Our Staff
Leadership
Program Director
Melinda Knight, Professor and Director of the Center for Writing Excellence, English
Research/Interests: American Studies and Writing in the Disciplines
Assistant Director
Alicia Remolde, Assistant Director of the Center for Writing Excellence
Areas of Interest: Community writing projects, Women’s Studies, Asian women’s literature, classic monster movies.
Consultants
Camilla M Finch
Senior Consultant
Subjects/Areas of Expertise: News writing for television, newspapers and magazines. Expertise in economic and business journalism.
Sofia Andersen Garreffa
Graduate Assistant
Subjects/Area of Expertise: Education, languages, didactics, language acquisition, linguistics, research writing, APA formatting, and bilingualism/trilingualism
Extracurriculars: Horse riding, reading, training at the gym, travelling, and trying new food
Lexi Merring
Consultant
Subjects/Areas of Expertise: First-year writing, personal statements, creative writing, poetry, Gothic literature, American literature, MLA style, and APA style
Extracurriculars: Writing, creating art, reading, learning French, and traveling
Alice Mesonzhnik
Graduate Assistant
Subjects/Areas of Expertise: Psychology, clinical mental health counseling, social media marketing and communications
Extracurriculars: Dancing, reading, writing poetry, learning languages, video editing and content creation
Idil Ozhan
Graduate Assistant
Subjects/Areas of Expertise: Psychology writing, Counseling writing, Sociology writing, Economics writing, Copywriting, Resume Writing
Extracurriculars: Going on walks, painting, crocheting, attempting to learn French, true crime documentaries, and baking
Valerie Saturen
Senior Consultant
Subjects/Areas of Expertise: First-year college writing, American literature, creative writing, journalism, and writing in the humanities
Extracurricular: Reading, hiking, learning new things and going on adventures in New York City
Kristine Witko
Senior Consultant
Subjects/Areas of Expertise: Second language writing, APA format, Praxis or ACT test prep, writing about education or linguistics, reading comprehension, impromptu essays
Extracurricular: Traveling, taking Spanish and Portuguese classes, spending hours in bookstores, trying new hobbies, attempting to dance bachata, and writing
Ana Hilario
Consultant
Subjects/Areas of Expertise: International studies, politics, poetry, 20th century literature, contemporary American novels, linguistics, magazine and newspaper writing, creative writing.
Extracurriculars: listening to true crime podcasts, traveling, weekly baking sessions, making the world’s best cup of coffee.
Ana graduated from Montclair State University in 2022 with an MA in English. Her undergraduate major was English with a minor in Linguistics. Ana is currently working in the architecture and engineering industry as a proposal coordinator. She is a firm believer in the power of the written word to connect individuals and communities. Ana hopes to share this love of literature with the CWE community as a writing consultant.
Justin Ghansiam
Consultant
Subjects/Areas of Expertise: Business writing, poetry, Creative writing, storytelling, MLA, International Business, Management, Marketing
Extracurricular: Socializing, massive film geek, singer, dancer, photographer, poet, aspiring DJ, and a person who loves to live life to the fullest!
Justin graduated from Montclair State University in 2019 with a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business. He recently completed his MBA in August of 2021 with a dual concentration in both Management and Marketing. Justin worked as a retail supervisor at the Home Depot for over five years and currently works as a consultant for the Center for Writing Excellence. Whenever Justin is not helping the Montclair State campus, he owns and operates a mobile DJ business! Justin also spends time practicing his vocals, dance moves, DJ mixing skills, or watching movies. As long as he is living a life filled with adventure, that is enough for him. Justin enjoys working with students from across different cultures and backgrounds and strives to change the world with one individual at a time.
Paloma Lupino
Consultant
Subjects/Areas of Expertise: Literary theory and analysis, MLA format, poetry, speech writing, public speaking, mixed media analysis, thesis writing,
Extracurricular: Reading, painting, mixology, trying new restaurants, hanging out with her kitten.
Paloma graduated with her combined BA/MA from Montclair State as her senior class commencement speaker. During her time as an undergraduate, she aided in founding the first student-run podcast at Montclair, the “Playne English Podcast,” as well as the English Club, “English Breakfast,” a TV show on Hawk Plus. Post-graduation, she is a proud staff member of the CWE, as well as a part time bookseller at a local independent store. Outside of her extracurriculars, Paloma spent many late nights catching up on reading her TBR and investigating new local restaurants and food spots when time allows. With her love of writing, alongside the goal to aid in the welcoming community within Montclair, she is elated to be working with the Center for Writing Excellence.
Greeters
Alexis Antico
Head Greeter and Consultant
Subjects/Areas of Expertise: Literature, analytical writing, writing in the humanities, journalism, creative writing, APA and MLA
Extracurricular: Reading, creative writing, and crafting
Namrata Nitin Amin
Senior Greeter
Subject/Areas of Expertise: MLA, Chicago, South Asian and South East Asian Literature, Creative writing
Extracurricular: Reading, cooking, running, travel, and learning as many languages as possible