Patricia Adamczyk
Hi! I鈥檓 Patricia, and I鈥檓 working towards my English BA with a concentration in writing. I am also in the Mazzucchelli Honors program and have a minor in marketing. I rediscovered my love for writing early on in high school and have been strengthening it ever since. I chose English as my major since I love to analyze and discuss literature and felt that I would enjoy a field of study focused on writing. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing tennis, sunbathing at the beach, and collecting notebooks. After graduation, I plan to earn an MA in English and work in advertising.
Hobbies/Interests
Journaling, long walks in the woods, swimming, sunbathing, tennis, listening to Depeche Mode, watching Greys' Anatomy and spending time at the lake.
What Being a Writing Fellow Means to Me
Being a Writing Fellow means the ability to support my peers through all stages of the writing process! I have always enjoyed reading other people鈥檚 writing and helping them edit their work to craft a piece that they are confident about. There have been points in my life where I felt shy about my writing, not feeling it was good enough and I look forward to helping others overcome their doubts having once been there myself.
Favorite Book/Intellectual Passion
My favorite book is Lord of the Flies by William Golding. I first read it for class in high school and have since reread it a handful of times. Both the plot and Golding鈥檚 prose fascinate me. Each of his sentences is so artfully structured with such vivid imagery. It鈥檚 the book that inspired me to read more classics, write my own fiction, and fall in love with literature.
Robin DuFresne
Hi! My name is Madison, but I also go by Robin. I'm a double major in psychology and English. I've always been a big reader and actually found my passion for psychology after coming across a book in the seventh grade. Besides reading and writing, in my free time I like to play drums in a band and practice Roller Derby with the Windy City Rollers! In the future I'd like to be a clinical therapist and hopefully get some work published on the side.
Hobbies/Interests
Roller Derby, music, Dungeons and Dragons, reading and writing, weightlifting and crafting
What Being a Writing Fellow Means to Me
To me, being a Writing Fellow means the chance to help others by doing what I love. At the same time, I get the opportunity to experience different learning and communication styles firsthand, which strengthens my understanding of psychology. I know that the range of perspectives helps in further connecting me to the students here at Dominican as well.
Intellectual Passion/Favorite Text
Contact by Carl Sagan and The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury are some of my favorite books. Bradbury's style of writing and magical realism never fail to inspire me, and I love Sagan's commentary on humanity and hope. Additionally, Sagan filled Contact with astronomy facts, and I felt like I learned a lot while reading it.
Lucy Fiorito
Hi! My name is Lucy and I鈥檓 a senior here at Dominican. As an English major, my classes are helping me develop both my writing skills and long-time love of reading. Outside of school, I work as an assistant teacher at a preschool. Teaching has made such a positive impact on my life, and I鈥檓 excited to continue helping and learning from others in the writing center!
Hobbies/Interests
I enjoy traveling, hiking, going to the gym, and taking art classes. I also love to visit museums and go for runs and bike rides along the lakefront.
What Being a Writing Fellow Means to Me
Being a Writing Fellow is extremely meaningful to me because I have experienced the power you gain when you apply yourself to your writing. Being able to communicate effectively through writing can open countless doors and create opportunities in every field of study. I want to help others strengthen this skill, because everyone deserves to share what they think, both effectively and authentically. Beyond academic and professional matters, writing is a way to connect with others and even yourself. Writing is an extension of yourself, and it is important now more than ever to utilize this skill. As a transfer student, I have had the privilege of witnessing how unique and impactful the Dominican faculty and students are. Being a part of this community has been a wonderful experience and has deepened my love of learning and helping others.
Favorite Book/Intellectual Passion
My favorite book is Summer by Edith Wharton. I picked it up on a whim a few summers ago and couldn鈥檛 put it down. Wharton treats her characters with great care and precision, and her ability to engage and transport her readers has been an inspiration in my own writing. Aside from Wharton, my other favorite writers include bell hooks, Kate Chopin, Kafka, and Virginia Woolf
Sophia Lohmeier
I'm Sophia, I'm a current sophomore double majoring in marketing and sports management. I'm also on the basketball team! I love the critical thinking skills I've learned from reading/writing and the ways they've changed my perspective! Outside of school and basketball, I love doing yoga, making iced coffee, hanging out with friends, and being outside.
