Dal Sohal, Acting Head (until end of June 2025)

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: 778.782.3294
Email: dsohal@sfu.ca

Donna McGee Thompson (on study leave until end of June 2025)

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

Peggy Fung

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 (Acting Head until end of June 2025)

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 and Graduate 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

Nia Pazoki (نیا پازکی)  (Undergraduate and Graduate Writing Services) (temporary)

Nia is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Psychology at Simon Fraser University (SFU), specializing in English language teaching. With dual master's degrees in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and Educational Psychology, she brings a decade of English language teaching experience and a strong background in educational psychology.

Nia previously served as a research assistant on the REACH x SFU project, focusing on the educational challenges faced by refugee children with disabilities during their migration journeys. Her research was guided by a commitment to community-based approaches, aiming to improve the lives of vulnerable populations.

As an instructor at SFU, Nia collaborated with communities to provide tutoring support while training SFU students in teaching reading to students with learning disabilities in EDUC 424: Learning Disabilities: Laboratory. Her passion for community service also led her to work at the Belzberg Library, where she served both students and the Downtown Eastside community (DTES), integrating library resources and services into her curriculum to enrich her learning experiences.

In her roles as a project manager and program coordinator at SFU x MOSAIC x New Westminster Schools x SFU Surrey, Nia managed international projects and coordinated the SFU Refugee Summer Reading Program. These experiences allowed her to apply her research skills in real-world settings and make a tangible impact on the community. Nia's commitment to education and community engagement is evident in her diverse experiences and deep dedication to making a difference.

Phone: 778.782.9382
Email: npazokim@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 (she/her) has been a dedicated member of the Simon Fraser University community since October 2005, joining as the Coordinator of the Student Learning Commons (SLC) at the Surrey campus. In this role, she oversees writing and learning skills workshops and provides students with individual consultations in writing and learning strategies. Working alongside her colleagues at the Burnaby SLC, as well as Graduate Facilitators and Peer Educators, Cynthia is passionate about fostering student growth and success at the undergraduate level.

Cynthia is an active member of the Student Success - Back on Track (BOT) program, contributing to both curriculum development and teaching at the Surrey and Burnaby campuses. With a Master’s degree in Adult Education from the University of British Columbia and certification as a professional life coach, Cynthia brings a wealth of expertise to her work. She is deeply committed to creating spaces of belonging and learning for all students, ensuring they have the tools and support needed to succeed academically and personally.

Cynthia acknowledges that she lives and works on the unceded and traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples. She recognizes the deep history, culture, and traditions of these Indigenous communities and is committed to learning from and supporting them in meaningful ways. As someone with European ancestry—Welsh, Scottish, and German—she reflects on the privilege she holds and the responsibility she has to engage in reconciliation and contribute to decolonization efforts both personally and professionally.

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. 

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.

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!

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.

D. W. Kamish is a PhD candidate in the School of Communication. Working in critical theory and the history and philosophy of technology, their current research concerns "technological determinism" within and across Western and Soviet Marxisms. They enjoy teaching reading, writing, and other fundamental research skills. Their first language is English; their Spanish is conversational but rusty; their French is elementary; and they are learning Russian.

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.

SLC 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.

Alyssa S. is a second-year molecular biology and biochemistry student. She is fluent in Tagalog and enjoys learning about different cultures and languages, as being a polyglot is on her bucket list. She also loves volunteering as a tutor for kids and as a recreation assistant at a retirement home. As an EAL peer educator, Alyssa aims to help her fellow students build confidence in speaking English and to be the type of person she wished she had when she immigrated to Canada as a young teenager.

Cayley G. is a third-year health science 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.​​​​​

Constance D. is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Visual Art in the School for the Contemporary Arts in the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology. She is an aspiring artist, artist activist, and arts educator. She is thrilled to be leading dance classes as a modality through which to develop listening comprehension and oral expression in English.

Da Hye H. is a second-year student currently pursuing studies in the French Cohort Program. By being an EAL peer tutor at SFU, they hope to encounter new people around the community. When time or opportunity permits, Da Hye enjoys practicing or learning languages, like Japanese and Spanish, mainly doing so with the help of Duolingo.

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

Jennifer Z. is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Criminology. She can fluently speak Mandarin and English. She loves to paddle board in the summer and spend time with family and friends. As an EAL Peer Educator, she hopes to support and encourage students in building their English skills.  

Lisa K. is a third-year student pursing a double major in criminology and political science, with an additional minor in international studies. In regards to personal interests, she enjoys rock climbing, and hiking in the summer. Her focus as an EAL peer educator is to provide a positive space for students actively seeking help.

Martin T. is a third-year Business Major with a concentration in International Business. He speaks English fluently, and speaks Japanese at a conversational level (approximately N4). Outside of school, he is employed at an online Eikaiwa. He also loves to watch sports and play the piano in his free time. As an EAL Peer Educator, he aims to make the learning process as enjoyable and dynamic as possible!

Siena W. is a fourth-year molecular biology and biochemistry student. She currently volunteers as a crisis line responder and has previously served as a science and math peer educator. In her spare time, she enjoys watching Canucks games and being active outdoors. As an EAL peer educator, she hopes to create a welcoming environment where peers can practice their English-speaking skills and build confidence.

Zaeema K. is a fifth-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.

Ryann A. (she/her/hers) is an indigenous SFU student pursing a major in psychology and an extended minor in criminology. In addition to her primary studies, she has also taken courses in geography, philosophy, and archeology. Bilingual in English and French, Ryann is equipped to help students in either language as needed.