Meet our Staff
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Assistant Professor / Director, Writing & Multiliteracy Center
English & Communication
Claire T. Carney Library 219
508-999-8274
abeardsley@umassd.edu
Dr. Ashley Beardsley received her PhD in Rhetoric and Writing Studies from the University of Oklahoma. She teaches courses on rhetoric, professional and technical communication, digital composing, and other topics. Dr. Beardsley's research focuses on the intersections of food, digital, and feminist rhetoric, examining the constitutive qualities and intra-actions of recipe sharing in online and physical texts. Her work has recently appeared in Multimodal + Justice + Action, Peitho, and Center Moves: A Peer-Reviewed Archive of Tutor Training Materials, and her book manuscript is under review. Her current research project explores the relationships between sharing the material products of sourdough in person and through digital media traces.
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Assistant Teaching Professor / Assistant Director Writing & Multiliteracy Center / Faculty Coordinator PAL Program
English & Communication
Balsam Hall 9167
508-999-8441
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Joshua Botvin is a Teaching Professor of English & Communication, the Assistant Director of the Writing & Multiliteracy Center, and the Faculty Coordinator for Peer Assisted Learning at UMass Dartmouth. He began his work in writing centers in 2017 as a Writing Assistant in the University’s Writing & Reading Center. Josh is local to the region and a graduate of UMassD, receiving both his Bachelor's in English Literature & Criticism as well as his Masters in Professional Writing from the University. Josh conducts research in pop cultural studies, classroom accessibility and engagement, labor equity, and writing center development. He teaches in the First Year English Program as well as classes in Business and Technical Communication. Josh is driven by the meaningful connections he makes with students, tutors, and peers, and hopes to positively impact those around him in the UMassD community.
2025-2026 Tutoring Staff
Abbie (she/he)
Abbie is a senior undergrad Illustration major with a Creative Writing minor. He especially enjoys working with visual-art related assignments and topics regarding animation, novels, and LGBTQ+ matters. Outside of the center, she works as a freelance illustrator and enjoys running TTRPGs and kayaking!
Aidan (he/him)
Aidan is an undergraduate junior majoring in communication with a minor in creative writing. He is very passionate about creative writing, like screenwriting and story writing. In his free time, Aidan writes a medieval fantasy series, works out at the gym, and listens to pop music. They are excited to help people in all fields, especially those who love creativity.
Audrey (she/her)
Audrey is a junior undergrad student who is majoring in psychology and minoring in global health. She is excited to assist students with their projects in the WMC! She especially enjoys helping with topics in psychology, literature, public health, history, film, and creative writing. Audrey can often be found bothering her dog Murphy or her lizard Waffles. She also enjoys baking, knitting, hiking, and playing video games in her free time!
Cassidy (she/her)
Cassidy is a senior undergraduate student majoring in English with a minor in communications. Outside of the center, you'll find Cassidy sitting with a book, playing video games, hiking, at a concert, or rewatching Star Wars for the millionth time. She is excited to help with whatever you bring to the center, but has an interest in all things English and literature-related!
Deb (she/her)
Deb is a junior undergrad student majoring in literature with a minor in communications. Outside of the WMC, Deb loves to read, watch movies, go to concerts, and spend time with friends and family. She is super excited to help with whatever you bring to the center!
Ella (she/her)
Ella is an undergraduate student majoring in English and Philosophy with a minor in legal studies and is in the Honors College. She enjoys discussing anything related to literature, law, or history! Outside of school, she likes to read and spend time with her two cats. Ella is interested in working with assignments across all disciplines but especially with assignments related to English, Philosophy, History, or Political Science.
Jason (he/him)
Jason is a senior undergrad student majoring in Communication. He is happy to help students at the WMC with any subject, but enjoys working with literature, creative writing, art, and other analysis papers. In his free time Jason enjoys video games, animating, playing in the school’s band, going to the gym, and learning about animals!
Jess (she/her)
Jess is a senior undergraduate student majoring in history with a minor in religious studies. She is also enrolled in the 4+1 MAT program and plans to become a teacher after graduation. She is very interested in history, especially ancient history, but she can help you with anything you need help with! She is familiar with a range of citation styles, including MLA, APA, and Chicago Style Citations. Outside of being a writing tutor, Jess enjoys crocheting, reading, and embarking on various crafty ventures. She is excited to work with you on any subject/type of writing, but is definitely more familiar with the humanities and social sciences.
Kaz (he/him)
Kaz is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in Software Engineering. When he's not at the center, he most likely will be writing his novel, or with a book in his hand. He is looking forward to working with everyone, but specifically enjoys creative writing and STEM-related topics!
Kelsey (she/her)
Kelsey is a senior undergraduate student double majoring in Political Science and History. She is from New Jersey and has a sassy and mischievous cat, named Loki. Kelsey is happy to assist any student across all disciplines but specifically enjoys working on assignments related to English, Political Science, and History. Additionally, she is looking forward to working with students on skills such as brainstorming topics, organization, gathering evidence, and how to structure and format papers in a variety of ways, including formatting citations.
Kol (they/he)
Kol is 4th year undergrad. They are actively working toward becoming the first Black Studies major as it is currently only a minor. But officially he's Multidisciplinary studies for Math and Black Studies. From the local city of New Bedford, they have spent their whole life around this area. Recently getting more into figure skating and very passionate about crocheting leaning toward fashion design. They are most passionate about helping students feel more confident in their writing and helping others discover their voice. He enjoys Philosophy the most but really open to working with any topic or subject.
Kulsum (she/her)
Kulsum is a junior undergraduate student majoring in communications. She is a resident assistant as well as a junior representative for our Ghana student association at UMass Dartmouth. She is from Connecticut and has always been passionate about reading and writing. She plans to pursue a career in law and one day become a judge. She is happy to help with any type of writing assignments but prefers essays. She loves to read, watch movies and ride roller coasters for a thrill.
Maddie (she/her)
Maddie is a senior English major with a minor in creative writing. She is very passionate about creative writing as she wants to become an author when she graduates from college. Outside of school, Maddie enjoys listening to music, watching tv, crocheting, and hanging out with friends and family. She is thrilled and eager to help you and give you whatever support that you need!
Sky (she/her)
Sky double-majors in Crime and Justice and Political Science with a Pre-law concentration. She is involved with club organizations like Student Government and Society Community Leaders. She enjoys discussing fun facts about animals and painting murals in her spare time. In school, she loves to help students broaden their options and horizons. She is genuinely excited to be able to help students academically and advance their skills in specific areas like English.