Biographies

Angela

Hi, my name is Angela and I am currently majoring in Nursing. I plan to take the nursing program offered here at PCC to become an RN. In my spare time, I love watercolor painting, calligraphy baking, shopping, and watching any murder mystery or crime drama on Netflix. I also enjoy writing, specifically how words can have a profound effect in our lives, helping us become better communicators. I look forward to working with you!

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Ashley

Hi, my name is Ashley (she/her) and I’m currently majoring in English and planning to transfer this year. In my free time, I love visiting new coffee shops, weightlifting, and doing my makeup and nails. Over the years, my writing has significantly improved, and will continue to do so as I discover many more aspects of writing through college. I enjoy helping others and I look forward to working with you all!

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Aster

Heyo! My name is Aster (they/them) and I’m currently majoring in Linguistics. I hope to transfer to the University of Hawai’i at Manōa to major in Filipino and eventually teach it as a professor. Even though Filipino is my native and first language, I still have a lot I’d like to learn. In my spare time I like to read, draw, write, play Minecraft, take naps, and daydream about having a cat. Feel free to talk to me about fantasy, mystery, thriller or romance novels!

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Bastian

I’m Bastian, a Humanities and Digital Media Art student with an interest in multimedia. My writing has been published both in PCC’s own Inscape Magazine and through my last occupation at a local non-profit news organization. Feel free to chat with me about interactive storytelling, collage, or the minutiae of cities! As your tutor, I hope to provide tools that will help you analyze your work and communicate more strongly with each piece. Let’s both write something to be proud of!

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Chloe

Hello! My name is Chloe (she/her) and I am a recent English and Asian American Studies graduate of UCLA College. When I don’t have my nose in a book, I love going to concerts, watching sports, and trying new matcha spots. I hope to eventually earn my Masters in English with a focus on contemporary classics and literary theory and return to community college as a professor. I’m super excited to be of assistance here at the Writing Center!

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Esteban

Hi, I’m Esteban, a recent UCLA graduate who studied English and Film while there. Before I transferred, I was a student here at PCC and a tutor at the Writing Success Center, so I am very excited to be back. Beyond working at the Writing Center, I’ve worked on multiple indie film sets and am currently working toward my lifelong aspiration of becoming a film producer. In my spare time I like listening to music and writing songs with my friends. Come talk to me about film or The Beatles!

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Hannah

Hello everyone! My name is Hannah and I am a communications major here at PCC. A fun fact about me is that I LOVE matcha lattes 🙂 I am a member of the speech and debate team, and in my free time I love to read, go on runs, and binge TV shows! I am hoping to transfer to a four-year university after my time here at PCC.

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Michelle

Hi everyone! This is Michelle, majoring in biology and an international student from Myanmar. One fun fact about me is, I love adding mozzarella cheese to almost everything I cook! I have a strong interest in astrology and am drawn to photography and drawing. Likewise, I love writing, and I often gravitate to content writing and analyzing poetry. I’m glad to help you all gain confidence in your writing journey, so let’s make a fantastic semester together.

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Pearl

Hello! My name is Pearl and I’m so excited to work with you! I am a second-year Political Science major here at PCC and plan to transfer next year. A couple fun facts about me: my go-to order at Café de Leche is a small, iced vanilla latte with extra sweetener and less ice, and my favorite song is “Maine” by Noah Kahan. Writing is one of my favorite pastimes and outlets, and I’m eager to share tools, tips, and tricks to help you grow in your writing!

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Rei

Hi everyone, it’s Rei here! I am an international student from Indonesia, here to pursue my passion for human behavior and dance. Being a Psychology major, I hope to one day become a Dance Therapist and help my community heal through creative expression. One hobby of mine is to consume nutrients and caffeine, basically a big foodie, so I’m definitely open to good grub recs! I’m excited to be collaborating with you all in your writing, and hope that we’ll make learning fun 🙂

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Simon

Hello, my name is Simon. I’m majoring in Computer Information Systems and planning to transfer to CSULA next year. When I am not studying or working, I enjoy reading web serials and playing PC games. My interest in fiction is centered around narrative structure and escapist themes, but I also enjoy new vocabulary and liberally applied puns. I am thrilled to be available at the Writing Support Center for any of your advisory needs!

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Sophia

Hello! I’m Sophia, a business administration major here at PCC! A fun fact about me is that I used to be a dancer in high school, and even won a couple competitions with my team! I’m still in my writing journey like a lot of other students at PCC, and I’m really excited to share this time with you! Let me know if you have any sci-fi, thriller, or mystery book recommendations!

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Tania

Hi! My name is Tania (she/her) and I’m currently majoring in English. After my time at PCC, I plan to transfer to a four-year university to get my bachelor’s in English, with either a double major or a minor in Italian studies. In my spare time, I can be found reading, writing, doing textile crafts, or dancing to bad music under the moon 🙂 I’m also very passionate about social justice. I look forward to working with you!

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Yen

Hi! I’m Yen, an Economics student originally from Malaysia. My best friend is my piano, and I love playing Laufey and La La Land songs (though with varying success). Outside of music, I’m always down to travel somewhere new and embrace experiences that inspire curiosity and growth. Looking forward to helping you build confidence in writing!

