Meet the Staff
Jaclyn Wells, Director
Jaclyn received a Ph.D. in English (Rhetoric and Composition) from Purdue University in 2010. Her book, Partners in Literacy: A Writing Center Model for Civic Engagement (co-authored with Allen Brizee), describes a three-year engagement project involving the Purdue OWL and two adult literacy organizations in Lafayette, Indiana. Jaci has directed the UWC since 2012. She is SafeZone certified. You can read more about her on the Department of English website.
Fun Facts: To date, Jaclyn has never lost a game of Seinfeld trivia. Her corgi mix, Travis, is Instagram famous.
Brianna Carnley, Program Manager
Bri graduated from UAB in April 2022. Her major was English with a concentration in creative writing and her minor was philosophy. Before becoming the UWC's Program Manager, she worked as a tutor during her senior year. She is also a graduate student at UAB pursuing a Master’s of English.
Fun Facts: Her favorite musicians of all time are Florence and the Machine and Hozier. She loves to talk about movies; some of her favorites include The Princess Bride (1987), The Mummy (1999), Howl's Moving Castle (2004), and Pride & Prejudice (2005).
Clay Birchfield, Graduate Assistant Director
Clay is a second-year Graduate Teaching Assistant for the English Department and one of the Graduate Assistant Directors for the Writing Center. He received his B.A. in English in 2023 and is now researching Late Medieval Romances in the master's program at UAB.
Fun Facts: A true jack-of-all-trades, Clay is an amateur blacksmith, a proficient drummer, a massive fantasy nerd, and a half-decent fisherman. His favorite movie is A Knight’s Tale, and his favorite book (right now) The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russel.
Maria Bunting, Graduate Assistant Director
Maria is an MA student in English focusing on Rhetoric/Composition. She is a first-generation student and the first to pursue a Master's in her family. She holds a B.A. in English Writing with minors in Applied Humanities and Psychology from Mississippi College. Maria loves helping students piece together their ideas and making them feel confident in their writing!
Fun Facts: Maria loves the Peanuts and both of her cars have been named after Peanuts characters (Woodstock, a yellow car, and Lucy, a blue car).
Dani, Tutoring Coordinator
Dani graduated with her AS in General Studies from Calhoun Community College, where she worked as a Psychology and English tutor. Now, she's studying at UAB as an undergraduate Psychology major and Neuroscience minor while working at the UWC front desk in the evenings.
Fun Facts: Dani has been a huge K-Pop fan ever since her freshman year of high school, and she loves tiny food—because tiny food tastes objectively better than normal-sized food.
Anaya, Graduate Tutor
Anaya is a MA student studying English Rhetoric and Composition. She received her BA in Communications with a specialization in Public Relations and a minor in Professional Writing from UAB in 2022. After completing the graduate program, Anaya hopes to teach English in higher education./p>
Fun Facts: Anaya has two dogs, Theodore and Margot, two chickens, Marigold and Delilah, and a cat named Maeve, who take up most of her free time. She hopes that one day they will all live together in harmony.
Anna, Graduate Tutor
Anna is a second-year MA student with a concentration in literature. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 2024 with a BA in English and Political Science and a minor in Business. She is currently writing her thesis on Ernest Hemingway's collection of short stories, In Our Time.
Fun Facts: Anna is a cat person, and she loves to bake, run, and read.
Anoushka, Undergraduate Tutor
Anoushka is an undergraduate tutor double-majoring in English literature and Japanese. Though their concentration is literature, Anoushka helps with the Birmingham Poetry Review, and attended the Longleaf Creative Writers Conference this past summer. This semester, they’re enrolled in three Japanese classes and writing their literature thesis on themes of anorexia in the Bronte sisters’ novels. Anoushka’s favorite sessions involve idea generation. In their free time, Anoushka can typically be found lost in a book/collection of poems, watching sports, playing video games, or tending to their cat, Zuko.
Fun Facts: Anoushka’s cat, Zuko, is indeed named after the Avatar: the Last Airbender character of the same name.
