Writing Center Staff

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Director:

Celeste DelRusso 
​delrusso@rowan.edu

she / her / hers

​Celeste Del Russo directs the Rowan Writing Center, where she collaborates with students, tutors, and faculty across the disciplines. As a teacher, she writes with her students to articulate the connections between place, learning, and knowledge production, and her pedagogy engages students with resources available on campus and in their local communities. 

Coordinators 

Donna Mehalchick-Opal

she / her / hers

Hi, I'm an ESL Specialist Tutor and Graduate Coordinator at the Rowan University Writing Center. She studies in the EdD in Educational leadership program and teaches first-year writing  (composition) courses. She earned her MA in Writing and BA in Writing Arts at Rowan University, AS in Psychology, and AA in Communication from Rowan College at Gloucester County.  She currently conducts research in the writing center relating to universal design and access, language attitudes of multilingual writers, and tutor professional development. Proudly flying first!

Carmen Grasso

he / him / his

Hi, I’m Carmen. I am a 3rd year graduate student working towards my Masters in Writing. I completed my undergrad at Rowan and majored in both Writing Arts and Radio/Television/Film.  I've been with the RWC since 2019, and I also have experience teaching FYW classes here at Rowan. I like to tutor students who are passionate about their topics. I also love seeing any multimodal writing projects or RTF writing projects. My favorite books are graphic novels like The Adventure Zone or comics with Miles Morales and Deadpool in them.

2020-21 Staff

Dominick Marconi

he / him / his

Hi Guys! I’m Dom and I’m a Masters of Writing student and I am working at the Rowan Writing Center for what is now my fifth year. I enjoy helping tutees with anything and everything and I especially love getting to learn new things through my tutees’ papers⁠—the stranger the better! My specialty is creative writing, particularly poetry and fiction. At Rowan, I’ve taken Creative Writing 1+2, Writing Fiction, Writing Poetry, Screenwriting 1+2, and Fundamentals of Playwriting as well as The Writer’s Mind and Writing, Research + Technology. 

Lia Mahoney

she / her / hers

I am a Junior Mechanical Engineering Major with a concentration in Honors. I have been involved with a research project with the ExEED (Experimental Engineering Education Program) department and therefore I am a co-author for a published paper in ASEE (American Society of Engineering Education). I am involved in the club American Society of Mechanical Engineers. I love to help others and would be happy to help you with your assignments.
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Madison Valentine 

she / her / hers

I’m a senior majoring in Biological Science and minoring in Philosophy and Chemistry. I've been with the Writing Center since Fall 2019. I’ve taken writing intensive courses like Philosophy of Science and I have lots of experience with lab reports. Outside of academic work here at Rowan, I enjoy writing creatively, usually through short stories. After graduating from Rowan, I hope to become a veterinarian and specialize in surgery. I’m most excited to be a tutor so that I can experience different types of writing. One of my favorite books is Slaughterhouse Five, and my favorite thing to do in my free time is playing video games!

Baillie Dougherty

she / her / hers

Hello! My name is Baillie Dougherty and I am a senior Early Childhood Education and Writing Arts dual major. Throughout my years at Rowan, I have taken many writing classes including How Writers Read, Rhetorics of Style, WRT, The Writer’s Mind, and many others! I have also taken a handful of Early Childhood and Education classes, targeting lesson planning and different assignments. Also, I have experience with formal and professional writing, including history, biology, and psychology-based assignments. At Rowan, I am a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority and the Early Childhood Education club. In my free time I like to listen to music, watch Netflix, and do anything outdoors! I look forward to meeting you soon!

Nia Tift

she / her / hers

Hey, I’m Nia Tift! This is my fourth year as a Psychology major and Dance minor. I am an EOF and first generation college student. I am an intern for the SJICR Office, a Research Assistant for the ASSeRT lab in Rowan’s Psychology department, and a Resident Assistant in the Townhouses. Here are some courses I’ve done well in: Indians of North America, Developmental Psychopathology, Introduction to Philosophy, Black Lives Matter, Masterpieces in French Literature with English Translations, and The Writer’s Mind. Some self-care I’ve been enjoying lately includes: yoga, listening to podcasts, cooking, and reading Small Doses: Potent Truths for Everyday Use by Amanda Seales. 

Charlie Rickle

he / him / his

Hi! I'm Charlie and I am a senior Music Therapy major here at Rowan University. My favorite writing to help with is outlining and planning, although I am proficient in lab reports, and research as well as comp classes. I am also fond of creative writing if you ever want someone to take a look at anything! I tutor because I enjoy helping other people and find that every interaction yields some sort of learning. Outside of the Writing Center, I am the President of the Rowan Music Therapy Club, and a member of the Collegium Musicum. Being that I am a Music Therapy Major, I have an understanding of both psychology and music. I am an advocate for LGBT rights and I spend my free time finding different crafts to do such as knitting or sewing. I look forward to working with you!
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Dina Folgia

she / her / hers

Hi! My name is Dina and I am currently a senior studying Writing Arts with concentrations in creative writing and new media writing & publishing. I also have a minor in Art History. I excel in critiquing essays, reports, and creative pieces. I have previously taken Comp II, How Writers Read, Writing Research and Technology, The Writer’s Mind, Creative Writing II, Screenwriting I, Editing the Literary Journal, as well as a wide array of creative writing workshops. I also have course experience in art history, such as Modern Art and Concepts in Art Criticism. If you’re aiming to perfect your writing creatively and technically, I’m your girl!