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Christian

Hello, my name is Christian (he/him) I am currently majoring in Biology and I’m planning to transfer out to UCLA in the coming years. When I am not busy at work or school, I enjoy listening to music, playing sports and going to car shows! I am a big fan of cars and hope to own lots of cool and exotic cars in the future. I hope to find you at the Writing Support Center for any of your questions or needs!

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Matea

Hello everyone! My name is Matea and I’m a freelance artist, Writing Success Center ambassador and PCC graduate. I moved to Pasadena from Colorado to pursue a career in entertainment arts and fell in love with the people and community here at PCC. I hope to continue learning about and pursuing art and design.

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Nelly

Hello! My name is Nelly (she/her) and I am a studio arts major here in PCC. I plan to transfer to CSULB in the foreseeable future, with plans to continue pursuing the arts. During my free time, I love to sew and print make. Mending and upcycling clothes is a hobby of mine, it’s fun to make a piece of clothing mines while reducing textile waste. When I am not creating art, I like thrifting and listening to music. It would be a pleasure to assist you here at the Writing Success Center!

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Tel

I’m Tel/Tiffany and I’m majoring in sociology and social justice here at PCC. I love talking about characters and media, especially because I love drawing and reading! I’m not great with words, but I’m here to listen and help as best as I can!

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William

Hi, my Name is William and I’m the youngest of 14 siblings. I worked code enforcement for 8 years for los Angeles County and I’m a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. I also write, produce, arrange, and perform beautiful music.

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Anni Kocharyan

I moved to the US at the age of 27 with zero knowledge of English. After raising my two children I decided to follow my dreams and attend PCC at the age of 37. I am incredibly proud of my journey as a first-generation immigrant at Pasadena City College. With the remarkable support and encouragement that I received from my professors and advisors, I was able to overcome the language barrier and complete all the courses needed. Within 3 years I was able to graduate from PCC with an AS degree and four Administrative Certificates. It was not an easy journey, but hard work and determination paid off.  While studying, the campus became a second home for me. PCC gave me a sense of belonging, a place where I felt at home and where I was able to create lasting connections. Throughout the 19 years of my employment at PCC I held various positions, and I am grateful for each opportunity. Each position I held helped me grow professionally and shape me to be the individual I am today. Currently, I hold a Learning Assistance Center Assistant III position at WSC. I am extremely honored and excited to work amongst such amazing tutors, ambassadors, staff, and faculty.

My advice to all our students is to remember that your age, family responsibilities, and background should never limit your dreams but enhance them. “If I could do it, you can do it better!!!”

I love spending time with my loved ones and close friends, taking road trips, listening to classical or country music, going to the beach early in the mornings, taking a stroll with my dog, and gardening.

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Giselle Miralles

Education:
CSU Long Beach, BA in English (Literature & Creative Writing)
CSU Long Beach, MA in English

I began my educational journey at CSULB, where I discovered my interest in social justice, intersectionality, critical race theory, and 20th Century American Ethnic Literature, the latter eventually becoming my emphasis in graduate school. As an undergraduate, I became a Writing Tutor for CSULB’s Educational Opportunity Program, which is when I realized I wanted to work in education after college.

As a grad student, I also worked at the Orange County Juvenile Hall as an English Language Development Assistant, an experience that was transformational for me as an educator. Before landing at PCC, I worked at Fullerton College’s Academic Support Center as an Instructional Assistant. When I’m not busy working, I enjoy traveling, camping, spoiling my dog, playing video games, and gradually making my way through my never-ending list of “good” TV series.

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Genesis Montalvo

Education:
Loyola Marymount University, BA in English and Spanish
San Francisco State University, MA in English (Creative Writing and Education)

The eldest of three—and the only girl—in a traditional Mexican-American family, I learned to take risks to get what I want. One of those risks—and future blessings—was attending Loyola Marymount University. As a first gen college student and graduate, LMU helped foster my love for education through First to Go (a learning community for first generation college students), and the continuous support from faculty mentors.

But the risks don’t stop there: on a whim, I decided to attend graduate school at San Francisco State University for my Master’s in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and Education. It’s here where I discovered my love for writing and learning resource centers as I worked at a literacy non-profit, 826Valencia, as a Program Associate, and City College of San Francisco as an embedded tutor. Unable to take the fog, I moved back to sunny Southern California after graduation where I began working at Santa Ana College as a Learning Facilitator and Long Beach City College as a Faculty Intern. To keep the calm during the storms, I enjoy running, hot yoga, writing poetry (keep an eye out for a published manuscript soon), and watching anime!

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Arkova Scott

I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Pasadena. I attended all of the local schools for elementary and high school and was even a Pasadena City College alumni! After completing my AA degree, I transferred to Cal Poly Pomona as a Computer Information Systems major and eventually completed my Master’s degree at Cal State Los Angeles as an Instructional Designer. I’ve worked at Pasadena City College for over 23 years in a variety of positions, including teaching part-time for the Business Information Technology Division. I currently hold the Center Technician position in the Writing Center where I work very closely each day with our wonderful and dynamic tutors, faculty and staff!

I love to travel, go to concerts in the park, and hang out with my close friends and family. I love to read  art and music books and take long walks on the beach!

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