Meet the Staff & Tutors

Professional Staff

Our professional staff members have particular roles and expertise. See how to connect with them in their bios below. 

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Jennifer Liese
Director
401-277-4829
jliese@risd.edu

Before coming to RISD, I was an editor at Artforum and Cabinet, wrote about art, and worked in museums and galleries. I recently edited an anthology of artist's writings called Social Medium: Artists Writing, 2000–2015 (Paper Monument, 2016). At RISD, I've taught courses on graduate thesis writing, professional practices, and experimental publishing. Whether working with individual students or on institutional publications, I try to provide tools and inspiration for artists and designers to share their work and perspectives with wide and varied publics.
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Meredith Barrett
Associate Director,
Writing & Related Literacies
she/her/hers
401-454-6486
mbarrett01@risd.edu

My background in literature, education, and writing center theory and practice taught me that tutoring is not just about improving form, content, or even process; it is pursuing the human connection possible in communication—an interpersonal means to an interpersonal end. I carry this philosophy into all my efforts, from training tutors to partnering with faculty to assisting students. Reach out to me for help matching with a tutor or support in your own communication.
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Maya Krinsky
Associate Director,
Multilingual Learning
401-277-4935
mkrinsky01@risd.edu
Make an appointment
Additional Languages: Spanish, French

With a background in both art and language learning, I organize and provide support for multilingual learners. I am trained in communicative and experience-based pedagogy by the International Language Institute of Massachusetts, and have taught English and Spanish for adults in part-time, intensive, workplace and university programs. I engage students with the perspective that relationships are built through language, communication involves cultural awareness, and language is connected to identity. I am available to consult on student learning.
 
Anne West
Graduate Written Thesis Faculty Mentor
awest@risd.edu
Request a biweekly meeting

As a faculty member in Graphic Design and the Graduate Commons, A&L faculty mentor, and author of Mapping the Intelligence of Artistic Work, I support students across disciplines in conceptualizing and writing their Master's thesis. Using a process of appreciative inquiry, we work together to draw out, clarify, and nurture the root of your work, locate and build ideas, develop a voice, and give meaningful form to the thesis document.

Peer Tutors

Peer tutors are undergraduate and graduate students with strong communication skills who also take part in ongoing training in tutoring theory and best practices. Any of them can support you in all aspects of communication—written, spoken, and visual. In the bios below, you’ll learn about each tutor’s major and interests. 

See someone you want to work with? You can filter availability for specific tutors when you make an appointment.

Interested in becoming a tutor? Check our hiring page.

Vishakha Ruhela
MFA Graphic Design
Peer Tutor
they/them
Additional Languages: Hindi

With a deep affinity for education, I've successfully taught, trained artisans, and spoken at public forums in various capacities. Drawing upon this experience, my substantial background in textile design, and my ongoing graphic design education, I always consider different viewpoints in providing feedback to others. Whether it’s organizing your research, brainstorming or reviewing your drafts for your creative writing, design projects or professional applications, I'm excited to help you in a way that works best for you.
Yiming Lei
MLA Landscape Architecture
Peer Tutor
he/him
Additional Languages: Mandarin Chinese

I see language as the materialization of thinking, it helps me clarify and continue developing ideas. For me, the logical and poetic parts of language are equally important, as they establish our rational and perceptual ways of thinking. My experience in both architecture and landscape architecture trained me to apply systematic thinking to new problems. I am especially excited to help you with design statements, brainstorming and organizing ideas, and discussing the non-binary relationships between humans and nature.
Sol Cho
MDes Interior Architecture
Peer Tutor
Additional Language: Korean

At most times, design requires a process of articulating one's ideas to others. Having a background in design also in my undergraduate studies, I’ve always had to convince colleagues, professors, and employers. Writing has been indispensable for me in preparing my presentations, structurally organizing my ideas, and developing design concepts. Based on this experience, I look forward to working with you on coming up with the most effective way to express yourself!
Sathya Munagamage
MLA Landscape Architecture
Peer Tutor
she/her/hers
Additional Languages: Sinhala

I believe that our words shape our thoughts and writing is a process of translating those shapes into a physical form. I am here to join with you in this continuous translation process. I have experience in publishing academic papers and mentoring students in public speaking during my college years and I look forward to sharing that experience, knowledge and skills.
Anna Glass
MID Industrial Design
Peer Tutor
she/her/hers

Writing is a crucial problem-solving tool that allows me to untangle, clarify, and communicate my ideas to myself and others. I’m known to leave a trail of sticky notes and lists as I work through a project, and I'm always eager to discuss ideas with my peers. I have a BA in Cultural Anthropology and experience with translating field research into engaging narrative. I look forward to sharing these skills and finding what works best for you.
Tina Zhou
MFA Graphic Design
Peer Tutor
she/her/hers
Additional Languages: Cantonese, Mandarin

As a third culture kid who spends too much time on the internet, I love reading, writing, and making things about cultural identity, social issues, and contemporary internet culture. Whether you're looking to brainstorm your way out of a creative block or just someone else’s perspective on your essay, I'm happy to help. Let's find some creativity in the mundane and figure this out together.
Cat Ashley
MFA Digital + Media
Peer Tutor
she/they

Utilizing foundational work in various forms of storytelling, my approach to tutoring is driven by my focus on revision, clarity and embodiment. I’m interested in exploring the relationship between written, spoken, and visual communication through mutual-learning based tutoring. My background in performance and media design have allowed me to assist my peers through process centered learning. I’m up for any sort of problem solving and am excited to be of assistance!
Arete Xu
BFA Sculpture, THAD Concentration
Peer Tutor
she/her/hers
Additional Languages: Mandarin Chinese

