Donna McGee Thompson

Donna joined the Student Learning Commons as a Learning Services Coordinator when it opened in 2006 and became Head of the department in August 2011. Prior to joining the SLC, Donna had served at SFU’s Health and Counselling Centre as Learning Skills Coordinator; Douglas College's Learning Centre (David Lam Campus) as Services Coordinator;  and at Capilano College (now Capilano University) as Learning Specialist and faculty member.  Over her career in the learning field, Donna has planned and delivered learning success programs, developed and facilitated training programs for peer educators, tutored and taught writing and learning skills, and completed research and co-published articles on course-integrated learning instruction. She was also co-coordinator of the Academic Enhancement Program in the SFU School of Computing Science. Donna helped to develop the curriculum for the Back on Track Program. She taught in the BOT program for several years and continues to be involved in the administration of the program.  Donna completed an undergraduate degree at SFU in Psychology (Honours) and a Master of Arts degree in Adult Education at the University of British Columbia.

Phone: 778.782.3294
Email: dmcthomp@sfu.ca

Laura Thomson (temporary)

Laura is the first point of contact for students at the SLC Office in the Bennett Library (Burnaby), and also provides administrative support for our workshops, consultations, marketing campaigns, academic resources, and many other activities. She has previous experiences working and studying at Simon Fraser University, including completing her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Political Science (Honours with distinction) and working at the WAC Bennett Library as a library assistant. She is also currently a graduate student in the Master of Public Policy program at SFU's School of Public Policy. You can find her at our front desk, welcoming people to the office and helping them access our services and resources. When she has some spare time, Laura enjoys good conversations with close friends, pub trivia nights, reading, watching tv and movies (particularly science fiction and documentaries), and occasionally playing bass guitar with friends.
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Phone: 778.782.4648
Email: slc_assistant@sfu.ca

Peggy Fung (On temporary leave)

Peggy is the first point of contact for students at the SLC Office in the Bennett Library (Burnaby), and also provides administrative support for our workshops, consultations, marketing campaigns, academic resources, and many other activities. She has previous experiences working and studying at Simon Fraser University, including completing her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology (with distinction) and a Certificate in Health and Fitness Studies. She warmly encourages and welcomes students to learn and utilize the numerous writing, learning, and EAL resources provided by the Student Learning Commons. During her spare time, she enjoys being immersed within nature's phenomenal beauty, having fun with friends and family, and exploring the world.

Phone: 778.782.4648
Email: peggyf@sfu.ca

Dr. Tim Mossman

Tim Mossman, Ph.D., is an applied linguist with 37 years of experience in the field of teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL). Tim has his Ph.D. in the Faculty of Education (Languages, Cultures, and Literacies) from Simon Fraser University. Before SFU, he earned both his Master of Arts degree in English Education (TESOL) and Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia. He also has his professional teaching certificate from the BC Ministry of Education. Tim currently coordinates the EAL Services in the Student Learning Commons (SLC), a position he has held since 2007. In this role, Tim contributes to and participates in SLC activities such as individual consultations with students, developing and presenting workshops and short-term courses, and mentoring graduate students and student peers, all with a focus on EAL support. Tim is a certified Neurolanguage Coach and is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Efficient Language Coaching®. Prior to this, Tim worked for 16 years as a faculty member at Canadian International College, a private post-secondary institution for Japanese students where he taught and designed content-based English language courses. Tim has also taught English in Japan, at Douglas College, at UBC, and in the FALx99 course at SFU. His professional interests include studying the identities of "old-timer" ESL students using principles of ethnomethodology (EMCA). In his free time, Tim enjoys paddle boarding in Deep Cove (when it's not raining!).

