Biographies

I have always been very interested in language and writing, and though it took a year at PCC and many major switches, I finally found my place as an English major. Being that both of my parents are teachers, I have always cared deeply about learning through helping other people learn, so the writing center seemed like a perfect fit for me. When I am not at PCC, you can find me riding my bike around Pasadena, shopping at Trader Joe’s, picnicking in the park, doing laps in the pool, and more often than not, reading or writing anywhere I can sit. I fantasize about getting a PhD but we will see if I can stand being on this side of academia for 6+ more years.

Hi! My name is Megan, and I am currently a first-year student here at PCC. My goal is to apply to transfer this upcoming fall. My major is currently undecided, but I am hoping to transfer to UCLA or UCSD. Although I would love to be healthier, my favorite foods consist of milk teas, instant noodles, chips, and fries. As for my interests, one thing I love doing the most is expressing my creative side. I love crafting, drawing, and creating things. Additionally, I enjoy napping, watching shows, and playing games. I also have an unhealthy obsession with The Office. 

Hi! I’m Kaylin, a communications major trying to get my AA-T before I transfer to a university in 2021. I’m an aspiring journalist who has a blog filled with unpublished works that I feel are never quite finished, but seeing as it’s my job to encourage students to become confident in their own writing, hopefully I’ll soon learn to do the same. I like long walks on the beach and candle lit dinners, but above all else, I especially enjoy vine/meme references. I’m a sucker for the Twilight series (pun intended) and my favorite pastime is hunting through the sale sections at Target.

I am a first year PCC student who attended UCI last year and is majoring in music. Most of my time is spent practicing saxophone and playing in the ensembles that PCC has to offer. I enjoy watching sports, writing, helping people, and drinking coffee. Writing is a critical skill in nearly every field of study and thus, I decided to become a tutor to give others the tools they need to feel confident in their work. 

My name is Kazi, I am a Biology major and working on transferring out to a four-year university. I grew up in Los Angeles, CA and have recently spent seven years living in Seattle, WA. A unique part of me is my American Eskimo dog, Max, with whom I have explored countless trails in Washington state and the Los Angeles area. Max is a pretty happy and popular dog at dog parks and outdoor malls, most people typically recognize us because of his white fluffy coat. Whenever I am not spending time together with my dog or a pandemic is lurking around, my friends and I usually go out to restaurants or watch whatever movie is trending. 

My name is Mia. I am a first year student at PCC. In the past, I’ve tutored students on different subjects and I look forward to continuing that here at the Writing Support Center. My major is nursing, but I may change it to be more statistics focused. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, exploring nature.

Hi, I’m Ernest! I’m an English major here at PCC. I’m just here to have a good time, which (with some luck) will result in a career and potentially even monetary income. I greatly enjoy literature and literary theory, as well as both writing and helping others to improve theirs. In that, I’ve found working at the WSC to be a lot of fun. You can often find me here either tutoring or working on my own stuff. Besides that, I’m sort of an old man-- I like to go on walks, admire my pet cockatiel and practice my cooking when I have the time for it. Ask me anything about Chinese teas.

My name is Phi Long Hoang. I am currently majoring in Psychology hoping to transfer once obtain my AS. While I'm here PCC, I hope to meet people and gain new experiences. On my free time, I like reading, cooking, watching movies, and going to the gym."

Hi, my name is Nhi, and this is my second semester at PCC. I was born in Vietnam and had been living there for almost 20 years before coming to the US for college. My major is in Business Administration, specifically Marketing in the next two years when I transfer to a four-year university. I love traveling, shopping and having good food. In the future, I would like to concentrate on the entertainment field which is related to events and customer service. I find myself interested in planning and managing projects to create excellent programs for the youth. That's why I applied to be a tutor at the Writing Center not only to gain some experience for my career but also to do myself a favor when seeing that my abilities could help others improve at some points

I began my college career in 2011 working towards a Creative Writing degree at the University of Washington but after a few years I paused my schooling and dedicated myself to drumming in an indie dream pop band (shout out to any musicians!). In 2019 I returned to my academics as an English Major refocusing on literary analysis although creative writing at home remains my passion. I have had multiple features published in print for Tom Tom Magazine, the first mainstream female/female-identifying drum magazine and continue to contribute pieces to them as well as other indie zines. I have always held firm that formal essay writing is an incredibly creative and cathartic process when approached with curiosity and an adventurous attitude!

