Writing Center Staff
Writing Center Leadership
Regan Joswiak, M.S., Assistant Director
Regan is pursuing a PhD in Technical Communication & Rhetoric from Texas Tech University and holds an M.S. in Technical Communication from the University of Houston-Downtown, a B.A. in English from Sam Houston State University, and an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Blinn College.
Prior to joining the University of Houston-Clear Lake's Writing Center, they worked in the writing centers at the University of Houston-Downtown and College of the Mainland. In the free time they have, they enjoy camping at state parks, getting sucked into the depths of Netflix, and spending time with their dog Lio.
Carole Flad, Lead Writing Consultant, Community Outreach
Carole received her Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction (MS, C&I) degree
from UHCL. Carole, through volunteer work, met her hero who had overcome adversities,
obtained a housekeeping job, worked toward her General Education Diploma (GED), and
persistently pursued her dream of becoming an office worker. Carole was moved to
pursue her goal and passion to teach Adult Education and Literacy, helping other striving
readers and writers to succeed in education and life.
Having worked in Marketing Communications at a global technology company for many
years, Carole’s strengths are business writing, research papers, brainstorming, writing
process (uncovering Big Ideas, developing voice, and revision, revision, and more
revision!). Carole’s love is traveling, reading, and researching innovative ways to
partner with adult learners to instill a love of lifelong learning.
Specialties/Areas of Interest
- Business writing
- Citation style: APA7 and MLA. Gaining efficiency in Chicago style
- Writing process: pre-writing, research, drafting, revising
Russell Zakes, Lead Writing Consultant, Social Media Management
Russell (he/him) has tutored at colleges since 2016. He has substitute-taught for Composition 1 classes, hosted writing workshops, and presided over a creative writing club. Russell will help with any kind of assignment, but his favorites are scholarship essays, critical analysis, and creative writing stories. Overall, he tries to approach writing in a simple and practical way.
When he's not working, Russell likes drawing, watching scary movies, and eating at Olive Garden. 🍝
Writing Consultants
Our consultants work with clients of any discipline, and at any stage of the writing process. You can request a particular consultant when making an appointment. The specialties and bios of our consultants are listed below:
Emily
Emily (she/her) holds a master’s degree in Environmental Management from UHCL, a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Samford University, an associate degree in culinary arts from (what used to be) Florida Culinary Institute, and a Texas teaching certification.
Emily is a facilitator of two community advisory panels (CAPs) in East Harris County: Pasadena Citizens’ Advisory Council (PCAC) and Galena Park-Jacinto City Community-Industry Partnership (GP-JC CIP). There are 9 CAPs in East Harris County, and their mission is to bring together industry and the surrounding communities for dialogue and mutual understanding.
Prior to joining UHCL’s Writing Center in 2021, Emily taught Family and Consumer Sciences at Clear Falls High School in League City; was a newspaper reporter, editor, and page designer for various newspapers in Alabama, Florida, and Houston; and was a free-lance book editor, specializing in cookbooks.
A transplant from Philadelphia, PA, Emily has been a Texas Master Naturalist since 2010 and enjoys everything outdoors: hiking, backpacking, camping, kayaking, SCUBA diving, sailing, sculling, playing in the ocean, gardening, nurturing monarchs, and reading in her hammock chair (when it isn’t 2,000 degrees outside). Emily is an environmentalist and actively teaches others about conservation and waste management (recycling and composting). In her indoor downtime, Emily enjoys reading a variety of genres, writing, cooking/baking, knitting, crocheting, tie-dying, and attending plays and concerts. (Bottle-slumping, glass-cutting, and relearning the violin are next on Emily's “to-learn” list.) Emily is an active volunteer for a variety of community organizations and encourages volunteerism.
Specialties/Areas of Interest
- Citation styles: APA, Associated Press, Chicago/Turabian
- Writing process: Developing ideas, organization, research, editing strategies
- Specialties: Resumes, cover letters, application essays, presentation platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, OneDrive, cookbooks, and recipes
Paresh
Paresh (he/him) has a master’s degree in Literature from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, a bachelor’s degree in Humanities from UHCL, and associate degrees in Business Management and Liberal Arts from Alvin Community College. Additionally, he is an English instructor at ACC. He joined the Writing Center in 2021 and has tutored math and English for over 20 years.
When Paresh is not working, he enjoys traveling, movies, sports (watching and playing), reading, and experiencing new restaurants, cultures, and languages. In his spare time, he especially loves writing. He has completed manuscripts for historical romance novels and children’s picture books. He has also written several screenplays, plays, and TV scripts.