Phone: 778.782.8510
Email: tmossman@sfu.ca

Ruth Silverman

Ruth Silverman (pronouns: she/ her/ hers) has been with SFU's Student Learning Commons since 2007 and goes by many titles: Learning Services Coordinator, Back on Track Program Instructor, and co-Divisional Supervisor for the Writing and Learning Peer Educators. Originally from Ottawa and currently living and working on unceded Coast Salish Territory, Ruth holds an M.Ed. (SFU), a B.A. (Hons. Psychology, Carleton), and an LL.B. (Ottawa). She has a diverse work history, including working on Parliament Hill and for the Federal Court of Canada, and practicing as both a lawyer and a career counsellor (not at the same time). Ruth has held two leadership roles within the post-secondary Learning Specialist Community: Pacific Regional Director of the Learning Specialists Association of Canada, and Canadian Regional Leader for the College Reading and Learning Association, both 2015-2019.

Phone: 778.782.8465
Email: rsilverm@sfu.ca

Dal Sohal 

Dal is an educator, learning strategist, facilitator, and certified coach. She has worked in higher education for over 20 years in a variety of roles supporting student success and engagement. Her guiding leadership philosophy embodies caring connection, reflective thinking and listening, and deep equity. Dal immigrated to Canada as a small child with her parents. Her lived experience as a South Asian woman growing up on unceded Coast Salish Lands has helped shape her perspective and commitment to creating inclusive spaces and improving access for people from historically marginalized groups. Dal is passionate about student development, performance coaching and lifelong learning. She is the published author of "Peer Education: The impact of volunteering on students." Dal completed her BA (Criminology, Sociology) at SFU and has an MA in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University.

Phone: 778.782.8509
Email: dsohal@sfu.ca

Julia Lane (Undergraduate Writing Services)

Julia (she/her/hers) is a queer, vegan, feminist. She is also a white settler who lives, mothers, writes, and teaches on unceded Coast Salish territories. She holds a PhD in Arts Education from Simon Fraser University and her dissertation is about the application of a theatrical clowning to scholarly practices. Her master’s degree is from Trent University’s Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies program and her M.A. thesis focused on environmental education. She completed her undergraduate studies at York University in the theatre department, specializing in theatre creation and performance. As a Writing Services Coordinator, Julia's work focuses on undergraduate writing supports including writing workshops, WriteAway, and the annual SLC writing contest. She also wrote and is constantly revising the SLC's Inclusive and Antiracist Writing Guides. 

Julia cares about students’ well-being and ability to learn, and is committed to engaging in the critical work of dismantling white supremacy, colonialism, ableism, linguicism, and heteropatriarchy (which she understands as being interconnected in complex ways). Julia further recognizes that students who come to the SLC and/or interact with her elsewhere at the university have often experienced various forms of trauma, both directly related to their academic pursuits and not. She acknowledges that these experiences of trauma are the norm, and not the exception, and names those that are connected to academic pursuits as problems of the institution and not the individual student. She recognizes that faculty members and instructors are often survivors of various forms of trauma, including academic traumas, and can act as perpetrators of those traumas. 

Phone: 778.782.9705
Email: jhlane@sfu.ca

Robyn Long (Graduate Writing Services) (on temporary leave)

Robyn holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from SFU, an MS in Educational Psychology and Methodology and a BA in English and Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany. She has been working with the SLC for almost eight years and has been professionally supporting individuals with their academic writing for over a decade. Robyn’s diverse interests contribute to her enthusiastic dedication to and enjoyment of learning about students’ and colleagues’ research across disciplines and facilitating their writing processes.

Phone: 778.782.7165
Email: robynl@sfu.ca

Cynthia Wright

Cynthia (pronouns: she/ her/ hers) joined SFU in October 2005 as the Coordinator of the Student Learning Commons at the Surrey campus. As Coordinator she organizes the campus' writing and learning skills workshops and -- along with the Graduate Facilitators and Peer Educators she oversees -- provides students with individual consultations in writing, learning skills, and in English conversation. She is part of the curriculum development team of the Student Success Program and teaches in the Back on Track program at both the Surrey and Burnaby campuses. She is committed to helping students at all levels achieve academic success. Cynthia has a Masters degree in Adult Education from the University of British Columbia and is a certified professional life coach.