Audre, Graduate Tutor
Audre is a second-year graduate student earning her MA in English focusing on Creative Writing. She's a HBCU grad from Alcorn State University in Mississippi for English Literature. She had two and half years of experience tutoring and has enjoyed helping her fellow students. She has a deep love for fiction, especially fantasy and sci-fi and is interested in working in the Publishing Industry someday. Once she finishes her degree, she plans to take on some work in social media management.
Fun Facts: She's almost always knows some strange lore about something random.
Breaze, Undergraduate Tutor
Breaze is a sophomore majoring in Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Science with a minor in Psychology. Breaze has a passion for Disability Rights and accessibility for all. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Breaze plans to pursue her doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy.
Fun Facts: Breaze’s favorite artist is Noah Kahan, whom she regularly listens to with her (orange) cat, Pumpkin, who is also her entire world.
BriAnna, Undergraduate Tutor
BriAnna is a junior student majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing, and a minor in legal affairs. She plans to pursue a Master's in English before attending law school and aspires to be a district attorney someday.
Fun Facts: She has a grey and white cat named Violet that loves warm cuddles. BriAnna loves to write various forms of fiction and binge watch 80s soap operas in her free time.
Dillon, Undergraduate Tutor
Dillon is undergraduate sophomore from Huntsville, Alabama majoring in English and Psychology. For his sanity, do not ask him what exactly wants to do with it. However, he does hope to do higher education and work with upper high school and college students.
Fun Facts: Dillon will never say no to ramen and is a dedicated Ariana Grande fan.
EG, Undergraduate Tutor
EG is a senior double majoring in English literature and secondary education. Her dream is to teach high school English in her 1920s themed classroom. EG loves to read just about anything and equally loves writing about them!
Fun Facts: EG has stayed in F. Scott Fitzgerald house, and she was president of the UAB Ballroom Dance Society for two years!
Elliot, Undergraduate Tutor
Elliot is a Sophomore English major, concentrating in creative writing. He plans to eventually write a poetry collection and would like to teach creative writing in the future.
Fun Facts: He enjoys reading and writing poetry and spends his free time remaking the same kind of playlist on Spotify, just with a different name. He can solve a 3x3 Rubik’s Cube in under two minutes.
Emma, Undergraduate Tutor
Emma is a senior neuroscience major at UAB and a master’s student in the Multidisciplinary Biomedical Sciences program. She conducts research on retinal synaptic function in the context of diabetes and ER stress and plans to pursue a career in optometry after graduation. Emma enjoys connecting science to real-world applications and helping her peers approach learning with curiosity and confidence.
Fun Facts: Emma loves dark fantasy art and storytelling, has a red rose and ladybug tattoo that she plans to incorporate into a full sleeve design, and is known among her friends for her meticulously organized schedules and creative projects.
Emmett, Adjunct Tutor
Emmett is a doctoral student at the University of Alabama. He earned his BA and MA from UAB in 2015 and 2022 respectively. His poetry has been published in Aura Literary Magazine, Screen Door Review, Rogue Agent, and Black Napkin Press. His academic research aims to celebrate the Southern Queer Experience. He has three cats – Watson, Bear, and Rudy – that can be spotted on the UWC Pet Wall.
Fun Facts: Emmett is 70% Diet Coke.
Gracie, Undergraduate Tutor
Gracie has worked as a Psychology and English tutor for three years. After taking a Psychology class during her first year of college, she fell in love with the field. Gracie hopes to graduate and pursue a career that will allow her to advocate for teen mental health within school systems.
Fun Facts: Gracie loves plants and has pet snails! She has 20+ snails with the largest being the size of your palm.
Jack, Undergraduate Tutor
Jack is a junior undergraduate student majoring in English, with a concentration in literature. In the future, he might enter law school and would enjoy a career either as a lawyer or a fiction writer.
Fun Facts: Jack grew up in Kansas City and has been a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs since he was eight years old. His favorite book is Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, and his favorite TV show is The Simpsons – but only the old seasons.
