Quinn Hughes (he/him)

FYS 318: Through the Eyes of Children
Professor Rice-Defosse

Hello! My name is Quinn Hughes (He/Him) and I am a junior (‘26) from Villanova, Pennsylvania. I am a double major in Biology and French & Francophone Studies. This is my first year on the SWLC team, where I will be a W-CAT for the FYS: Through the Eyes of Children. As a tutor my goal is to provide a safe space where we can collaborate together at any point in the writing process. Writing is just that… a process, so no matter where you are in your writing journey, I hope to be an active listener and provide support to you as you explore and engage with new parts of yourself as a writer. Outside of class I very much enjoy reading and watching movies, so I am always excited to talk about any good recommendations (recent reads: The Handmaid’s Tale and The Alchemist, recent watches: Rocky and Back to the Future). I equally enjoy being outside. Hiking, running and exploring new areas in Maine are a welcome adventure for me. I look forward to working with and getting to know each of you this semester!

Kevin O’Connor (he/him)

FYS 434: Remaking Movies
Professor Cavallero

Hi, my name is Kevin O’Connor. I am the W-CAT for FYS 434: Remaking Movies: Art, History, and Politics. I am a senior from Milford, Massachusetts. I am a double major in politics and rhetoric. This is my second year as a W-CAT! I am a member of the Bates Men’s Track and Field team as a sprinter. As someone who came into college with poor confidence in my writing due to prior challenges, I look forward to assisting in the development of writing and confidence for first years. I hope to be a useful resource that is understanding to the students and somebody that the students feel comfortable communicating their challenges with.

Aggie Schnee (she/her)

FYS 447: Holocaust on Stage
Professor Vecsey

Hi everyone!! I’m Aggie (she/her) and I’m a sophomore from Brooklyn, NY. This fall, I’m a W-CAT for Kati Vecsey’s FYS Holocaust on Stage, the course I took for my FYS! I am an intended sociology major, and am so excited to get to know everyone through the writing center this semester. I hope to be a reliable and supportive resource for anything writing-related or beyond. I can’t wait to pass down all that I’ve learned about college level writing and continue to hone my own skills. When not in the writing center, you can find me hanging out outdoors, studying with friends at the Ronj, or pursuing a new hobby which changes constantly (current is rock climbing). See you in the PLC!

Inez Johnson (she/her)

FYS 475: Theorizing the Ku Klux Klan
Professor Petrella

Hi everyone! I’m Inez (she/her), and I’m a senior double majoring in Sociology and Politics. I grew up in Texas and Montana, and have loved being in Maine these past few years at Bates! This is my third year working in the SWLC as a W-CAT, and I am so excited to get to know a new group of first-years in my FYS and support their college writing. My hope is to make the SWLC feel approachable and fun — catch me there or in Commons (probably by the ice cream machine). I can’t wait to see all of y’all soon!

Michelle Htut (she/her)

FYS 505: Stem Scholars (Section B)
Professor Hill

Hey! I am Michelle (she/her), a W-CAT for FYS STEM Scholars. I am currently a sophomore here at Bates College planning to major in Neuroscience with a minor in Chinese Language. I am a Burmese student from New York City. I love watching musicals, listening to rock bands and decorating my room. I am on the e-board for the SEAS (Southeast Asian Society). I am very much trying to get back into reading novels so any recommendation is highly appreciated! I also really really love to listen to and help people so feel free to come talk to me about anything from course work and writing assignments to your hobbies or your interests! I am looking forward to meeting you all! 🙂

Catalina Passino (she/her)

FYS 510: Creativity Theory and Practice
Professor Sale

Hi, my name is Catalina (she/her/hers); I am a junior from Leesburg, VA. This year, I am happy to be working in Professor Sale’s, Creativity: Theory and Practice. As a tutor, I value empathy, growth, and a collaborative/conversational atmosphere. My priority is you and your goals as a writer. We are all growing as learners, and I emphasize that there is no need to come into SWLC with a polished draft. I am happy to work with you at any stage of the writing process.