Phone: 778.782.7614
Email: cawright@sfu.ca

Amanda Goldrick-Jones

Amanda started her writing life as a newspaper reporter in Toronto and Vancouver before receiving her BA and MA in English Language at UBC. After teaching writing and communication at UBC and Langara College, she studied rhetoric and professional communication at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, where she received her PhD. She then served as assistant and associate professor at the University of Winnipeg's Centre for Academic Writing and helped develop the major program in Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications. When she moved back to the coast in 2006, she served for two years as the SLC's first writing services coordinator. At UBC, she taught academic, business, and technical writing courses from 2008-2013 and designed online writing courses for the Writing Centre. Amanda returned to the SLC in 2013, to continue to develop and coordinate a variety of writing opportunities including writing-peer training, in-class workshops, and support for TAs who work with undergraduate writers. She retired from the SLC in January 2020. 

Email: agoldric@sfu.ca

There are currently no EAL Graduate Facilitators. 

Our Learning/Back on Track team is comprised of paid SFU graduate students in the role of facilitators committed to helping students develop and improve their academic learning strategies, such as study techniques, academic reading, note-taking and time management. Graduate facilitators support the Back on Track program by working with students one-on-one to create individualized learning plans and meet with students in group settings to facilitate discussions about academic learning. They also facilitate workshops at the SLC and for campus partners.

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Harman S. is a Master of Public Policy student at SFU. She hopes to help students develop learning strategies by sharing the knowledge she's gained over the years. She holds a BA Distinction with Honours in Criminology and a police studies certificate from SFU. Previously she held the role of a teaching assistant at the School of Criminology. She has also held a role as a FASS Peer Mentor at SFU during her undergraduate degree. Her primary research interests are focusing on social policy issues. 

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Korrie G. is a Master’s student in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University (“SFU”). She works as a teaching assistant for a range of legal, theory, qualitative research and writing-based courses across criminology. Korrie has a BA with distinction and an Honours in Criminology from SFU as well as a Certificate in Legal Studies and a Certificate in Liberal Arts. In addition, Korrie was previously involved with the SLC for a number of years as a Learning & Writing Peer and Peer Coach before moving into the GLF position. Korrie’s primary research includes: exploring the idea of transformative learning for reconciliation, the settler space in answering the Calls to Action put forth by the National Inquiry into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, media responses to violence against Indigenous women and girls, and what decolonisation and walking in the good way might look like in criminology in areas such as research approaches and conduct, teaching and curriculum.

Graduate writing facilitators provide support for graduate students working on their theses, term papers, journal articles, grant applications, presentations for conferences or thesis defences, and other writing related to their graduate studies. Facilitators work with students one-­on-­one through in-­person consultations at all three campuses or online/remotely. They also contribute to facilitating open and integrated workshops, Thesis Writing Group, and Thesis Writing Retreat (formerly known as Thesis Boot Camp).

Micheal O. (He/Him) is a PhD candidate in Educational Technology and Learning Design, with a research focus on AI in education. He has over a decade of combined teaching and research expertise, most notably working to democratize digital skills and STEAM learning for students in deprived communities by teaching and providing the resources they require to further their learning. Micheal had a firsthand experience of the struggles and frustrations that international students faced while pursuing his MA degree in England, which led to his choice to assist students in improving their writing and alleviating their struggles and stress. He is enthusiastic and willing to share his knowledge with any student.

Nia P. (نیا پازکی) is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Psychology at Simon Fraser University (SFU) with a decade of experience in English language teaching and a dual master's background in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and Educational Psychology. Currently, she works as a research assistant on the REACH x SFU project, delving into the educational challenges faced by refugee children with disabilities during their migration journeys. Nia's focus on community-based research underscores her commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable populations, particularly refugee children with special needs. As an international student herself, Nia empathizes with the struggles of writing an academic thesis in an additional language and is eager to share her experiences to support others in their academic pursuits.