Anthony Defino

he / him / his

Hello, my name is Anthony! I am currently a fourth year Rowan university student. I am an English major minoring in Creative Writing, and pursuing a CUGS in Radio, Television, and Film.  I am also a member of the Rowan Television Network and Cinema Workshop. As a writer, I have a passion for fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and anything else that gives me the potential to create. I am always looking for a great story, and hope to one day create a story of my own that affects others the way that I have been affected by my favorite stories. In addition, I have a deep love of music, as a singer and a (not so great) guitarist, with a specific love for classic rock. I am always ready to help with whatever I’m able to and always look forward to learning and finding new experiences!
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Chloe Desir

she / her / hers

Hi, I'm Chloe. I am currently a senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. I've been working at the Rowan Writing Center since Fall 2019, and I have experience in tutoring with writing. I like working with students who are open and ready to take outside opinions and perspectives, while teaching me new things about the topics they write about. I have goals to volunteer in the Peace Corps and eventually work with the United Nations. I like to read, write, and listen to poetry alongside with music and podcasts. I also play piano and practice yoga. One of my favorite books is The Rose That Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur, and I'm currently binging Rick and Morty, The Boondocks, and The Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj.

Julian Reggente

he / him / his

I’m a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in both Sociology and Philosophy and minoring Geography. This is my second year working as a tutor at the writing center. I’ve taken numerous WI courses and Sociological Research Methods. I am most familiar with citing APA and MLA and somewhat with Chicago. I’m fond of research writing, review writing, and creative writing. Someday I aspire to become an actor/voice actor. What I enjoy most about tutoring is providing relief and a sense of direction for those who feel completely lost about their assignments or who are unsure about their writing abilities. My favorite book is The Catcher in the Rye and my favorite thing to do in my free time is playing video games.

Bianca Gray

she / her / hers

Hello! My name is Bianca. I’m a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in English in the honors concentration. I’ve also taken the writing intensive course called Tutoring for writing; I’m fluent in MLA and APA; I’ve won a college freshman essay contest with my work; I am Peer Referral and Orientation Staff Member (PROS) as well as a Flack Mentor; I enjoy both academic and creative writing; and I hope to earn a PhD in English someday and, hopefully, become a bestselling author as well. What I enjoy most about tutoring is getting to work with new people and versing myself in a number of different writing styles. My favorite book is The Hate U Give (NOT the movie) and my favorite thing to do in my free time is to work on writing my books.

Thomas Della Donna

he / they / them

I’m a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in History, with a minor in Asian Studies. This is my second year as a tutor in the writing center. I have experience in writing intensive classes such as Historical Methods, and am fluent in the Chicago style of citation. I am a member of the Japanese Culture Club; I enjoy writing poetry and I want to go into politics someday. What I enjoy most about tutoring is the chance to help others in lifting up their voices so that they may be heard. My favorite book is After the Quake, and my favorite things to do in my free time are go to the gym and watch The West Wing.

Deirdre Kelly

she / her / hers

My name is Deirdre Kelly. My major is Secondary Education and History, and I am pursuing a TOSD certification, (Teacher of Students with Disabilities). My dream is to become a special education teacher. I have been at Rowan University for four years. This is my second year as a tutor for RWC. For my major, I was required to take Historical Methods, this class truly refined my research and writing skills and allowed me to develop as a writer. Tutoring interests me because I believe everyone has the power to excel in writing! I like to find people's strengths, and help them utilize it within their writing.   I am a sister of Delta Phi Epsilon and I am the chapter's philanthropy chair and corresponding secretary.  For fun, I love to go for runs, listen to music, and hang out with friends! I like to write creative and expository pieces as well. Looking forward to meeting you! ​

Laura Foley

she / her / hers

Hi! I'm Laura. I completed my undergrad in History and Theatre here at Rowan. I am currently pursuing my Masters in History. This is my third year at the center. I have experience with Historical Methods and Senior Seminar as well as writing performance critiques. I wrote and worked on Avant Magazine for most of my undergrad so I am also happy to read creative pieces. I am also familiar with multiple citation styles, including MLA, APA, and Chicago. I hope to one day marry my love of theater and history by creating my own works or by historically advising others. I am also considering museum work. As for my favorite genre, I love fiction and fantasy. In my free time, you can find me playing video games or crafting. I look forward to meeting you soon! ​

Nicole Tota

she / her / hers

​I’m a senior majoring in English and History with minors in Women’s and Gender Studies, American Studies, and International Studies, along with an Honors concentration. I’ve been a Writing Center tutor for 5 semesters and I specialize in first year writing/intensive college composition assignments. I’ve taken Historical Methods, English Seminar, and American English Grammar, so I’m available to help you out with your humanities writing intensives. I believe that writing should be accessible and enjoyable for all and that there are no bad writers, just people who’ve been told that they are and internalized it. In my free time, you can find me crocheting, spending time with my cats, and watching Disney Plus. I can’t wait to meet you!

Abigail Heinz

she / her / hers

I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major with an Honors Concentration and a minor in Technical and Professional Writing. This is my second semester as a tutor and my first time doing one-on-one appointments! I am also the president of the engineering club ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers). I am working on publishing two conference papers to be published through ASEE (American Society of Engineering Education) with more to come in the future! I am happy to help on any assignment, whether it be a fiction piece, lab report, or paper for class. 

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Office Staff

If you are a Federal Work Study student interested in an office assistant position, apply to the writing center by emailing us at writingcenter@rowan.edu with a resume.