The Writing Center is staffed by graduate instructors and undergraduate peer tutors. Our graduate instructors have received highly competitive fellowships and assistantship awards that fund their work in the Center. Our undergraduate peer tutors have been nominated by Catholic University professors and then selected after a rigorous review and interview process. All Writing Center staff undergo extensive and ongoing training.
Writing Center Instructors
CAROLINE CHASE
Caroline is a first year MA/PhD student at Catholic U. Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, she attended Belmont Abbey College, where she received a degree in Great Books and a minor in Theology through the college’s Honors Program. Caroline presented her undergraduate thesis on Christian themes in Shakespeare’s Hamlet and is looking forward to continuing her studies and growing her passion for investigating the intersection between faith and literature.
JEANNE-MICHELLE (MICHELLE) DATILES
Michelle is a PhD candidate (ABD) in History primarily interested in religion, women, and the law in late medieval and early modern Britain. Currently writing her dissertation on female Catholic networks during the English Reformation, she has taught in the History Dept. (The Tudors and the English Reformation) and the Intensive English Program. A highlight of her PhD journey has been summer research trips to England consulting manuscripts in London, Oxford (in aeternum floreat), and York for her dissertation project. She has a background in philosophy (BA, CUA) and law (JD, New York Law School), and is a CUA IHE graduate scholar. Her academia page can be found here. She is also the Writing Center Coordinator.
Writing Instruction Specialties: prewriting and organization; argument cohesion and development; feedback on thesis and dissertation chapter drafts; law school applications (personal statements).
ABBIE MOUREY
Abbie is pursuing an MA/PhD in English at CUA. She graduated in May 2025 with her BA in Literature from Patrick Henry College, and upon graduation received the Literature Award for her scholarship, leadership as editor-in-chief of the major's literary journal, Westmarch, and mentorship of other students in her program. Abbie has experience as a freelance editor, and she has been published by Westmarch, Cicada: Literary Magazine, and The Hyacinth Review, with other publications forthcoming. Originally from New York's Finger Lakes region, Abbie now splits her time between DC and Michigan, with her family and grumpy Min Pin mix, Wilson.
SUMEEYA CHISTY MUJAHID
Sumeeya starts her fourth year this semester in the doctoral program at NCSSS. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Women’s Studies from Hampshire College Amherst, MA, a master’s degree in Education from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA, and an Education Specialist degree in Community Counseling from The George Washington University, in Washington, DC. Sumeeya greatly enjoys teaching and has taught at a private school in Karachi, Pakistan, as well as undergraduate and graduate students at Hampshire College and Harvard University.
MEGAN SCOTT
Megan is an MA/PhD candidate in CUA's English department. She graduated from the University of Dallas with a double-major in English and Politics, and subsequently obtained her MA in Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN) where she worked as the editorial assistant of Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture. Engaging both the Christian tradition and modern and contemporary phenomenology, her research focuses on the epistemological, constitutive potentials of poetic speech, particularly, the way in which poetry may be thought of as mediating and disclosing realities that transcend the imminent and visible—that which we (apparently) “cannot speak about”: time, nothingness, death, mystical experience, and God. She has presented papers at several literature and philosophy conferences, engaging a diverse array of thinkers including St. John Henry Newman, Simone Weil, St. Augustine, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and T.S. Eliot. Her primary area of literary interest is modernist poetry and poetics.
Writing Instruction Specialties: interdisciplinary work (Philosophy and Literature); brainstorming; thesis and argument development.
ABIGAIL (ABI) SELL
Abi is a first-year MA/PhD student in the CUA English department. Abi is from the beautiful state of Kentucky, where she attended Berea College and received a BA with a double major in Spanish and Music. As an undergraduate, her faith was deeply informed by encounters with professors and authors such as C. S. Lewis and Thomas Merton. After college, Abi worked in non-profit roles that ranged from interpretation services to ESL education at a bilingual school in Honduras. As a language teacher, she realized the importance of narrative and aesthetics for teaching literacy. This inspired her to revisit her own love for literature through graduate studies. Her primary research interest is the intersection of theology with poetry and imaginative fiction.
JUSTIN TALKINGTON
Justin Talkington is an MA/PhD student in CUA's English Department. For a while, he has resided in Virginia. He attended George Mason University for his undergraduate degree. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a minor in Religious Studies (graduated with Honors). For the last several years, Justin has been developing his career in both education and teaching. His current interest is in 20th century literature.
Writing Instruction Specialties: concision; argumentation; structure.
JOSEPH TETI
Joseph is an MA/PhD candidate in CUA's English department, whose research interest is the intersection of Renaissance poetry and Platonism. A Hyattsville native, he completed a BA cum laude in English at Hillsdale College, where he was president of the philosophy honorary (ΦΣΤ), led a poetry workshop, and too many book clubs. His poems have been published in numerous small, Christian journals, including CUA's own.
Writing Instruction Specialties: argument condensation; History of Philosophy; Poetics; English Literature.
EMILY TURNER
Emily Turner is an MA/PhD student in the English Department. Originally from Minnesota, Emily attended undergrad at the University of Mary in North Dakota where she studied English and History. Emily has worked in a variety of industries including marketing, archives, event planning, and table-top gaming. Before moving to D.C., Emily taught high school Language Arts in rural Minnesota and received a Graduate Teaching License through the College of Saint Scholastica. Her research interests include all things medieval as well as the tradition of the epic and Arthurian literature. She is also the Writing Center Outreach Coordinator.
Writing Instruction Specialties: English Literature; Education; prewriting and argument development; citations.