Hobbies/Interests
Basketball, yoga, running, hanging out with friends and watching sports games
What being a Writing Fellow Means to Me
I'm excited to meet new people and learn about them! I love how writing opens doors to hear
about someone's unique perspective and ideas. My job is to help you communicate these ideas!
Favorite Book/Intellectual Passion
One of my favorite books is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. It poses a plethora of interesting questions about humanity, relationships, survival, what it truly means to be yourself, and social acceptance. There's also a movie, which is good, but I definitely think the book is better.
Lewis MacPherson
My name is Lewis MacPherson, and I am a senior majoring in English with a concentration in Writing. I am from Portland, Oregon and came to Dominican University to play for the men鈥檚 soccer team. I also love the faculty and student community and the school's proximity to the endless opportunities in Chicago. I am highly dedicated to academics and athletics, and consider myself a lifelong learner, committed to maximizing my learning from as many people as possible.
Hobbies and Interests
Playing soccer, working out, spending time with friends and family, watching sports, hiking, traveling, cooking/eating different cuisines, reading and writing, and doing crossword puzzles/brain games.
What Being a Writing Fellow Means to Me
Being a Writing Fellow is highly meaningful to me because I have a deep passion for helping people and witnessing their success. I really enjoy investing in other people鈥檚 work and learning about their process while also getting to know them personally. I cannot wait to learn from my fellow students and play a role in their learning and growth.
Intellectual Passion/Favorite Book
My favorite book is Javier Zamora鈥檚 Solito because it opened my eyes to the lifelong hardships of immigration and afforded me a far greater empathy for the immigrant experience. I found Zamora鈥檚 style to be incredibly powerful in exposing the arbitrary nature of prejudice and the borders society draws. He recounts his immigrant journey from the perspective of his younger self, as his innocence and childhood experience are forced to bear the brunt of the evil these invented borders induce.
Elizabeth Martinez
Hi! My name is Elizabeth Martinez, and I鈥檓 a senior majoring in political science with a minor in women and gender studies. I am passionate about community building and advocating for marginalized voices, especially within the Latina community. On campus, I serve as the president and founder of Cafecito y Chisme, a Latina empowerment organization focused on connection, growth, and support. Beyond campus, I work as a youth counselor at my local parish and run a small business where I design custom orders and manage social media content. As a Writing Fellow, I鈥檓 excited to help students develop their unique voices and grow more confident in their academic writing.
Hobbies/Interests
Trying new coffee shops, reading memoirs/nonfiction, yoga and baking
What Being a Writing Fellow Means to Me
Being a Writing Fellow means creating a supportive space where all students feel seen, heard, and empowered in their writing. It鈥檚 an opportunity to walk alongside others in their learning journey and share in the process of growth and discovery. I believe writing can be both a tool for academic success and a means of empowerment.
Intellectual Passion/Favorite Text
One of my favorite books is For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodr铆guez. I first read it during my senior year of high school, and its powerful exploration of identity, cultural duality, and spirituality deeply resonated with me. It was the first book that truly reflected my experiences as a Latina and made me feel seen and empowered. Whenever I face moments of self-doubt or need encouragement, I revisit specific chapters to remind myself that I am not alone and that my voice matters.
Lorena Murguia
Hi everybody! My name is Lorena Murguia. I am an English major. I hope to take my English degree and one day become an Imagineer for the Walt Disney Company. For those of you who don't know, the Imagineers are the people responsible for bringing Disney鈥檚 fantastical worlds and beloved characters to life. One day, when I become a part of their team, I will be responsible for creating storyboards for new attractions and cultivating ideas for a new cruise line, theme park, or resort. In the meantime, I love spending time with my family and friends, trying new places to eat, or jamming to music in the car.
Hobbies/Interests
Playing softball, singing, listening to music, watching Disney/Marvel movies, cooking, traveling, and meeting new people
What Being a Writing Fellow Means to Me
Being a writing fellow gives me the opportunity to help other students gain confidence in their writing skills! While we all might not be published authors, everyone possesses writing skills. The hardest part of the writing process is getting started and I want to help students find their story within their prompts!