Junyi G. (she/they) is in her third year of a Philosophy Master's at SFU. She earned an MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA from Sun Yat-sen University. Right now, she's delving into Reason, Luck, and Morality and is writing a thesis on Buddhist Philosophy. Junyi has been a TA for PHIL 100W multiple times and for PHIL 120W once.  Junyi believes every student has a unique voice and story. She takes a personalized approach to teaching, recognizing each student's unique qualities and needs. She practices self-care to be her best for her students and welcomes open feedback if she ever falls short.  She's fluent in English and Mandarin, with basic skills in Cantonese.  In her downtime, she enjoys playing with her ginger tabby, Spiffi, and has a soft spot for IKEA's BLÅHAJ.

Justine A. is a second-year MA student in the English Department here at Simon Fraser University. She also received her BA with a major in English at SFU. Her primary area of interest is Asian diasporic literature with a focus on the carnivalesque and abject. Justine has been a teaching assistant for multiple English courses at SFU, worked as a tutor, and helped many students through WriteAway. Throughout her experience working with undergraduate students, Justine has come to love watching learners develop their writing skills and confidence!

Mia C.V.  is a second-year master’s student in Communication. Before her MA program, she completed her BA (Hons) in Communication at SFU alongside a double minor in Print and Digital Publishing and Business Administration. Her research interests are feminist and queer media studies. She has TA’ed different writing-intensive Communication courses and helped students navigate academic writing. Mia is fluent in English and Vietnamese and has experience learning English and English academic writing as a non-native speaker.

Mohsen H.M. is a PhD student in SFU's Faculty of Education. He came to Canada in 2012 as an international student to do his master's in Education. He has served in various educational roles, including as a teaching assistant and sessional instructor for a variety of Education courses. Additionally, he has been contributing his expertise as a Graduate Writing Facilitator at the SLC since February 2018.  In this role, he provides one-on-one writing consultations with students and conducts workshops. Currently, he's wearing another hat as a University Preparation course instructor at Alexander College. Here, he's dedicated to equipping students with essential skills like goal setting, time management, effective study methods, note-taking, reading comprehension, writing proficiency, and oral communication—everything they need to excel in their post-secondary education journey. Mohsen enjoys working with students and learning from them!

Shaila S. is a PhD candidate in the Languages, Cultures and Literacies program in the Faculty of Education. She has an M.A. in Applied Linguistics with TESOL from the University of Sheffield, UK and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has worked as a university lecturer in Bangladesh . She has also taught Foundations of Academic Literacy FAL X99 course several times and worked as a Teaching Assistant and Tutor Marker for a range of courses at SFU. At SLC, she offers writing consultations,  Write away services, and workshops on different topics of academic writing. Shaila’s first language is Bangla, and she speaks English as an additional language. She also has working proficiency in Hindi and Urdu.

Suzanna M. is a PhD candidate in the School of Criminology specializing in forensic science. She has her MSc from the University of Sheffield, UK, and her BA from UBC. Suzanna facilitates writing workshops, offers writing and learning consultations, serves as a tutor for WriteAway, and has also worked on the SLC's Back-on-Track team. Having been a post-secondary student for over a decade, she understands the difficulties and stressors associated with university life and learning, and is looking forward to working with students to overcome these challenges. When she's not working or studying, Suzanna enjoys hiking with her dog.

LC EAL peers are trained, skilled, and friendly student volunteers who are able to provide conversational English language support to students for whom English is a second or additional language.

Cayley is a third-year anthropology student. In her spare time, Cayley loves doing anything outside and caring for her plants. She enjoys sports and is especially involved in lacrosse. As an EAL peer educator, Cayley is excited to create an inclusive and comfortable environment for her peers to succeed in.​​​​​

Daniel   (bio coming soon!)

Dorothy is a 5th year student in linguistics hoping to pursue a career in Speech Therapy. She speaks Tagalog and because of her interest in languages, she has taken a mandarin course and several Japanese courses offered at SFU. In her free time she likes to make things, whether that’s through baking or sewing. As an EAL peer she hopes to provide support for those who are learning English.

