Writing Center Staff
- Eric Vrooman (Writing Center Director)
- Monse Perez Barrios (Team Leader)
- Lexi Combs (Team Leader)
- Riley Erb (Team Leader)
- Patrick Stonecipher
- Bryn Swiston
- Aiya Jorde
- Corina Occhiato
- Greta Nyberg
- Gabe Maurer
- Andrew Escoto
- Isabella Delaney
- Clare Koll
- Elizabeth Orton
- Emma Adjei-Ababio
- Charlie Juaire
- Emerson Milby
- Aubrey Kosters
- Jack Raway
- Elliot Steeves
- Lillian Grim
- Brigette Ruacho Colonel
- Christian Ash
Eric Vrooman
Education: M.F.A., Fiction Writing, UNC-Wilmington; B.A., English, Carleton College
Interests: Film, fiction writing, screenwriting, tennis, Scrabble, Wiffleball, pastry
Favorite Writers: George Saunders, Danielle Evans, Kurt Vonnegut, Toni Morrison, Haruki Murakami, and Lydia Davis
Courses I Teach: Reading in the World: Crime & Punishment, Introduction to Creative Writing, Writing Fiction, Writing Creative Nonfiction, The American Novel, IEX travel courses, Sports Writing
Monse Perez Barrios (Team Leader)
Class of 2024, Political Science, Environmental Studies and Art Majors
What's one of your favorite words, and why?
I love SO many words it was super difficult to choose one!! I recently spent some time in a small village in Mexico. Rain was an everyday event that reminded me of a beautiful word. Petrichor– this word comes from greek and is the combination of “stone” and “ethereal blood of the gods.” Anyway, it is used for the way the earth smells after it rains. I don’t know about you but I love the smell of grass after it rains!
What's your favorite punctuation mark, and why?
I think is pretty obvious after reading my answer to the question above. I love a good exclamation mark! I cannot imagine my life without exclamation marks!!! They are super fun to use and can be quite helpful when you are trying to convey emotion. I mean who doesn’t like to use exclamation marks?
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
I really enjoy brainstorming and researching! Looking for resources is fun and a good way to read things that you will never look for intentionally. I like brainstorming and doing research because I get so much knowledge that I know will be useful for my writing piece or the future.
Which is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
For me, the hardest part of the writing process is to start. I know! sometimes is just really hard to put all your thoughts and information together in only one paper. I tend to have so many ideas about what to write that I overthink too much and have trouble getting started or I end up going over the word limit.
What languages do you speak?
I speak Spanish and English. My Japanese is not that great but I am getting there. I also know some Portuguese and I am going for French.
Bryn Swiston
Class of 2025, Political Science Major, Communications, Spanish, and LALACs Minors
What is one of your favorite words, and why?
It's a little odd, but one of my favorite words is "margarine" because I feel like it would be the most beautiful name if I could have claimed it before synthetic butter spread was invented.
What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the editing process the most. I love having the words on the page and then just sitting back and making it all come together in an original way.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
For me, the hardest part of writing is researching. I find it easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of information available.
What languages do you speak?
I speak English and Intermediate Spanish.
What is your favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert is my grandma's raspberry wine cake! She makes it every summer in August and in addition to tasting amazing, it is the essence of summer and holds happy memories for me.
Alexandra Combs (Team Leader)
Class of 2024, English Major, GWSS and Comparative Literature Minors
What is one of your favorite words, and why?
One of my favorite words is "library" because it's a bit of a mouthful!
What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most?
My favorite part of the writing process is revising because it's the easiest part for me; once the paper is written, I can easily proofread and edit it.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part of the writing process for me is to get started--the blank page is my worst enemy.
What languages do you speak?
English and a little Spanish.
What is your favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert is tres leches cake.
Riley Erb (Team Leader)
Class of 2024, English Major, History Minor
What is one of your favorite words, and why?
I have so many favorite words, but I love the word "hiraeth," which means yearning for a home you can't return to or maybe never was; a longing for lost places that we can't return to. I also love the word "defenestrate," or the act of throwing someone out a window :)
What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the research phase of writing the most since I can learn new things, gather my thoughts, and feel productive without physically writing my paper.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Getting started is the hardest part of any writing. The white Google Doc void is terrifying, it just stares back at you...
What languages do you speak?
I only speak English, but I am learning French.
What is your favorite dessert?
The lemon ice smoothies from Culvers are heavenly. I love raspberry flavoring!
Charlie Juaire
Class of 2026, Statistics Major, Spanish and Geography Minors
What's one of your favorite words, and why?
My favorite word is "serendipity" because I love the way it sounds and the meaning of finding positive things by chance.
What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most?
I love the structuring process where I take all of my ideas and put them into the order that works the best for my writing.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part for me is revising because I often get attached to the work I have already done and it can be challenging to change it.
What languages do you speak?
I speak English and an intermediate level of Spanish.
What's your favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert is my family's chocolate cherry cake! I make it for almost every birthday and holiday.
Gabriel Maurer
Class of 2024, Environmental Science and Political Science Major, Geography Minor
What's your favorite word?
Done
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
Intro Paragraph/Thesis Crafting
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Avoding filler words
What languages do you speak?
English, German (semi-fluent)
What is your favorite dessert?
"The Dessert"
Elliot Steeves
Class of 2024, English Major, Political Science Minor
What's one of your favorite words, and why?
My favorite word is probably indisputable--I like things to be rather simple, so if something is indisputable, it means there is no debate. It's also cool sounding.
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
I most enjoy researching and writing the body--this is the part where I can go a little bit freeflow, and don't have to worry quite as much about structure.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Shortening my sentences to be as direct as possible is often quite painful, since I like big words and expression.
What languages do you speak?
I speak only English, although I have a tiny bit of Latin knowledge in my belt.