Undergraduate Peer Tutors
ELLIANA ARNOLD
Elliana is a senior English Secondary Education major with a minor in Writing. She is passionate about helping students and has served as a mentor through programs like DC Reads, the Washington English Center, and Teach for America. On campus, she serves as the Business President of Redline A Cappella, the Managing Editor of The Tower, and a Co-Captain for the Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team. She loves traveling to new places, drinking chai while reading novels outside, and writing fiction while listening to music, and she is excited to help students become more confident in their writing!
FELIPE AVILA
Passionate about the power of language, Felipe brings a wealth of real-world communication experience to his role as a writing tutor. As Director of Communications for the National Association of Pro-Life Nurses, he's a dedicated advocate for healthcare professionals, amplifying their voices in critical conversations about abortion and maternal care. His journey in advocacy began with Students for Life of America, where he served as a prominent spokesperson. Felipe's work has placed him at the forefront of national media discussions, sharing insights on platforms like NBC News, Fox News, The Daily Wire, and Telemundo. His commentary has been featured in publications including National Review, The Daily Mail, and Inside Higher Ed. As a writing tutor, he empowers students to express their ideas effectively and persuasively, drawing upon his own experiences in advocacy.
AMELIA (MILLIE) BAMSEY
Millie is a senior Economics and Finance major and English minor. This is her third year working in the Writing Center and she especially loves helping people polish resumes, cover letters, and research papers. Around campus, she is also involved in campus ministry, the Cardinal Closet, The Tower, and the Cornerstone program. Her favorite book is Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
ELLY BEAVERS
Elly is a senior Psychology B.A. major, and she is pursuing a career in clinical psychology. She is a member of the Cornerstone Program, the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and the Psychology Club at Catholic. She is also a mentor for other students in the Cornerstone Program and the Psychology Club. She has a passion for writing, and she hopes to help many students grow as writers as a tutor in the Writing Center at Catholic.
MIA BELDNER
Mia is a senior double majoring in Politics and Psychology with minors in English and Philosophy. On campus, she is actively involved with the Mock Trial team, serves as the Managing Editor and Layout Editor of Inventio, and works in the Office of Student Engagement. Mia loves reading and is passionate about all things law-related. After graduation, Mia plans to attend law school and continue exploring her interest in the legal field. As a tutor, Mia hopes to help writers grow more comfortable with the writing process and more confident in their writing skills.
CATALINA CASARELLA
Catalina is a junior English major with minors in Peace and Justice Studies, Writing, and Philosophy. Aside from the Writing Center, she is a part of the University Honors Program and The Tower student newspaper. She loves creative writing, in particular poetry; singing with friends, exploring the outdoors, traveling, and discovering new music. Her favorite part of tutoring is getting to know students through their ideas. She is passionate about the fact that writing can help people to better understand themselves and hopes to explore this in her future career. Catalina is excited to help students expand their ideas through discussing their writing and gaining confidence in the writing process."
JANE COCHRAN
LYDIA GRIFFIN
Lydia is a junior double majoring in English and Philosophy. With an adamant love of both literature and education, she hopes to become an English teacher post-college but only after a brief interlude of traveling. Having volunteered for the Special Olympics for nearly a decade, she plans to become certified in Special Education and to continue working closely alongside students with intellectual disabilities. With a deep respect and admiration for Thoreau, she intends to inspire the students she tutors to write “deliberately”, just as Thoreau advised all to live, and to foster a genuine appreciation for how writing connects all of us to the world, beyond merely the academic one, and each other.
CAITLIN HERNANDEZ
Caitlin is a senior Elementary Education major with a minor in Marketing. In addition to working at the Writing Center, she is a member of Redline A Cappella and the Filipino Organization of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). She is passionate about a lot of things, like playing the piano and eating coffee ice cream, but she especially loves writing and helping others. She can't wait to see all the friendly faces that pop into Mullen 219!
ISAAC KROM
Isaac is a senior Philosophy and Mathematics major. His study of two analytical disciplines influences his approach to writing, helping him to focus on structure and logical cohesion. Isaac is involved in the IHE Undergraduate Program, Take Note Acapella, and the Cornerstone Student Advisory Board.
GRACE MEISENHELTER
Grace is a junior from West Chester, Pennsylvania pursuing a Politics Pre-Law major with a Writing minor in the University Honors Program. On campus, she is a campus ministry retreats team coordinator, CSC Service Site Leader, and campus ministry small group leader. She loves lectoring for campus and Basilica masses, reading, and exploring DC. Her hope as a writing center tutor is to help students feel confident in their ability as a writer and love writing!
SHARON (CHERIE) SABINI
Cherie is a senior from Springfield, Missouri, pursuing an English major with minors in Italian Studies as well as Peace and Justice Studies. On campus, Cherie is part of the University Honors Program and the President of CUA’s chapter of HerCampus, a online national women’s journal. She is also the Vice President of the Italian Club and a site leader for Bethlehem House, a service site through Campus Ministry. Cherie loves to read just about any sort of fiction, but has a particular affinity for Austen’s Persuasion. As a tutor, she hopes to foster a connection with each and every individual she serves in the Writing Center, thus fostering more positive relationships between students and their writing on campus!
CYNTHIA (CINDY) VIGNA
Cynthia, also known as Cindy, is a senior English major with minors in Politics, Pre-Law, and Sociology. She is from North Jersey and loves writing poetry. She serves as an Ambassador for the School of Arts and Sciences, an Orientation Advisor, and a member of the University Honors Program. After graduation, she hopes to attend law school. As a tutor, she most enjoys helping students become more confident as writers. She appreciates how writing gives people from all backgrounds a voice to share pieces of themselves with those around them.