Harbir is currently a fourth-year BPK Major and BISC minor. During his spare time, Harbir likes volunteering at the local food bank. His hobbies consist of reading, drawing, and long-distance running. Through his association with the EAL Peers Program, Harbir plans to create an enjoyable and amicable environment for his peers.

Jasjit is a second-year Behavioural Neuroscience major. In her free time, she enjoys reading, swimming, and playing golf. As an EAL Peer Educator, she hopes to help students build confidence in their English language skills.

Khin is a third-year Biological Science student and is fluent in English and Burmese. In her spare time, she loves to read, paint (by numbers) and experiment with cooking. Through the EAL program, she hopes to make her peers' English language journey fun and enjoyable! 

Khushi is a third-year Biomedical Physiology major and Biological Sciences minor. She is fluent in English, Punjabi, and Hindi. She is intermediate in French and is interested in learning other languages as well. Outside of school, she volunteers at a long-term care facility, as a first aid responder, and in many other positions in the community. Her hobbies include practicing Taekwondo, watching movies and shows, and playing with her pets.

Navdeep is a fourth-year Biological Sciences major. His hobbies include soccer, reading books and watching movies. He also speaks Punjabi. As an EAL Peer educator, he hopes to create a friendly, fun, and enjoyable environment for his peers.

Noah is a first-year graduate student in Sociology. He enjoys volunteering, meeting new people, board-gaming, cycling and reading. Raised in the culturally diverse backdrop of Singapore and shaped by the nation's bilingual policy, Noah keenly understands the difficulty of learning multiple languages. A long-time EAL Peer Educator, he hopes to both ease and enliven the language journey of students and peers.

Olivia is a third-year Communication student who is also pursuing a minor in Print and Digital Publishing. She is fluent in English and French and knows basic Cantonese. In her free time, Olivia loves to play the piano and guitar, binge crime shows, and spend time with friends. As an EAL Peer Educator, she hopes to help students feel comfortable and confident speaking English in classroom environments and beyond.

Thuta is a third-year undergraduate criminology student. He is fluent in English and Burmese and knows basic Mandarin. In his downtime, he loves seeking out cozy study spots, spending time with his friends, and playing basketball. As an EAL Peer Educator, he is driven by the belief in the potential for reciprocal cross-cultural learning. Through this role, he aspires to foster an inclusive and enriching environment where knowledge and experiences flow seamlessly between peers.

Zaeema is a fourth-year Kinesiology student. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering, reading, and baking. Zaeema also loves learning new languages and can speak fluent Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi. Her aim as an EAL peer educator is to create a welcoming and engaging environment to better support her peers.

Writing and Learning Peer Educators are student volunteers who help their fellow students in learning strategies -- such as study skills, note-taking, time management, and exam preparation -- and a variety of academic writing strategies. They are selected based on their transcripts, writing samples, faculty recommendations, and an interview process, and receive in-depth ongoing training on topics such as interpersonal communications, effective and ethical tutoring techniques, writing-in-the-disciplines, and language structure.

The SLC Writing and Learning Peer Program has earned an internationally recognized tutoring credential (Level 2 of the College Reading and Learning Association's International Tutor Program Certification).

If you might be interested in becoming a Writing and Learning Peer Educator, more information is available here.

Alexia is an English Major and Criminology Minor studying at SFU for over two years. She is enthusiastic about supporting other undergrad students to reach their full academic potential.

Note: Alexia is currently taking  ENG 433W, ENG 470W, and ENG 496, so she cannot provide consultations on these courses. 

Allyson (she/her) is a SFU Psychology student with a Counselling & Human Development minor. She has also taken courses in Philosophy, Criminology, Business, Biology, and Sociology. Allyson loves getting outside for a hike, eating good food and learning new things! She is excited to help her peers improve their writing and learning abilities. 

NOTE: Allyson cannot take consultations in PSYC 363, EDUC 328, PSYC 345, or PSYC 391 as she is currently taking those courses.