At Bates, I major in Psychology and minor in Gender and Sexuality studies. My love for em dashes and Oxford commas is neverending, and I will most definitely encourage you to incorporate those into your writing. Outside of class, you can find me editing for The Bates Student, napping, or volunteering myself to bake a four layer cake.

Stella Simonds (she/her)

FYS 532: Arts and Spirituality
Professor Longsdorf

Hi everyone! I’m Stella Simonds (she/her) and I’m a sophomore from Westchester, NY and a Biology and Religious Studies double major. I am also involved in Multifaith and JSU at Bates and am a certified scuba diving instructor. This semester, I will be a W-CAT for the Arts & Spirituality FYS with Professor Brittany Longsdorf. I am really looking forward to helping out with my FYS and getting students to connect with their writing on a more emotional and deeper level. I have been tutoring for three years and I’m excited to continue doing so at Bates. I can’t wait to watch you all grow as writers!

Chloe Dwinal (she/her)

FYS 543: Buddhist Pilgrimmage and Tourism in Asia
Professor Melnick Dyer

Hey Guys! My name is Chloe Dwinal (she/her), I am a senior from rural Southern Maine looking forward to being your W-CAT for Buddhist Pilgrimage and Tourism in Asia with Professor Melnick Dyer. I am a First-Gen, Religious studies and Psychology major, who speaks elementary French and is learning American Sign Language.
What excites me most about being a tutor is seeing my peers light up by explaining who they are, their connection to the writing assignment, and finding that “aha” moment.
Writing, no matter the prompt or style, is a personal language. Your writing should express who you are and your personality.
My goal is to build a positive relationship between the writer and their assignment through a conversationalist based process and confidence building.

Dylan Rozalski (they/them)

FYS 548: Queer Gender Race and Writing
Professor Rand

Hello! My name is Dylan Rozalski (they/them). I’m a sophomore from Western New York and I plan to major in Politics with a French minor. One fun fact about me is that I’m a runner and completed my first half-marathon last spring. This semester, I’m working as a W-CAT for Queer Gender, Race, and Writing with Dr. Rand. This is my first year as a tutor at SWLC, but I’ve spent the past three years working at a writing-based summer program for kids and teens. My intention as a tutor is to create a relaxed and encouraging environment built on mutual respect. I’m looking forward to getting to know the students I’ll be working with this semester!

Mikayla Burse (she/her)

FYS 559: Art of the Short Story
Professor Anthony

Hi there! My name is Mikayla. I’m a Junior from Rumford Maine (“Rumfid” if you’re a Mainer), and this is my second year being a W-CAT. As a tutor, I am optimistic about helping first years in need of writing support. I’m excited to get to know them and their interests, and to be a part of their writing journey. I strive to be an advocate for the students I tutor, in hopes of making them feel confident in their abilities as writers. We’re all in this together! I stage manage shows for the theater department, I work in the scene shop, and if you were on campus this past summer, you’ve probably seen me on campus giving a tour or two. If you can’t find me in PLC, you can find me in the Martin Andrucki Black Box Theater working or on the quad reading a book and enjoying the fresh air.

Sherlin Perez Gonzalez (she/her)

FYS 561: Poets as Seers
Professor Hardy

Hi guys, I am Sherlin Perez Gonzalez a sophomore from Phoenix, Arizona and this is my first time being a W-CAT. This year I have the privilege of meeting and supporting Professor Myron Hardy’s Poets as Seers FYS! Although I am a W-CAT I plan on majoring in BioChemistry with a minor in Chinese. At Bates I’ve taken classes like Perspectives on Education, Creative Non-Fiction Writing, and Tell Me Your Story which was my First Year Seminar. Besides academics I speak Spanish fluently so if you are having trouble expressing yourself in English I understand you completely but don’t worry I can help! In my free time I enjoy journaling and spending time with my family especially with my younger brother because I help him practice catching the ball. Feel free to come up to me and ask questions. Don’t be shy or embarrassed I’ve asked for help many many times :).

