Meet Our Coaches

AKEEM

Akeem (he/him) is a native of LaPlace, LA. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA. He has a passion for inspiring individuals through his writing and believes that "everyone has a story to tell." Akeem is currently studying to receive his Master’s Degree in Communications from Southeastern Louisiana University. 

MATTHEW

Matthew (he/him) was born and raised in Metairie and is a graduate of both Delgado Community College (YAY!!!) and the University of New Orleans where he earned a B.A. in English with a concentration in journalism. He spends his spare time playing soccer, visiting museums and thrift stores, and reading.

ALEX

Alex (he/him) is a graduate of The University of New Orleans Creative Writing Workshop, where he studied fiction. His stories and essays have been published in Hobart, Expat Press, and others. Originally from the Midwest, his writing has also been included in a forthcoming anthology from the Wisconsin Historical Society. He’s passionate about the many mediums of storytelling from film and television to games and interactive fiction. When he’s not writing, Alex enjoys producing electronic music, a hobby he’s had for over a decade.

EMILY

Emily (she/her) is a writer and content editor from Alexandria, Louisiana. She moved to New Orleans in 2017 and has lived there for the past six years (one year of massive global pandemic excluded). She graduated from the University of New Orleans with an M.A. in English in 2023. On her off days, Emily can be found at one of New Orleans’ numerous indie bookstores, the music venues Gasa Gasa and Siberia, or admiring Modigliani’s Portrait of a Young Woman at the New Orleans Museum of Art.  catches her fancy.

CARLEE

Carlee (she/her) is a proud first-generation college graduate who studied poetry and revolution at NYU, then completed graduate study in 20th-century and contemporary poetry and poetics at the University at Buffalo. She has worked in colleges and high schools for over a decade, teaching classes and talking to students as they think about writing, reading, Big Serious Texts, fun popular media, and what it really means to live in the world. In addition to coaching, she is also our Center's Training and Outreach Coordinator. Her favorite part of her work is getting to think, play, and learn with Delgado students. When she's not at the CWRC, she's watching movies, scrolling Instagram, or binging documentaries about cults. 

SUMNER

Sumner (they/them) is a former Arkansawyer and a New Orleans resident since 2019. Their hobbies and interests range from tabletop gaming, to postructuralist theory, to karaoke. Their focus is to abet every student in finding the joy in writing. They are enrolled in the M.A. program at the University of New Orleans where they also work as a writing coach.

CASEY

Casey (she/they) is a writer from New Orleans. She likes to write about life in the Gulf South, ghosts, and roadkill. When not at Delgado, you can find her procrastinating on her own creative writing projects, attempting to wrangle her two cats, or finding the longest possible movie on Criterion to watch. She has a bachelor's degree in literature from Loyola New Orleans and a master’s in English rhetoric and writing from Oregon State.

DAVID

David (he/him) is from Scott, LA. After earning an MA in English in 1983, he worked at the Louisiana World Exposition in New Orleans where he was a producer and a performer at the Louisiana Folklife Pavilion. He has been performing as a member of BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet since 1977 and has received two Grammy Awards, recorded 28+ albums, and toured all of the US and at least 20 countries. Since the start of the pandemic, he and his wife have broadcast a weekly performance on Facebook. David has been an English instructor at Delgado Community College since 2017.

KAARI

Kaari (she/her) is a Louisiana native, writer, and entrepreneur who grew up between the US and Ghana, West Africa. She has academic background in Literature and African Studies, and a gift for recognizing & nurturing the talents of others. With 8 years of teaching experience, Kaari understands that creativity takes courage and is passionate about helping writers share impactful ideas with confidence. She enjoys studying culture through food, travel, music, and learning new languages.

WILL

Will (he/him) grew up in Virginia. He studied English and philosophy at the College of William and Mary, and recently earned an M.F.A. in fiction at the University of New Orleans. Along with reading and writing, Will likes to play music with his band Gold Connections, go to the movies, walk around, and drink smoothies. He occasionally hangs out with friends, too, who are also nerds.

JAMAL

Jamal (he/him) is an experienced high school English teacher who remains committed to helping all students champion their own unique story through the power of writing. He holds a B.A in English and Political Science from North Carolina Central University as well as an M.A in English from Tulane University.  As a lifelong scholar, his interests broadly focus on innovative strategies that push for creative writing. During his spare time, he enjoys cycling and running. 