Writing is a thrilling craft filled with its fair share of challenges. As a Kiwi-Chinese immigrant, I'm deeply invested in removing barriers to access in writing and helping you find your unique expression. I want to share the beauty of the language and how it can carry your personal narratives. My work is based on my interest in art history, literature, and mythology. Let's work together and grow your creative visions to their fullest potential.
Yukti V. Agarwal
BFA Textiles, THAD Concentration
BA Psychology and Contemplative Studies, Brown University
Peer Tutor
she/her/hers
Additional Languages: Hindi, Sanskrit

I am a multidisciplinary thinker, and more than anything else, I care about creating meaningful work. My work leverages my skills in design, research, and psychology to combine systems-level thinking and human-centered approaches. I specialize in helping others incorporate research—especially around visual and material culture in relation to identity and heritage—into all forms of creative expression, from academic papers to student publications.
Sarkis Antonyan
BFA Interior Architecture
BA Urban Studies, Brown University
Peer Tutor
he/him/his
Additional Languages: Armenian

As a poet and essayist, I use writing to unpack topics and generate unforeseen ideas. I bring my love for experimentation, revision, and specificity to the writing process to convey arguments in nuanced, vivid ways, often by successively layering information to hunt for hidden themes. I relish the fact that writing, through its flow and impressionism, can simultaneously heal and invigorate both writer and audience. I specialize in creative writing, art journalism, academic research, and resume drafting.
Senjuti Sangia
MA Global Arts and Cultures
Peer Tutor
she/her/hers
Additional languages: Bengali, Hindi and Marathi

Growing up in a multilingual home, I have always had to process and articulate information across languages. Over the last few years, my practice has metamorphosed from a designer to a researcher, although primarily existing at the intersections, the “in-between spaces.” My praxis has been an exercise in translation, between languages and between design disciplines. As a tutor, I would like to facilitate your translations so that we can learn and articulate together.
Kevin Zhang
BFA Illustration
Peer Tutor
he/him/his
Additional Languages: Mandarin Chinese

As an illustrator skilled in transforming concepts into visuals, I offer a unique perspective on effective communication. My experience in simplifying complex ideas equips me to convey them in clear, accessible language through the process of organizing ideas. Being a non-native speaker, I empathize with the challenges of fluent writing. I'm enthusiastic about assisting with coming up with content topics, various ways of organizing thoughts, and composition stages from brainstorming to meticulous draft revision.
Jude Bigboy
BFA Printmaking, CTC Concentration
Peer Tutor
he/him

Having written creatively and academically since my pre-college career, writing is now an important part of articulating my artwork—especially when it’s technologically or conceptually intensive. My biggest interests include media analysis and research, especially in the intersections between Art and STEM studies. I approach tutoring as a way to learn about what others are making and learning, and to grow in my own ever-evolving writing experience alongside my peers.
Henry Ding
B.Arch Architecture, HPSS Concentration
Peer Tutor
he/him/his
Additional Languages: Mandarin Chinese

As much as I enjoy writing, trying to express myself can oftentimes become frustrating. But when remembering how language has offered me tenderness in moments of strife, happiness in moments of love, and dedication in moments of inspiration—I fall in love again. How else could I navigate my Chinese-Canadian identity? Or my infatuation with architecture, literature, and politics? Stop by because we all deserve an impactful relationship with writing. And add my Goodreads!
Mina Troise
BFA Illustration, LAS Concentration
Peer Tutor
she/her/hers

A common refrain of mine is that if I weren't an artist, I'd be holed up somewhere writing novels and reading my days away. As a tutor, I hope to fuel that love of language in my peers, whether it be public speaking, creative writing, or ideating your next best thing. Finding my own voice is a joyous lifelong pursuit. It is an even greater joy to help others find theirs!
Grace Demopoulos
BFA Film Animation Video
Peer Tutor
he/him, she/her

Coming from a background involving academic and creative writing, I am thrilled to offer an extra set of eyes and work together with peers to perfect their vision. My strengths lie in my ability to research and my eagerness to connect. Communication is a crucial skill regardless of career or personality type—my goal is to make the language behind it accessible and clear.
Julia Cheng
BFA Illustration
Peer Tutor
she/her/hers
Additional Languages: Mandarin and French

While my current life revolves around art, my first love has always been language. I grew up reading anything I could get my hands on, and became especially interested in research and narrative writing. Now, my focus is largely on organizing abstract ideas and streams into something communicable as I navigate my identity and place in the world. Stop by anytime to chat about pop-culture, media, or whatever else you're up to!
Lana Wang
BFA Illustration, THAD Concentration
Peer Tutor
she/her/hers

Balancing art and academia is crucial within my creative process; I find articulating my art through language helps convey project intentions more effectively and expressively. My background in art history has shown me the power and flexibility of text to accompany art, amplify it, or even change its message entirely. I hope to be of assistance in wielding this potential through my specialties in academic writing and conceptual work.
Emma Levinson
BFA Printmaking, LAS & THAD Concentration
Peer Tutor
she/her/hers

I approach writing similar to my printmaking studio work, trying out different methods and solutions for one (or multiple) final products. Being a process-based worker is very fulfilling to me, both in studio and out, and I would love to help anyone find the same gratification from it as I do. I am especially interested in media-culture analysis, pre-writing planning, and exploring how ideas can flow from project to project.
Zheyun Chen
MLA Landscape Architecture
Peer Tutor
she/her/hers
Additional Languages: Mandarin

As a non-native speaker, writing in English bridges my Mandarin and English mindsets and other languages I know. I appreciate writing as a confrontation with solutionism, for writing helps me analyze the overarching structure and fundamental logic of certain problems, question them rather than answer them. Leveraging my landscape architecture background, I enjoy instilling systems thinking to brainstorming and organizing ideas.