Meet our team

Leadership

Erik Echols

Director, Learning Commons

Erik brings over 20 years of experience advancing peer learning and student success at UW Bothell. Beginning his career as a peer tutor, he has dedicated his work to creating collaborative, student-centered learning environments. His leadership focuses on developing strong peer educators, expanding access to academic support, and building programs that help students grow as writers, quantitative thinkers, and self-directed learners. He finds the greatest reward in mentoring students and celebrating the impact they make at UW Bothell and beyond.

Mina Haines

Academic Success Coach

Comparison is the thief of joy. This phrase is simple yet incredibly impactful. It can also be used to describe the core of academic success coaching. As a UWB and UW Seattle alum, I have experienced two different sides of the same husky coin and can attest to how often feelings of uncertainty and comparison culture can occur in academia, specifically college. In my role, I strive to aid students in their journey to find academic and personal strategies that will carry them through college and beyond without letting self-doubt affect their experiences.

Emma Pates

Assistant Manager, Quantitative Skills Center

Emma has been part of the leadership team for four years. She graduated from the CSSE program with minors in Mathematics and Data Science. Her work focuses on improving quantitative tutoring within the Learning Commons. As a QSC tutor, she loved seeing students become more confident learners; today, she enjoys supporting tutors as they develop their practice. She is passionate about continuously improving the systems and processes that support the Learning Commons, making them more organized, sustainable, and effective for students and staff.

Front Desk Coordinator

Danika Thompson
Senior Lead
Lead Coordinator

Major: Mathematics

Mariyah Hicks

Major: Media & Communications

Aleksandra Kozielczyk

Major: Biology

Sayaka Nakashima

Major: Business Administration

QSC Tutors

Rayhan Irfan
QSC Lead

Major: Computer Science and Software Engineering
Specializes in: Computer Science, Math, Physics, Statistics, Excel, HTML, Python, C++, Java, C, Javascript

Owen Provonost
QSC Lead

Major: Electrical Engineering
Specializes in: Math, Physics, Electrical Engineering

Abigail Houtari
QSC Lead

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Specializes in: Chemistry, Math, Mechanical Engineering, Physics

Quinn Corum

Major: Biochemistry
Specializes in: Chemistry, Math, Physics

Riley Hart

Major: Physics
Specializes in: Math, Physics

Jamie Ing

Major: Electrical Engineering
Specializes in: Math

Sohail Chutani

Major: Computer Engineering
Specializes in: Math, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science

Alex Ryse

Major: Computer Science & Software Engineering (Masters)
Specializes in: Computer Science, Math, Statistics, C, Python, Excel, HTML, Java, Javascript

Easton Young

Major: Biochemistry
Specializes in: Chemistry, Biology, Math

Zane Liang

Major: Computer Science & Software Engineering (Masters)
Specializes in: Computer Science, Python

Jennifer Varkey

Major: Computer Engineering
Specializes in: Computer Science, Java, C++

Saachi Ashar

Major: Data Visualization
Specializes in: Computer Science

Aidan Davis

Major: Biology
Specializes in: Biology, Chemistry

Baoming Wang

Specializes in: Biology, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science, Math, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Statistics

WaCC Tutors

Liam Hunter

Senior Lead

Degrees: BA in Law, Economics, & Public Policy

I enjoy seeing students’ unique writing styles and engaging in research discussions through their individual perspectives. I like strategic, competitive video games, played tennis for six years, and have an interest in poetry. I also can’t imagine winter without relaxing with a cat in a warm kotatsu. I struggle with Scantron tests, as the format and constant back-and-forth tend to negatively impact my performance, even on writing-related questions.

Cecilia Negash

WaCC Lead

Major: Educational Studies

I’m excited to meet new people through the WaCC and work collaboratively while continuing to grow both academically and personally. I enjoy taking photos on my digital camera and capturing meaningful moments, then printing my favorites for a photo wall in my room. One challenge I’ve faced is asking for help. I avoided going to the WaCC during my freshman year even when it would have benefited me. I’m working on this and hope my time here will help me improve.

Nya Maddox

WaCC Lead

Major: Media & Communication Studies

I enjoy working through writing problems with students because it challenges me to think in new ways and helps build their confidence while improving my own skills. I spend my free time collaging, listening to music and audiobooks, playing games with friends, visiting cafes, reading, and watching movies. My main academic struggles are procrastination and finding motivation, as getting started is often the hardest part for me.

Marika Radlauer

WaCC Lead

Major: MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics

I’m excited to help my peers strengthen their unique voices and build confidence in their writing. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, collaging, altering and dyeing clothes, and making toys for my cat. I’ve always struggled with deciding on a topic for my essays.

Hafsa Atif

Major: Law and Public Policy

I love how supportive and welcoming the UWB tutoring community is, as it makes asking for help feel comfortable and judgment-free. Math has always been one of my biggest academic challenges, which first led me to seek tutoring in high school. Outside of academics, I enjoy reading, fashion, and Marvel movies, especially Spider-Man, which has always been a source of comfort for me.

Omnia Quijas

Major: MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics

I love encouraging others to think and express their ideas through writing in a way that reflects their unique thought processes. I sometimes struggle to balance assignment requirements with my own creative goals, but I enjoy finding ways to bring them together. Outside of academics, I enjoy exploring different creative mediums, including writing, painting, sculpture, and film.

Basil Torres

Major: MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics

I love helping students recognize their own knowledge and build confidence in their abilities. I personally struggle with math and science, and outside of academics, I enjoy creative writing, video games, and fashion.

Nicholas Taylor

Major: Data Visualization

I love the peaceful atmosphere of campus and enjoy asking questions, which I get to incorporate into my tutoring and field of study while helping others. I find preparing for exams challenging, and outside of academics, I’m interested in hiking, cooking, working out, and I recently bought a DJ controller.

David Jimenez

Major: Biology

I enjoy observing and supporting the unique writing styles and voices of others throughout their writing process. I have personally struggled with procrastination and time management, but using planners, detailed schedules, and seeking help early have helped me improve. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing jazz piano, which I’ve loved since I was five, as well as hairstyling, video games, art, and hiking.

Nicki Shirazi

Major: Electrical Engineering (intended)