Favorite Book/Intellectual Passion
My favorite book by far has to be Sandra Cisneros' The House on Mango Street. I read this book as a freshman in high school, and it was the first book I read where I felt seen as a reader. Sandra Cisneros uses short stories within this book to describe her experience as a Mexican American woman. This was my first time reading a piece that captured in words how I have been feeling my whole life. I have always felt like a weird middle in between my two identities, as I鈥檓 sure other first-generation students have felt within their lifetime. It was so refreshing to read a book that wasn鈥檛 purely fantastical fiction or a romance, but a book about an experience many go through. I love that book to pieces and highly recommend it!
Ally Pea
My name is Ally Pea. I am a junior fashion merchandising major with minors in Italian and digital journalism.
Hobbies/Interests
I love DIY projects, hockey (Go Blackhawks!), and old movies. I鈥檓 passionate about studying the costuming in movies. I love learning how the costumes advance the story being told.
What Being a Writing Fellow Means to Me
I am so excited to become a Writing Fellow! I want to take this opportunity to help students feel more confident in their writing abilities.
Vanessa Solis
Hi! My name is Vanessa Solis, and I am majoring in neuroscience with a concentration in neurobiology. In the future, I hope to work in the medical field by doing research or caring for patients. I have lived in a Chicago suburb my entire life, but my family's roots are in Zacatecas, Mexico. I love visiting my relatives in the motherland because we gather to eat great food while sharing stories. Therefore, I hope to embrace my humble beginnings that fueled my passion for writing as I assist my peers at Dominican, reminding them of the simplicity yet significance of their personal experiences.
Hobbies/Interests
Hiking/exploring nature, reading, theology and religion, cooking, learning different languages and cultures, and cleaning and organizing
What Being a Writing Fellow Means to Me
Being a Writing Fellow means I can help others embed their voices into unexpected places like essays and class assignments. I look forward to mutual learning and meeting new people through the internship. One of my goals is to lessen the barrier between STEM and humanities, noting their vitality and interdependence.
Favorite Book/Intellectual Passion
Having a driven personality and enamored by self-improvement, reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho highlighted the purpose of life, inspiring me to explore the world around me with an open mind.
Meredith Stiles
My name is Meredith Stiles, and I鈥檓 a graduate student in the Master of Social Work program. I鈥檓 also a parent to five amazing kids, three of whom joined our family through foster care adoption. My professional and academic work centers on advocacy, equity, and trauma-informed care.
Hobbies and Interests
I love reading, gardening, and exploring nature with my family. I鈥檓 also passionate about supporting neurodivergent kids and fostering inclusion in school and community spaces.
What Being a Writing Fellow Means to Me
Being a Writing Fellow is an opportunity to walk alongside others in their learning journey. I believe writing is not just about grammar or structure鈥攊t鈥檚 a way to find your voice and share your story. I鈥檓 excited to help others grow in confidence as thinkers and communicators.
Favorite Book/Intellectual Passion
Two of my favorite books are Book Lovers by Emily Henry and When in Rome by Sarah Adams. Both offer humor, warmth, and emotional depth while celebrating love, personal growth, and the importance of meaningful relationships. I enjoy books that let me escape for a while but still leave me thinking and feeling more connected by the end.
Aiden Weeks
I鈥檓 Aiden, and I鈥檓 a sophomore at Dominican! I鈥檓 majoring in fashion merchandising, with minors in French and Francophone studies and marketing. I developed a love for writing in high school through participating in my school鈥檚 speech team, and have only grown to love it more and more! Beyond Writing Fellows, I鈥檓 also involved in Dominican鈥檚 theatre clubs and activities.
Hobbies/Interests
Theatre, visual arts, reading webcomics, watching YouTube and sewing
What Being a Writing Fellow Means to Me
To me, being a writing fellow is about helping people create something they are proud of. I know writing can be scary and difficult at times, and I鈥檓 excited to lend a helping hand in breaking down those barriers and helping my peers become more confident writers.
Intellectual Passion/Favorite Book
Even though it鈥檚 a book for kids and I read it years ago, my favorite book has to be Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart. I found the book when I was 13 and struggling to see my identity represented around me. I searched my school鈥檚 library to try and find any books with transgender characters, which led to the librarian borrowing the book from another school for me. There are many elements of the book that are overly simplified and don鈥檛 fully hold up today, but at the time, this book gave me a sense of belonging I couldn鈥檛 find anywhere else. The book isn鈥檛 deep or philosophical, but it still makes me understand the impact that literature can have on people and communities.