Specialties/Areas of Interest
- Writing process: Brainstorming, pre-process planning, grammar, and transitions
- Discipline: Creative writing
- Citations styles: APA and MLA
- Genres: Admission application essays, discussion board posts, argumentative papers, compare/contrast papers
Sarah
Sarah graduated from UHCL with a Bachelor of Science in General Business and a minor in Professional Writing in May 2024. She has worked at the Writing Center since January 2022 and relishes working with clients to help them become better writers. Sarah has experience leading creative writing workshops on and off campus on topics such as poetry, life writing, and storytelling. Sarah enjoys writing, and her favorite genres to write are poetry, creative nonfiction, and life writing. She also spends time writing for her micro blog, Sincerely Sarah. When not working, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, streaming movies or tv shows, listening to audiobooks, and singing.
Specialties/Areas of Interest
- APA Citations
- Annotated Bibliographies, reflective essays, argumentative essays, rhetorical analysis essays
- Creative Writing: poetry, creative nonfiction, short stories
- Personal Statements
Priscilla
Priscilla is a first-generation college student, pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology, and is aspiring to become a counselor. Enrolled in an early college program in high school, Priscilla graduated with her high school diploma and an associate degree, which gave her a head start in her college education.
When she is not studying, Priscilla often volunteers with the Hawk Leadership Institute, Hawks for Community, and Psychology Club on campus. Priscilla enjoys helping others in any way she can, whether she is volunteering, donating, or providing her talents and availability to anyone in need. Priscilla also enjoys writing, whether it’s her novels, an essay for class, or even a research paper. Being able to combine her values of helping others and her love for writing has made becoming a Writing Consultant something she strived for.
Specialties/ Areas of Interest
- Citations styles: APA
- Writing Process: Brainstorming, pre-process planning, outlining, drafting, researching
- Specialties: Research papers
Nadia
Nadia is a graduate of UHCL and San Jacinto College, holding a B.A. in literature
with a minor in professional writing, and an A.A. in communications. Nadia is skilled
in writing research papers and has presented multiple of them at academic conferences.
She also writes a variety of creative pieces such as novels, screenplays, poems, and
short stories, including one short story that she has published in a literary magazine.
Outside of writing, Nadia is also deeply passionate about horror films, theatre, mid-century
fashion, ’80s metal, and classic literature. On campus, Nadia can be seen as part
of the UHCL Storytellers.
Erin F.
Erin has a Master's in Psychology from UHCL. In addition to being a consultant at the Writing Center, she also has a baking business specializing in decorated cookies, cake-pops, cupcakes, and cakes. She is a dog mom of two Chihuahuas and a Labrador. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading mystery/thriller books, fishing, traveling, and anything outdoors. Erin is passionate about writing but understands that to others it may seem intimidating or difficult. Helping others gain confidence in their writing, learn skills, and succeed is what she loves most about being a consultant.
Yusra
Yusra is an undergraduate student at UHCL pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. She has always had a passion for reading and writing and enjoys challenging herself to branch out into different genres. Yusra has been helping students and her fellow peers with their writing for years through tutoring and proofreading, and she loves being able to assist others at any stage of the writing process as a Peer Writing Consultant.
Specialties/Areas of Interest:
- Grammar, syntax, proofreading, outlining
- Genres: Literary analysis, argumentative essays, expository essays, proposal writing, creative writing
Binh
Binh (she/her) is currently enrolled in the RN-BSN program at the UHCL and hopes to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing by May 2026. She has experience with academic writing in nursing but also enjoys creative writing, with a particular interest in brainstorming and organizing stages of the writing process. Outside of school and work, Binh is learning to play classical guitar and loves exploring new coffee shops and restaurants.
Clara
Clara (she/they) is a student at UHCL pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She has always enjoyed reading and writing, as well as helping those around her with writing questions. Clara is familiar with brainstorming and outlining, research and argument papers, MLA and APA style, and grammar. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and playing the piano.
Aisha
Aisha (she/her) is pursuing a Graphic Design B.F.A., and her areas of interest and specialization in writing are MLA format, creative writing, analytical and persuasive writing, grammar, clarity, revision, and brainstorming. Her hobbies include painting, sketching, long walks in nature, and trying different varieties of teas.
Office Assistants
Alisha
Alisha (she/her) is a senior at the University of Houston–Clear Lake pursuing a degree in Management Information Systems. She transferred from the University of Houston, where she previously studied Mechanical Engineering. In her free time, she loves to channel her creativity through art, get lost in a good book, and relax by spending time with her pets. She is also actively involved on campus, having served as President-Elect of the American Marketing Association at UHCL, and enjoys staying engaged in various student organizations.