My name’s Fatima! With me as a student here at PCC, I’ve been able to hone my academic abilities and garner new aspirations before I transfer to UCSD with a major in Cognitive Science. Being a first-born here in America while the rest of my family line scatters all over from Pakistan to Iran, I continue to learn about how unique and prominent my heritage is and how much it impacts my individuality, but at the same time, seeking what it means to be my own person, regardless. An endeavor I translate into writing, a deep passion of mine that I wish to utilize as your tutor. 

I’m Nathan and I’m a second year student at PCC. I work with the English Centers as well as the Puente Program as a tutor. In my spare time I usually enjoy going out for walks or hikes and listening to my music, and going somewhere interesting with my friends. I also enjoy drawing, and you can ask me anything about Star Wars

Hi, I’m Kim! I’m a second year Psychology major at PCC hoping to transfer in the fall of 2021. I became a writing tutor because I love writing and collaborating with others. Being able to work with others on their writing skills has been really fun. Since everything went online, I have been spending my free time walking my two dogs and going on fun little adventures with my family. I also started watching Breaking Bad (finally!) and it has become my new favorite show. I have always wanted to go into a career that would allow me to help others, which is why I hope to become a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist in the future.

My name is Karina and I have been a PCC Lancer for 1 year and I have mostly taken cinema and English classes. I love hearing and sharing all creative expressions, whatever mode it takes. Poetry is often a channel of my creative expression but I also have other outlets like skating, listening to music, stretching, or meditating. I have hopes of transferring to a UC but that’s after I’ve seen all my options, running away to the ocean countryside to live with my cat and do the whole writer thing also sounds great, I’m flexible. Till then, I look forward to tutoring you.

Hi, I'm Camille! I'm a second year psychology major with plans to transfer in 2021. My goal is to eventually earn my doctorate in psychology in order to become a clinical psychologist. I typically spend my time watching movies (Marvel, coming-of-age, and period pieces are my favorite!), satisfying my endless sugar craving by baking Tasty recipes, and hunting for new places to explore! Writing has always been my longest pursued passion and tutoring at the WSC allows me to revisit that passion practically every day! 

Writing Support Center Coordinator

Education:
UCLA, BA in English Literature
USC, MA in Applied Linguistics

An Altadena native, I graduated from John Muir High School a long time ago (Go Mustangs!). Soon after I graduated from UCLA (Go Bruins), I traveled to China to teach English at the Sichuan College of Education (a teacher's college) for a year.  After that, led astray by the promise of a tuition waiver and salary, I became a TA at USC (Go Trojans) and earned an MA in Applied Linguistics, a degree which no longer exists at that school and which almost no one understands.

After teaching ESL at South Pasadena High School, where I was the entire ESL department, I came to PCC as an ESL instructor in 1992. I took over leadership of the Writing Center in 2006. I have been an active member of the Southern California Writing Centers Association since 2007 (past vice-president and president) and am currently serving as the two-year college representative.

Writing Center - Learning Asst. Assistant III

I am originally from the south, but moved to California many years ago. I have been working at the Writing Center for more than 17 years, but have been full-time and helping to run the Writing Center for about 10 years. I started at PCC as a student and student worker at the Writing Center and worked my way up to my current position. My hobbies include going to the beach, watching movies, and listening to music.

Writing Center – Center Technician

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 17 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 technology books and take long walks on the beach! 

Writing Center – Faculty

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.

Writing Center – Faculty

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 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!