Kayla, Undergraduate Tutor
Kayla is an undergraduate student double-majoring in English and Secondary Education. She is currently pursuing her bachelor's in hopes of becoming an English Language Arts teacher after she graduates.
Fun Facts: Kayla is a Pisces (whatever that means) and enjoys fishkeeping. When she's not fretting over her hypersensitive German shepherd mix, she's visiting pet stores and making huge plans for her modest freshwater tank.
Lauren, Adjunct Tutor
Lauren earned her M.A. in English Literature from UAB and now works for UAB's Neonatology division where she assists the faculty with writing and editing. During grad school, she tutored in the UWC and taught English Composition. Lauren loves helping students with all types of papers and projects.
Fun Facts: In her free time, Lauren enjoys a variety of crafts like knitting, crocheting, sewing, and embroidery.
Ligaya, Undergraduate Tutor
Ligaya is a junior Psychology Major and Sociology Minor. He hopes to one day become a Child Psychologist. Ligaya loves all types of literature, but his favorite writing assignments to assist with are presentations, speeches, poems, scholarship & award short answer questions, and analysis/argumentative essays.
Fun Facts: Ligaya loves making art, going thrifting, collecting trinkets, and going to the gym. His current favorite author is Amy Tan.
Liz, Undergraduate Tutor
Liz is a junior majoring in chemistry with a minor in biology. Armed with a background in science and a love for reading, she’s prepared to help with papers of all kinds.
Fun Facts: Liz likes to draw in her free time, and has written and illustrated several comics for competitions.
Lorice, Adjunct Tutor
Lorice is an Adjunct English Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where she currently teaches Freshman Composition. With a passion for nurturing young minds, she also writes children’s books, inspired by her desire to encourage her young family members to develop a love for reading.
Fun Facts: In her free time, Lorice has taken up gardening—a hobby that, much like her writing, involves plenty of patience and a sense of humor. While her plants don’t always cooperate, she remains optimistic that one day her garden will flourish. Until then, she’s mastering the art of growing weeds and keeping pesky insects well-fed.
Macy, Undergraduate Tutor
Macy is a sophomore double majoring in English Literature and Secondary Education. She enjoys rock climbing, reading, and watching movies.
Fun Facts: Macy has published two collections of poetry.
Madeline, Undergraduate Tutor
Madeline graduated with a BA in English and a BS in psychology. She is currently taking a gap year to work as a research assistant in a cognitive therapy lab. Her goal is to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. She loves helping students with writing for both English and science coursework. The collaborative process of brainstorming is her favorite!
Fun Facts: Madeline loves to crochet cool stuff for her friends, go on long runs, and listen to music (current favorites: Twenty One Pilots, Sleep Token, Lady Gaga, Marina, and Conan Gray). One of her favorite undergraduate projects was her creative writing thesis — a graphic novel script about an unconventional girl navigating the anxieties of middle school and finding the road to genuine friendship.
Marsh, Adjunct Tutor
Marsh is an adjunct professor in UAB’s English department. They recently earned their Master’s degree and hope to pursue a PhD studying modern environmental literature next fall. Their critical work has been published in the Edith Wharton Review and in Critical Insights: Kate Chopin, but Marsh hopes to break into the creative writing world. When not working at the writing center, Marsh is either teaching Freshman Composition somewhere else on campus or spending time outside. Their favorite writing center appointments are brainstorming appointments!
Fun Facts: Marsh is either outside right now, or wishes they were. They are utterly convinced they could win one of those outdoor-survival shows, despite evidence to the contrary.
Mary Martin, Graduate Tutor
Mary Martin is a first-year grad studying English literature. She received her BA in Communication with a concentration in Journalism from UAB in 2025. After she receives her MA she hopes to work towards getting her PHD. Mary Martin loves literature and hopes to work as a professor in the future.
Fun Facts: Mary Martin is constantly reading or watching movies, so don't hesitate to spark up a conversation about your favorites or swap recommendations with her! When she isn't visiting her parents and poodle, Olive, back home she can often be found exploring with a Matcha in hand and her film camera over her shoulder.