MADDIE

Maddie (she/her) is a recent graduate of LSU where she received her BA and MA in Anthropology with a focus on ethnography. Her research and writing has been presented at several academic conferences including the American Association of Anthropology. She is driven by a passion for making education accessible and providing students with the tools they need to successfully communicate their experiences and ideas.

KAMISHA

Kamisha (she/her) has been working at the Westbank Delgado Learning Resource Center for 10 years. She has a Bachelors of Arts in English from Dillard University and a Masters of Science in Counseling from Capella University. She is an educator in the public-school system and enjoys working with youth getting them prepared for the next level of their academic journey. Kamisha also loves working with the students at the LRC and witnessing their enthusiasm about becoming better writers and developing a liking for English Composition and Literature.

KATHERINE

Katherine (she/her) is a lifelong New Orleanian and former Delgado student and English teacher, who now happily coaches student writers in the CWRC and encourages their academic success. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English from UNO and a Master’s in Library & Information Science from USM. In combination with her coaching role, Katherine also serves as the CWRC’s Embedded Coaching Program Coordinator. Outside of her CWRC time, she loves to read, watch The Office on repeat, and plan adventures with her family.

LAUREN C

Lauren (she/her) is from Upstate New York by way of South Carolina and moved to New Orleans in 2021. She is a graduate of the MFA program in poetry from the University of South Carolina, and her poetry and nonfiction have appeared in The Equalizer, PANK, and others. 

JUDY

Judy (she/her) is a native of Baton Rouge who was a barista in San Francisco and Brooklyn before getting her undergraduate degree in comparative religion from the City College of NY.  She earned a master's degree in political science from the American University of Paris and lived abroad for nearly 9 years teaching and tutoring English to people from all walks of life.  After returning to New Orleans in 2019, Judy worked in the vintage and antique furniture world, first managing an antique shop, and eventually starting her own vintage company.  She now runs a venue that hosts vintage and makers markets twice a month, showcasing local creatives, collectors, and artists.  In her free time she loves lounging on Gulf Coast beaches and singing to her fat cat, Louis.

LAUREN D.

Lauren (she/her) is a proud two-time graduate of The University of New Orleans with degrees in English. She grew up in a small town just outside New Orleans. Lauren hopes to continue her education in the future, but in the meantime, is ecstatic to be helping students with their academic journey. 

MISSY

Missy (she/her)has worn many hats, some with feathers: news photographer and writer, non-profit director, radio personality, and academic administrator, spending some 13 years as manager of the Music Department at UNO. By night she is The Dominatrix of the Blues, playing jazz, blues, and R & B on WWOZ-FM.  Her award-winning essays on nature, family, and music have been published in several literary journals, and she was a contributing author to “Voices Rising: The Katrina Narrative Project.”

NIGEL

Nigel (he/him) is a freelance music writer focusing on hip-hop, culture, and sports. Before graduating with a BA in English with a Journalism concentration at the University of New Orleans, he worked as the Sports editor of the college newspaper, Driftwood, before becoming the Editor-in-chief. Post-grad, he's secured bylines with Okayplayer, Offbeat Magazine, and CentralSauce with articles and interviews centered around emerging trends and unique observations. When he's not writing, Nigel is probably scanning the internet for new music, inhaling a bag of sour gummy worms, or mocking reality tv shows.

ROBERT

Robert (he/him) is a Louisiana certified English teacher with almost 5 years of experience in the Delgado Writing Center. He is also a writer and editor for Antigravity Magazine, a small New Orleans alternative-culture publication. As an educator, Robert believes that education is about guiding students toward their strengths and harnessing that in the context of their education to build their confidence.

RYAN

Ryan (he/him) is a poet and writer native to New Orleans. In 2020, he received his Bachelor of Arts in English (Creative Writing) from Loyola University New Orleans. He then joined the Creative Writing Workshop at the University of New Orleans, where, in 2023, he earned his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. His writing has appeared in Tilted House Review, Xavier Review, Last Leaves Magazine, Penumbra Literary & Art Journal, Final Girl Bulletin Board, and elsewhere. He can often be found haunting local literary events.

TAYLOR

Taylor (she/her) is originally from Birmingham, AL, and has lived in New Orleans since 2017. She recently graduated from the illustrious Xavier University of Louisiana with a B.A. in English. Taylor is currently pursuing a master’s degree in English with a concentration on African American literature at Texas Southern University. One of her favorite books is Sula by Toni Morrison. She loves to read, write poetry, and discuss all things literary with those around her.