Owen Gammill (he/him)

FYS 563: Political Theories of Violence and Nonviolence
Professor Gilson

Heya my name is Owen (class of 2026, he/him), I am a double major in Politics and Environmental Studies. I hail from a small island in the northwest corner of Washington State. I am involved in all things music and outdoors here at Bates! I love my 95 lb. yellow lab Oscar, cooking and growing food, and listening to banjo-heavy songs. This is my first year as a W-CAT – I am super excited to work with Professor Lisa Gilson in Political Theories of Violence and Nonviolence and learn alongside fellow students. I became a confident writer by working closely with a few teachers. They helped me reframe writing as a tool to articulate, a tool to create, and a tool for change. I hope to bring their same energy to my time as a tutor and work collaboratively with fellow writers to get inspired and energized about writing.

Avery Welch (she/her)

FYS 565: Multimodal Composition
Professor Page

Hi everyone! My name is Avery and I’m a WCAT for FYS 565: Multimodal Composition with Professor Lydia Page. I’m currently a sophomore majoring in Psychology and minoring in Education. I’m from the Bay Area and have been tutoring various subjects since my junior year of high school. I’m super excited to get to know you all as not only writers but people. I hope to create a space where students feel comfortable to come for support or even just to chat. I can’t wait to help you all adjust to life at Bates and watch you grow as writers and people, see you soon!

Emily Barnes (she/her)

FYS 567: Neurocognitive Processes in Decision Making
Professor Kim

Hi! My name is Emily (she/her) and I am a senior double majoring in Neuroscience and English with a minor in Chemistry. I am from Bolton, Massachusetts, and this will be my first year as a writing tutor. I am very excited to work with the first years in FYS 567 (Neurocognitive Processes in Decision Making) and watch them grow as writers throughout the semester. In particular, I am looking forward to assisting their transition of learning how to write about science while appealing to a wide variety of audiences. I hope to be an honest, open, and encouraging resource that students feel comfortable reaching out to. As someone who was once a first-year, I know it can be nerve-wracking to go to the SWLC and ask for help. However, it is such a great resource. I can’t wait to meet everyone and have a great semester!

Maddie Kemp (she/her)

FYS 569: Medieval Modern
Professor Boomer

Hi! My name is Maddie, and I am a senior here at Bates originally from Bethesda, Maryland. I study Politics and History/Criticism of Art and Visual Culture. This semester is my second year in the SWLC, and I am a WCAT for the Medieval and Modern FYS! Outside of my academics, I am a captain on the women’s rowing team and avid painter and artist. Last fall, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy, and love to travel. Last summer, I worked at a political communications firm and explored our nation’s capital. A few fun facts: I love the New York Times Mini Crossword and am left-handed. So excited to work with you this semester!

Hanna Ranis (she/her)

FYS 571: Gender Without Borders
Professor Lim

Hi everyone! My name is Hanna Ranis (she/her) and I am from Croton-On-Hudson, NY. I am a sophomore planning to major in politics and history with a public health concentration. This year I will be working as a W-CAT for the FYS Gender Without Borders: A Transnational Odyssey. I worked with writing tutors a lot during my first year at Bates and found it helped me expand how I think and write. I hope to be a similar approachable resource for the class of 2028. I have taken several classes on international politics and reproductive health and am always open and excited to chat about these concepts as a springboard for your writing. You can also always come to me with any general questions about navigating the first few months at Bates. I can’t wait to collaborate with you to communicate your ideas and stories!

Lauren White (she/her)

FYS 573: Sex in the Brain
Professor Hamilton

Hi! My name is Lauren and I’m a WCAT for FYS 573: Sex in the Brain. I’m a senior Neuroscience major and Asian Studies minor from St. Petersburg, Florida. I speak English and Spanish, and I have previous tutoring experience as an art teacher for local children when I was in high school. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, cooking, and gardening. I’m looking forward to meeting the students in my FYS as well as the broader PLC community.