What's your favorite dessert?
Coffee and donuts. Coffee-flavored donuts are a close second.
Brigette Ruacho Coronel
Class of 2026; GWSS, Spanish and LALACS Majors, with a Minor in English
What's one of your favorite words, and why?
My favorite word is "definitely", I'm not sure why but so like saying it.
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
The part I enjoy the most about the writing process is when I'm writing everything out I have all the perfect words to use and I can think of better word choices.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part of the writing process for me is getting started just because I feel like I can put it off and I'd still be able to get it done somehow (I get no sleep).
What languages do you speak?
I speak English and Spanish.
What's your favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert is Carlota especially the lime flavored one.
Aiya Jorde
Class of 2024, English Major, Theatre Minor
What's one of your favorite words, and why?
Mochi. It's just cute.
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
The flow state of writing when every word seems to spew from the fingertips
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Procrastinating when the idea/beginning of the paper isn't "perfect"
What languages do you speak?
English and Japanese
What is your favorite dessert?
Prinsesstårta (Princess Cake)
Lillian Grim
Class of 2024, English and Film Majors
What is one of your favorite words, and why?
I love the word "wretched" because you can feel the effect of the word. It is so fun to say and is such a perfect descriptor.
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
My favorite part is writing the initial draft. Once I finally get into the flow, I get an insane adrenaline rush as I spill all my ideas onto the page.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Conclusions are the hardest for me. It's difficult to find an ending that encapsulates everything I've written.
What languages do you speak?
English and a basic understanding of French
What is your favorite dessert?
Macrons! Especially citrus flavored ones. Sooooo good.
Andrew Escoto
Class of 2026, Biology and Political Science Majors
What is one of your favorite words, and why?
One of my favorite words to say is "kerfuffle" It's just such a fun word to say
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
really enjoy writing my first draft, especially after I have a solid plan for the paper
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part of the writing process for me is getting started, it's always a struggle to type those first couple of sentences
What languages do you speak?
I speak two languages, English and Spanish.
What's your favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert is strawberry cheesecake.
Greta Nyberg
Class of 2025, Political Science Major, Spanish Minor
What's one of your favorite words, and why?
I really like the word "exquisite" because it is so fun to say. It also reminds me of my mom because she says it all the time!
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
I really enjoy researching about my topic because it's when I start to connect with it and the direction I want to take becomes more clear. I also really enjoy revising because it's very encouraging to me. I read through what I have and feel proud of the hard work I've put into a paper or writing assignment. It's very rewarding!
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
My least favorite part is brainstorming what I want to focus on. Writing assignments always feel so daunting to me in that stage of the process because it feels like there is SO much to tackle, and it can be overwhelming. This is also where I tend to procrastinate the most!
What languages do you speak?
I speak English and I am learning Spanish!
What is your favorite dessert?
There are so many but I love ice cream and french silk pie!
Clare Koll
Class of 2025, English Major
What's one of your favorite words, and why?
One of my favorite words is “bedazzled.” The word itself sounds like it’s sparkling!
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
My favorite part of the writing process is creating an outline. I enjoy seeing all my ideas laid out and then moving them around before I start writing.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Definitely getting started. There’s nothing more overwhelming than a blank page. Sometimes I start a new paper at the bottom of an old one just so I don’t have to stare at a completely white screen.
What languages do you speak?
I speak English and a little Norwegian, and I’m pretty good at translating Latin.
What is your favorite dessert?
Pumpkin bars! I’m especially fond of cream cheese frosting.
Emmanuella Adjei-Ababio
Class of 2026, English & Physics Majors
What's one of your favorite words, and why?
One of my favorite words is " to hopelessly hope in the seemingly hopeless hope". It is a line in one of my poems that speaks to me the most.
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
I dread and enjoy the brainstorming process the most. It is also the hardest part of the writing process for me.
What langauges do you speak?
I speak English and Twi.
What's your favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert pastry is cheesecake.
Aubrey Kosters
Class of 2025, CALT (Communication Arts and Literature Teaching) Major, Communication Studies Minor
What is one of your favorite words, and why?
Reverie (noun) rev·er·ie: the condition of being lost in thought. I love the strength of the letter sounds as well as the meaning of the word.
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
Brainstorming! Another one of my favorite words. I love the metaphorical potential energy that I feel during the brainstorming phase. The possibilities are endless!
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I find the revision stage to be the most difficult. As a perfectionist writer, I find that there is always something to improve upon.
What languages do you speak?
English
What is your favorite dessert?
I love a warm brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge- bonus points for a cherry. My mouth is literally watering.
Elizabeth Orton
Class of 2025, Communication Studies Major, Management Minor
What's one of your favorite words, and why?
I like the word "plethora" because it is fun to say and I learned it from a TV show as a kid.
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
I like to brainstorm and map out my thoughts. This helps me feel organized, productive, and confident at the beginning of the writing process.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I always seem to have a hard time reviewing and editing my work. I don't love re-reading my work, but I can learn a lot from it.
What languages do you speak?
I speak English and some German!
What is your favorite dessert?
I love all desserts! Anything with lots of sugar!
Corina Occhiato
Class of 2026, History and Spanish Majors, LALACS Minor
What's one of your favorite words, and why?
Ubiquitous
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
Brainstorming
What languages do you speak?
English
What is your favorite dessert?
Coffee Ice Cream
Christian Ash
Class of 2024, English and Financial Economics Majors
What's one of your favorite words, and why?
My favorite word is "tesseract." It reminds me of reading A Wrinkle in Time as a kid.
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most?
My favorite part of the writing process is making the final edits and revisions to a piece. It’s the drafting that’s most difficult for me.
What languages do you speak?
Currently only speak English.
What's your favorite dessert?
A good apple pie beats every other dessert.