Cairen (they/them/theirs) is a 2nd year student, currently pursuing a major in Political Science. They have completed various courses in Political Science and has a keen interest in learning new perspectives about the world around us. They are eager to help and provide support for their fellow peers looking to improve their learning journey. Additionally, Cairen is fluent to converse in Tagalog. 

Emily ​​​​​​(she/her) is an SFU student who lives, studies, and works on the ancestral and unceded territory of the hən̓qəmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples. She is currently pursuing a major in English and is interested in a minor in Publishing. She has also taken courses in Linguistics, History, Cinema, and Criminology.

NOTE: Emily cannot take consultations for CA 149, ENGL 372, ENGL 361, or ENGL 364, as she is currently taking those classes.

Emma (she/her/hers) is pursuing a major in Criminology and a minor in Psychology. She has also taken courses in Philosophy, English, Political Science, and Biology. 

NOTE: Emma cannot take consolations for PSYC 268, PSYC 280, CRIM 104, or CRIM 230, as she is currently taking those classes.

Jeffrey (he/him) is a student in the School of Communication at SFU. He has also taken courses in the Contemporary Arts, primarily those relating to film and cinema, as well as various electives in other faculties including ARCH 131, GEOG 111, HUM 102W, and PSYC 100. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and TV shows, playing basketball, listening to hip-hop music, and losing at chess. He also works part-time for Chess.com and hopes to eventually pursue a full-time career there.

NOTE: Jeffrey cannot take consultations for   as he is currently taking those classes.

Michelle is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Communication. She has taken Education and Interactive Art courses. She is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. As a peer educator, she commits to building up a supportive and engaging environment for peers. 

NOTE: Michelle cannot take consultations for EDUC 471 as she is currently taking those classes.

Mishael (he/him/his) is a third-year Political Science and Philosophy student, residing on the unceded, ancestral land of the Coast Salish. He is a first-generation immigrant who received his secondary education in an inner-city school, so he empathizes with the structural inequities that prevent some students from realizing their full academic potential. Mishael also works in the Political Science and Philosophy Student Unions, Amnesty SFU, and SFU Senate. 

NOTE: Mishael cannot take consultations for PHIL 421S (both topics), POL 222, POL 349, and PHIL 315, as he is currently taking those courses.

Nava (she/her/hers) is a 3rd year English and Philosophy student. She has taken courses in a variety of FASS disciplines including History, Cognitive Science, Sociology, World Literature, Criminology, and GSWS. Nava also speaks fluent Farsi. She is eager to help her fellow peers improve their skills and learn new things! 

NOTE: Nava cannot take consultations for PHIL 341, PHIL 315, PHIL 421W, or LING 450, as she is currently taking those courses.

Nick (he/him) is a Criminology student. He has taken multiple Sociology, Psychology and Philosophy courses during his time in post-secondary. He is also keen on helping people learn valuable skills in writing and learning to help them succeed in their schooling.

NOTE: Nick cannot take consultations for CRIM 459, CRIM 332, or CRIM 406, as he is taking these courses this semester.

Puneet is a third-year English major with a minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies. She has also explored other disciplines, having completed courses in Archaeology, Music and Sound, Communications, and Education.

NOTE: Puneet cannot take consultations for ENGL 320, ENGL 363, ENGL 493, or GSWS 321, as she is currently taking those courses.

Sophia (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences (CMP Stream) and minoring in Biomedical Physiology. She has taken courses outside of her disciplines, particularly in Archaeology, English, Criminology and Chinese. Sophia is fluent in Vietnamese and can understand and speak some Mandarin. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, learning languages, and has recently gotten into crocheting and boxing. 

NOTE: Sophia cannot take consultations for BISC 313, BISC 405, BISC 302W, and BPK 325, as she is currently taking those courses.

Venus N. (she/her/hers) is an uninvited settler who lives and studies on the ancestral and unceded lands of the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples. Venus is a second-year student currently pursuing a BA in Psychology. 

NOTE: Venus cannot take consultations for CPMT 120, LING 160, or PSYC 280, as she is currently taking those courses.