Science Technology from Alfred State College. She grew up in South Glens Falls but currently lives in Lake George. As a commuter, transfer student and adult learner, Kassondra recognizes how unique every student's educational journey is and utilizes that mentality in her teaching and tutoring style. Outside of her life at Siena, Kassondra enjoys reading romantasy novels, watching her favorite tv shows over and over again, and spending time with her 4 spunky kitty cats and her rescue dog, Diesy. A few fun facts about Kassondra: her favorite movie is Avatar: The Way of Water, she travelled abroad to London and Paris in 2018, and she could eat Chicken Parm almost every day if she had to.
Kyle (he/him)
Kyle is a junior Political Science major in the Pre-Law program, with minors in Writing & Communications and Criminal Justice. After coming into Siena Undecided, he has found his passion to be in areas where he can help serve others, whether that be as a hopeful lawyer or as a Community Assistant, tour guide, and tutor on campus. While writing wasn’t always his favorite subject, he has come to gain an appreciation and enjoyment for it after sharpening his skills during freshman year. During his free time, Kyle enjoys watching movies, reading comic books, and keeping up with current events. He hopes to be able to help uplift writers of all levels as they work through navigating the writing process by providing his own perspective and support.
Leah (She/her)
Leah is a Senior Political Science major with a Writing and Communication minor and Pre-Law certificate. On top of working at the writing center, she currently runs a small crochet business and works as a telephone interviewer at the Siena Research Institute. In her free time, you can find her crocheting, drawing, playing video games, eating tasty food, or shopping with her friends. She hopes to pursue a career in law following her college years, and is excited to continue working at the Writing Center this semester!
Liz
Liz is a junior communications journalism major with a minor in writing and communications. Born and raised in Columbia County she loves exploring the Capitol Region and discovering new restaurants to try and trails to hike. Growing up in a small farm town she obtained a love for all animals at a young age. Currently she has two cats, a dog, chickens, a tortoise and a pet pigeon named Frank. She is not only passionate about creating compelling narratives, but also connecting with students, and fostering an environment for growth. As a communications journalism major Liz enjoys gaining new perspectives and knowledge on current day issues. With experience in community building, helping others find their strengths and develop their skills is a job she finds most fulfilling. She is thrilled to work with other students here at the Writing Center and continue to cultivate a safe and welcoming environment centered around learning.
Maura (She/They)
Maura is a current junior English major at Siena! She uses she/they pronouns and is from a small town in Connecticut. In her spare time, Maura enjoys listening to music, reading, hiking, as well as taking spur-of-the-moment car rides with friends. Aside from being a Saint Orientation Leader in the fall, on campus they are involved in GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance), Double H Club, and Ultimate. Maura strives to craft a welcoming atmosphere in the Writing Center that is comfortable for all visitors no matter their writing style or skill level. This is Maura’s second year at the Writing Center and they are very excited to keep the good energy going!
Sarah (she/her)
Sarah Masih is a senior Biology major on the pre-med track at Siena. While most of her classes revolve around science, she has always enjoyed writing, especially the process it takes to get from an unfinished idea to a finished piece. As a tutor, Sarah hopes to help students work through their ideas, find their own voice, and feel more confident in their writing along the way.
Outside of the Writing Center, Sarah is the oldest of four siblings, which has taught her a thing or two about patience and good communication. She enjoys reading different genres, listening to music, travelling, and spending time with family and friends. She is bilingual and currently learning a third language. Her love for helping and connecting with others is also part of what led her toward medicine. As a local commuter from Loudonville, Sarah can usually be found somewhere around Siena when she isn’t heading home, most likely recovering from a long biology lab.
Sherrice
Hi! I’m Sherrice, a senior English Education major. I love helping people feel more comfortable and confident with their writing. I especially enjoy brainstorming, organizing ideas, and creative writing. You don’t need to come in with a perfect draft—or even a draft at all! I’m happy to meet you wherever you are in the writing process and help you develop your ideas without losing your unique voice. In my spare time, I enjoy working on my Spanish and Korean, writing poetry, reading, and playing my instruments.
Simon (he/him)
Simon is a senior Computer Science major who has always enjoyed writing both in and outside of school. He grew up in Niskayuna, New York — just a short drive from Siena. He has 2 cats, and his hobbies include playing guitar and piano, hiking, and rock climbing. He is very curious about many different subjects, and believes that asking questions and bouncing ideas back and forth is the best way to help other writers. This is his second year as a Writing Center tutor, and he can’t wait to meet new people and collaborate with students in the Siena community.
Vesper (They/Them)
Vesper Sawyer is a junior English major at Siena. Coming from Walworth, New York, they love the quaint atmosphere of Siena as it reminds them of home. They have been a lover of writing since they were young, when they would write their own short stories inspired by the books they immersed themself in. This passion carried into adulthood, and they wish to share it with the students of Siena via tutoring. Alongside tutoring, they hope to expand their writing capabilities through their creative projects, such as the novel they are working on at present. Outside of writing, Vesper also enjoys reading, drawing dragons, and riding horses. They are even a member of Siena's own equestrian team! Feel free to ask them about their favorite books, or your questions about horses!
professional staff
Ryan Orr, MFA(he/him)
Ryan Orr has been teaching writing at the university level for more than fifteen years. His tutoring approach focuses on process-based perspectives and human connection. He lives in the capital region now, but he has traveled in four different countries and lived in eight different states. When he's not teaching or tutoring he's usually parenting his two kids, splitting firewood, reading, or running.
Meg Manchester, M.Ed. (she/her)
Meg Manchester has been working in education for the past 10 years at both the high school and university levels. She received her Bachelor's degree in History from Siena University in 2014 and went on to earn her Master's in Education in 2017. Meg's tutoring approach centers on helping students build confidence in their own voices while expanding their natural skills through constructive feedback, collaboration, and encouragement. By focusing on growth rather than perfection, she aims to empower students to become more independent, effective communicators both in and beyond the classroom. A lifelong Capital Region resident, Meg currently lives in downtown Albany. When she’s not working, you can find her playing golf, disc golf, or enjoying just about any outdoor activity.