MEET THE TUTORS
McDaniel College Writing Center recruits peer tutors from across a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds. What unites them is a deep love of writing and building a community of writers here at the college. All peer tutors participate in rigorous, ongoing training in accordance with the Association for the Coaching & Tutoring Profession standards. To work at the Writing Center, all peer tutors must complete the requirements for Associate Tutor certification by completing a 4-credit training course. Several tutors also choose to pursue either Advanced Tutor or Master Tutor certification by enrolling in an additional 2-credit course, completing an Independent Study, or participating in Writing Center research. Looking for the Writing Fellows? Click here.
Writing Center Director
Vanessa Flora-Nakoski graduated from UMBC with a BA in American Studies and the University of Iowa with a MA in American Studies. She also earned graduate certificates in TESOL from UMBC and Strategic Management from Harvard’s Extension School. As faculty in McDaniel College’s English department, she teaches a variety of composition and tutor-training courses. She currently serves as Vice President of the Maryland College Learning Center Association (MDCLCA) and actively participates in several other professional associations related to her work as Writing Center Director. As a Meyers-Briggs INTJ, she loves anything related to patterns — language, math, music, puzzles, etc. And when she needs to get out of her head, she loves working with her hands with crochet, quilting, painting, gardening, or renovating her 50 year old house in Sykesville, MD. You can reach Professor Flora-Nakoski at vflora-nakoski@mcdaniel.edu.
Larkin
Larkin (she/her) is a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Food Studies. She’s the current student rep for MDCLCA, and treasurer for the Japanese Culture and Anime Club on campus. She loves drawing, character design, playing Animal Crossing, hiking, and gaming! After college, she plans to work in HR training and education development, but is also hoping for lots of chances to travel!
Shanai
Shanai (she/her) is a senior majoring in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing, and a Cinema minor. Her hopes are to attain a career in advertising working with commercial creating and promotion that will allow her major and minor work harmoniously. Shanai really enjoys watching movies, writing poetry in her spare time, and doing things that ignite her creativity.
Nicole-Antoinette
Nicole-Antoinette (she/her) is a senior from Rockville, MD. She is pursuing a major in Political Science with a focus in International Relations. After McDaniel, Nicole-Antoinette hopes to attend and earn a JD at law school to serve the immigrant community through her practice of law. She is involved with various campus groups, including the Cross Country/Track and Field teams, Hispano-Latinx Alliance, LULAC. Outside of her studies and work at the writing center, Nicole-Antoinette enjoys singing, hiking, dancing, and advocating for the Hispanic/Latine community. Schedule a tutoring session with Nicole-Antoinette!
Natalie
Natalie (she/her) is a senior majoring in Psychology with minors in Writing and American Sign Language. She is from Northern Virginia and is a part of the Honors Program. She loves to travel, and she spent a semester studying abroad in Budapest. In her free time, she likes to paint, write, crochet, hangout with my friends, eat Chinese food, and watch scary movies. Her favorite color is lavender, she has three cats, and she would love to become a therapist in the future. Writing is one of her passions, and she hopes to help as many people as she can while working at the Writing Center!
Dylan
Dylan (he/him) is a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in chemistry. After McDaniel, Dylan plans to obtain an MD/MPH in order to combat health care disparities. Dylan’s favorite subjects are biology, chemistry, psychology, and sociology. In his free time, Dylan enjoys watching documentaries, playing chess, and powerlifting.
Julianna
Julianna (she/her) is a senior majoring in English and Political Science with minors in History and European Studies and is a part of the Global Fellows Program. On campus, she participates in Model United Nations, the Hispano-Latinx Alliance, and LULAC. Julianna is an avid reader of fiction novels is currently obsessed with Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse. In her downtime, she enjoys gaming, writing, and caring for her German Shepherd Dog, Frankie. Off-campus, Julianna works as a private tutor for K-12 students and students with learning disabilities. In the future, she would like to pursue a career in academia as a professor and researcher of political science specializing in European politics and foreign policy.
Ella
Ella (she/her) is a senior double majoring in psychology and sociology. She is an international student from New Zealand and has been at McDaniel since freshman year. On campus Ella is an RA in North Village and a member of the swim team (so she can always be found at the pool). Ella really enjoys studying at McDaniel and is fully immersing herself in American college life. Her favorite parts are living on campus with her friends and going to events. She is really into sports and loves being able to experience football and lacrosse for the first time. In her free time Ella enjoys the outdoors, sports, reading, and watching Guy Ritchie movies. Back in New Zealand Ella has 3 dogs which she loves to walk on the beach and cuddle on the sofa.
Brooke
Brooke (she/her) is a junior from Cambridge, Maryland majoring in English with a minor in Secondary Education. She aspires to become a Middle or High School English teacher. Along with tutoring at the McDaniel College Writing Center, she works as a peer mentor for first year students. Brooke is also on the McDaniel College Women’s Soccer team, is in Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society, and is a part of The Hidden Opponent organization on campus. In her pastime, Brooke enjoys reading, coffee, painting, her two cats, the beach, and ice cream.
Michie
Michie (she/her) is a junior interested in Writing and Publishing with a minor in Biology. She loves to read and write stories and enjoy watching anime for fun. She loves to play volleyball even though she’s not so much of the athletic type! She also loves to work out during her free time to keep her body in shape and her mind healthy.
Kayla
Kayla (she/her) is a second year student majoring in biology and spanish. After undergrad she plans on earning a medical degree (MD) and completing residency in a specialized field of medicine. Once in the field she plans to speak against the language barrier and serve the spanish speaking community. She loves trying new things, painting, dancing, traveling and working out in the gym. She also likes to play tennis from time to time to stay active!
Madge
Madge (she/her) is a sophomore double majoring in political science and writing & publishing with a minor in criminal justice. After college, she plans to attend law school. On campus, Madge is part of the field hockey team, honors program, Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, Pre-Law Society, and Student-Athlete advisory committee. In her free time, she likes to eat sushi, take lots of naps, read mystery novels, go get coffee, and hang out with friends.
Emily
Emily (they/them) is a sophomore majoring in Writing and Publishing with a minor in Journalism and New Media. They are the student manager of McDaniel’s volleyball team and occasionally works with local newspapers such as the Baltimore Sun and professional wrestling magazine Women’s Wrestling Talk. In the future, they look to become a successful author and journalist with a specialization in Arts and Entertainment. Their favorite films include Stand by Me, Moonlight, My Own Private Idaho, Inside Llewyn Davis, and Boy, and their favorite shows include Community, That 70s Show, and Lost. In their free time, they enjoy listening to all genres of music, writing fiction and poetry, gaming, and spending quality time with loved ones.