Maya, Graduate Tutor
Maya is a second year PhD student studying Environmental Health Sciences with a specific focus in Industrial Hygiene. She received her Bachelor's of Science in Public Health at UAB in the spring of 2023 and loved it so much she came back to continue her education. Passionate about health literacy and access, Maya plans to use her love of scientific communication to connect findings from research labs to her community to improve health outcomes. At the writing center, Maya loves to see her students grow in their scientific writing and personal statements.
Fun Facts: Maya loves to travel and has studied abroad in England and Wales. In her spare time, she loves to take up new “grandma” hobbies, like cross stitch, macrame, and attempting to bake sourdough bread. One of her ultimate goals is to convince her cats it’s fun to go outside and be adventure kitties.
Okoli, Graduate Tutor
Okoli Stephen Nonso is a first-year graduate student with a pathway in Creative Writing, specializing in poetry. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His work explores the poetics of place, history, memory, and cultural identity. His poems have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. In December 2024, he won the Muse Journal Award for Best Literary Artist of the Year.
Fun Facts: Okoli likes to argue with Chinua Achebe’s characters in his head while pretending Lagos noise is part of the plot.
Reagan, Graduate Tutor
Reagan is a first-year graduate student majoring in English. She received a B.A. In English while minoring in Psychology from Troy University. While studying at Troy, she was able to gain experience in tutoring and is excited to apply those skills in the Writing Center.
Fun Facts: Reagan's favorite book series is the Hunger Games and she is a Tippi Toe's Dance Instructor here in Birmingham teaching ages from 24 months to 5-year-olds.
Reed, Graduate Tutor
Reed is currently a first-year graduate teaching assistant. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a major in English in May 2025. He is originally from Booneville, MS. After graduation he hopes to pursue a PhD In English. He is excited to start working with the other UAB graduate students. He loves all types of literature, but some of his favorite authors are Geoff Johns, Michael Crichton, and Jeph Loeb. He is an avid reader of comic books.
Fun Facts: Reed loves movies. Reed even has a Letterboxd account, and he celebrated five years on the platform with a party! His four favorite films are Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Superman, Back to the Future, and Tarzan. He won Michelle Obama's Kid's State Dinner cooking contest, and he and his parents got to go to the White House and meet President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. He was also a Time for Kid's reporter. He kept reporting during his college career, because he wrote for The Reflector (Mississippi State's student paper). He is a BYX alum.
Roman, Undergraduate Tutor
Roman is a second-year undergrad majoring in Applied Physics with a minor in Creative Writing. His passion for writing arose from the intersection of science and humanities. When not writing or doing physics, he can be found planespotting at Birmingham International Airport or reading by the koi pond at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Fun Facts: He speaks Russian and can play Minecraft songs on the piano.
Tamaa, Graduate Tutor
Tamaa is a second-year graduate student in English and the author of two novels. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications Studies (Journalism Major) from the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 2020, and her Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Ghana in 2024. She also served as the Director of Communications for the Federation of African Law Students. To Tamaa, sharing the little knowledge she has with others, is a way to get a deeper understanding of things, ideas and perspectives.
Fun Facts: Tamaa is a literary blogger and loves to read fiction. In her spare time, she likes to draw and watch movies. She is a lover of long tennis, and a fitness enthusiast.
Trice, Graduate Tutor
Trice is a first-year English M.A. student concentrating on creative writing. He received his B.S. in English Education at Auburn University in 2022. He spent the next three years teaching ninth-grade English at Auburn Junior High School. In a previous (perhaps future?) life, he worked as a journalist. He can often be found reading, writing, or taking photos of birds.
Fun Facts: His favorite author is Ursula K. Le Guin, and his favorite musician is Adrianne Lenker from the band Big Thief.
Tucker, Graduate Tutor
Tucker is a second-year graduate student studying English Literature. He holds a BA in English from Birmingham-Southern College, graduating in 2022. His favorite writers include Flannery O'Connor, Cormac McCarthy, Jennifer Egan, and George Saunders.
Fun Facts: Tucker is a die-hard New York Knicks fan.