NATALKA

Natalka (she/her) is a Ukrainian-Canadian writer, visual artist, and educator. She is a graduate of the University of New Orleans, where she earned her MFA in Fiction. She has developed and facilitated student workshops in Art Therapy, Bibliotherapy, and mold-making. Natalka's writing has been published by Goldfish Press and elsewhere, and her sculptural and installation work has been exhibited across Canada and the US. 

ANDY

Andy (he/him) is a New Yorker whose love affair with New Orleans began at first sight.  After receiving his BA in English from Loyola, he trekked back up north to complete his Master's work in education at Hunter College.  From there, he went on to work at the Cooke Center Academy in Manhattan for several years- a school dedicated to servicing neurodivergent students.  As an avid lover of hip hop and a long-time producer, he detoured into the world of scoring and video game soundtracking for a good portion of the last decade.  He also has a passion for all things blockchain, and is eager to discuss this with anyone who will listen.  In his free time, he obsesses over horror movies, vintage sneakers and his beloved New York Mets.  He sees coaching as an opportunity for people to learn from each other's experiences and is fully invested in building dynamic relationships with all of his students.

ELISE

Elise is a dynamic writer, educator, and explorer whose talent has taken her from Division 1 basketball to trekking the Andes Mountains. Her adventurous spirit reflects infectious courage and a thirst for discovery. Originating from Phoenix, AZ, Elise's diverse background includes studying at the Storytelling Institute at South Mountain Community College and earning a Masters in Creativity and Innovation from Drexel University in 2019. As a first-generation college graduate and lifelong poet, Elise's passion for storytelling is deeply ingrained in her identity.

KEVIN

Kevin (he/him) has been teaching English Language Learners (ELL) and College and Career Readiness (CCR) in the division of Adult Education at Delgado since 2018. He has taught English on the post-secondary level for more than 20 years. He has lived in New York, Miami and New Orleans. He holds a B.A. in English and American Literature from Brandeis University, and his M.F.A. is from Sarah Lawrence College.

LAURA

Laura (she/her) is a writer, archaeologist, and bartender originally from Massachusetts. She’s lived in New Orleans ten years and has spent much of that time interviewing people about local music and digging holes in the swamp. She has a BA in anthropology from McGill University and an MFA in creative writing from the University of New Orleans. You can talk to her about your paper in Spanish or French, as long as you’re talking pretty slowly.

MALIK

Malik (he/him) brings a rich background in education, writing, and coaching to support student success at the CWRC. Hailing from Marrero, Louisiana, Malik holds advanced degrees in Adult Education and Training, Marketing and Management, and e-Commerce, from the University of Phoenix and the University of New Orleans. As an Academic Instructor at New Orleans Job Corps, Malik excelled in providing comprehensive instruction, developing engaging lesson plans, and tailoring his approach to meet diverse student needs. In his ongoing role as the Managing Director of Write On E-Publishing, LLC, Malik has cultivated a deep understanding of the writing process, having launched the literary careers of over 50 authors and published more than 100 volumes. This role has equipped him with valuable skills in coaching, mentoring, and developing professional growth programs for writers. Malik is passionate about creating an inclusive and equitable learning environment, leveraging his expertise in developmental English composition to assist students in all phases of writing.

SERENA

Serena (they/them) is a chronically online 25 year-old Miamian and Spanish heritage speaker with a Bachelor's Degree in English literature and a teaching certificate from Loyola University New Orleans. They have a decade of tutoring experience, and they’ve taught in schools, multiple summer enrichment programs, and a math tutoring center. As a former special education teacher and 504 coordinator, Serena is passionate about accommodating students and making sure they have the tools they need to learn. Other passions include Dungeons and Dragons, video games, and all forms of storytelling. 

JAX

Jax (he/they) is a writer and remote coach who received their MFA in Fiction from the University of New Orleans Creative Writing Workshop. Their fiction has been published in Sonder Midwest, Okay Donkey, and en*gendered. They spent two years coaching in person at the City Park CWRC, and now tutor students at St. Louis Community College and remotely at Delgado. In their free time, they enjoy reading and writing queer magical realism and have a love for horror movies, cozy video games, and Marvel comics.