Writing Coaches

AJ Higgins
Criminal Justice
Sophomore
AJ is a second-year criminal justice major with a love for history and music. He has a history of teaching and mentoring and adores every chance to work with his peers. At Norwich, he is part of the university choir, involved in the Criminal Justice Student Association (CJSA), and works as a volunteer in the local community. He developed his skills in writing in tandem with his passion for legal practice and history. In his free time, he develops his mind by practicing speechcraft via debate and studying history. His zealous desire to educate and be educated leads him to become a lawyer and later to become a teacher.

Angelica Kopeć
Criminology
Sophomore
Kopeć is a second-year student and first-year writing coach. She’s on the Rifle Team and loves staying active with sports like soccer and volleyball, and activities such as hiking and camping. She speaks Polish, so feel free to use it: zawsze spoko! Kopeć is working towards commissioning into the Marine Corps and is into art in all its forms, whether it’s drawing or painting, new or old. Music is a big part of her life too, and she enjoys listening to all genres and playing piano. She believes that everyone can learn how to write with the proper support and is as committed to her work as she is to connecting with others around her.

Alexandra Leslie
Biochemistry
Minor: Criminal Justice
Sophomore
Alex is a second-year student and athlete with a passionate interest in the sciences and arts. She loves writing, especially creatively, and hopes to support others in their work. With experience in classes focusing on both the sciences and literature, Alex is eager to help with not only writing assignments but also lab reports and other scientific papers. Whatever the initiative, she strives to help every student leave the Center for Writing with confidence in their writing and the right tools to not just complete, but excel in their projects. When not coaching, Alex plays varsity women’s ice hockey at Norwich during the school year and plays provincial baseball in Canada over the summer. She loves running, drawing, and being outdoors, but also loves staying home with a good book.

Samriddhi Manandhar 
Criminology & Psychology
Minor: Forensic Psychology
Concentration: Criminal Forensics
Junior
Samriddhi is starting her second year at the Center for Writing, where she loves taking students on the journey of becoming better writers and encourages them to be more confident in themselves. Samriddhi is actively involved in several activities on campus, including the Office of Academic Research Fellowship, Student Government, Orientation Leader, President of Art Club, and The Chameleon. Her curiosity to explore drives her involvement in different research topics, including “Serial and Mass Murder,” “The Psychology of Shadow Soldiers,” and “Psychological Profiles of Stress and Coping in Young Military Adults,” and she is motivated to keep adding more. She also extends her curiosity towards fun activities like painting, photography, singing, making DIY projects, cooking, travelling, designing, and working out, which brings out the best in her. She is always willing to try her best to help and make people feel comfortable, so don’t be shy to ask her.

Alex Merritt 
Architectural Design 
Senior
Alex is a third-year writing coach at Norwich. She joined the writing center to support fellow students with their personal and academic writing, with a focus on research and research-based academic papers. In writing center appointments, she loves helping students find clarity in their assignments through collaboration. Alex loves reading, cooking, and going to the gym. When she is not in the Architecture studio or in the Writing Center, she is at the gym or spending time with friends. She focuses on design build and hands-on construction, including putting her skills to use as a part of Norwich University’s 2025 Design Build team working on the Hubbard Park Privy.

Virginia “V” Owings
Computer Security and Information Assurance
Transnational Crime
Sophomore
From writing to reading, video games to board games, and everything in between, V is an avid lover of all things fantastical and nerdy. V is also passionate about theatre, participating in community theater since childhood, and is now involved with Norwich’s Pegasus Players. You may also find V on the rink with NU women’s club hockey or on the slopes as an avid skier. V joined the center for writing to share her passion for writing while also helping to develop her own writing style through coaching others.

Victoria “T” Perez
Psychology
Junior
T is a junior and has taken on the responsibility of facilitating leadership and growth for those around them. Besides the Corps of Cadets, she is a part of: The Norwich Cavalry Troop, Norwich University Pipes and Drums (NU P&D), Norwich University Shooting Association (NUSA), Norwich String Ensemble (NUSE), Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Silver Wings, and The Campus Choraleers. These activities allow her to apply her leadership skills and make connections around campus. In her free time, she also rock-climbs and writes fantasy and fiction. To her, writing is not just a skill but a form of leadership that listens, inspires, and connects. She believes that the pen is the most powerful tool of self-expression, and as a writing coach, she wants to ensure that every piece of writing is heard and understood from both the writer's and the audience’s perspectives. Through the Center for Writing, she hopes to help others find confidence in their voice, clarity in their message, and the courage to share their stories.

Makayla Torrey
Interdisciplinary Engineering (focus in Architectural Design) 
Minors: Construction Management; Writing
Senior
Makayla is a senior from Windsor, Massachusetts. In addition to the Center for Writing, she participates in Residence Life, the Center for Career Readiness, the Student Government Association, The Chameleon, and the Norwich Humanities Initiative. She is also a Construction Services Project intern in Facilities Operations. She enjoys reading and writing and spent 10 weeks over the summer writing and studying memoirs for NU’s undergraduate research program. She is a former Disney Cast Member who loves all things Florida-related but also loves snowmobiling and snowboarding in Vermont! Makayla joined the Center for Writing to learn more about her writing process through peers.

Fatihat Quadri
Mechanical Engineering
Junior
Fatihat loves writing poetry, monologues, short stories, and everything in between. Outside of the Center for Writing, she is a Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA) tutor for math and engineering, a resident advisor, and president of the AI Club. She loves reading all forms of literature and enjoys crocheting. Fatihat joined the Center for Writing to learn about all the beautiful ways people express themselves through writing. She hopes to help people become more confident in their writing and better convey their ideas to their audiences.