Moore College of Art & Design - Writer's Studio Staff Bio's

Holly Bittner

Director of Writing

While I have never considered myself a "hat person," I wear many of them in my professional life, at least in a metaphorical sense. As the Director of Writing at Moore, I oversee all aspects of both The Writer's Studio and the First-Year Writing Program. As a full-time faculty member in the Liberal Arts Department, I teach creative writing, first-year writing, and literature courses. As an academic scholar, I research and explore connections between critical and creative writing. And as a writer, I craft long, messy, cross-genre poems. My favorite poets are Wallace Stevens, Frank O'Hara, and Alice Notley. But my strongest influences are the teachers I had in the creative writing program at Temple University, where I received my Masters degree in 2001−particularly the poets Rachel Blau DuPlessis and Jena Osman, who mentored me in the difficult yet invaluable process of becoming a good reader of my own writing. Now, a decade later, I am honored and excited to facilitate the same kind of guidance in writing for students at Moore through the various offerings of The Writer's Studio, and I invite all students, faculty, and staff to collaborate with me in this effort.

Sarah Vanacore

Writing Coordinator

Hello! As the Writing Coordinator here at Moore, I work with Holly in directing The Writer’s Studio, and I assist students in writing, time management, and study skills. I also work with students with learning differences. My favorite literary era is Modernism, though I enjoy the Victorians and Post-Colonialists as well. My favorite books are Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and Isabel Allende’s House of the Spirits. As a New Englander who has been living in West Philly for the past several years, I love spring in Philly but miss New England autumns. In my spare time, I read, write, play baseball, and swim. I have a BA in English from Eastern University in Wayne, PA and an MA in English from the University of Pennsylvania. I fell into writing center work when I was a Writing Assistant at Eastern, and I’m very excited to be part of Moore’s Writer’s Studio.

The Writing Assistants

Tal Bavli
Hey everyone :)
I'm Tal and I'm an international student coming to you all the way from sunny, wonderful, Israel. I'm an Illustration major, and I'm hoping to become awesome enough to work in the animation industry when I graduate (look out Pixar!). Writing for me is a way to start a discussion, something that should entice the readers to think critically. So my favorite kind of readings are the ones I disagree with, especially those that make me really mad. I'm happy to join the Writer's Studio team, and excited to help my buddies as I improve my own writing too. :) Bring cookies!.. just kidding.. No, but really- cookies.

Kelly Colligan

Hello! I’m Kelly and I am a 3D Fine Art Senior. I am also a fellow member of Emerging Leaders in the Arts (ELA). I enjoy starlit walks on the beach, a good cup of coffee, and quirky sentences that lighten the mood. Last year I was a Student Orientation Staff Member, but this year I have decided to switch it up and help Moore students become better writers. I am your lifeline! Writing may seem daunting, but it is no different from creating art; it develops in stages and it is always helpful to have access to another pair of eyes. I personally enjoy creative writing, especially peculiar stories. Although I have a passion for writing, my first love is obviously sculpting. My secret dream job would be to help build sets, props, and/or puppets for stop-motion animation films. In the meantime, you can find me in my studio or the basement, usually sporting clay dust and paint that is inconspicuously on my face.

Rachel Costa
Hey there! I’m Rachel and I’m an Interior Design sophomore. I became involved in Interior Design thanks to my father, an independent contractor, who inspired me to combine my love for art with construction thus pointing me in the direction of my major. Someday, I hope to begin my own residential design firm and maybe dabble here and there in set and commercial design as well. As far as writing is concerned, I am an avid fan of reading and creative writing. My favorite author is James Patterson and I especially enjoy the series This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer. I believe that like art, writing allows the imagination to evolve to the fullest extent and lets ideas spark. The hardest obstacle of writing however is coming up with all these wonderful thoughts. Still, I think that every day there is always a little inspiration around us, whether it is a bestselling novel or through the streets of Philadelphia. Whatever the situation, imagination always pulls through in the end whether it applies to writing or other purposes.

Samantha Hurst

Hi there! My name is Sam and I'm currently a senior majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Illustration. I think what I love most about design is solving and creating new visual identities, especially if it relates to children. Someday I'd love to design for a child and parent audience, whether it be in publishing, entertainment, or packaging. Eventually, I would also like to start my own freelance graphic design business and maybe even write a book. Writing for me was always a wonderful experience because it gave me a chance to define and explore my thoughts and feelings. However, I may have never found my love of writing if it weren't for reading. I particularly enjoy reading fantasy, adventure, classic children's literature, and historical fiction. When I'm not reading or doing schoolwork I enjoy watching classic Disney animation (who doesn't?), nature walks, biking, camping, traveling, and spending time back home in Delaware with my family and my two fat cats, Damingo and Kiba.

Lydia Knopp
Howdy! My name is Lydia Knopp and I’m a Midwesterner from Kansas City, Kansas. This year, I am a sophomore planning to double major in Graphic Design and Curatorial Studies. Because of Moore’s small, but wonderful student body, there have been many opportunities for me to get involved. This is the second year I’ve been apart of Moore’s Emerging Leaders in the Art’s Program and my first year at the Writer’s Studio, on the Student Judiciary Committee, a member of Student Government, and also a Student Ambassador. Being new to all of this, I’m happy and excited to be involved in such a helpful resource like the Writer’s Studio! Writing has always been a strength of mine, however, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish any of this if it weren’t for all the talented and patient people who have helped my own writing improve. Now I get to use my knowledge to help guide fellow students to reach their full potential as skilled writers themselves! Personally, an author I enjoy is Charles Bukowski, for being a dirty (but honest) old man. (: Very excited to be working with the Moore student body and looking forward to seeing you this year!

Michelle Reese

I am a senior in the Interior Design program. This year I have made it my goal to become more involved in school activities. So far, I have taken this Writing Assistant position in The Writer’s Studio, I became a member of the Interior Design Group and was elected Co-Leader for the 2011-2012 school year, and I am currently the Departmental Representative for the Interior Design department. I am always happy to help and to answer any questions you may have. I know that writing can be difficult at times because I have sat for hours staring at a blank screen wondering how to begin my paper and what topic to pick. Everyone struggles with writing at some point, and I am excited to use my knowledge and talent to help in any way that I can. Through my experiences at Moore, I have learned about organization and problem solving in my classes. These skills that I have gained help a great deal when writing a successful paper, but they have also given me the ability to simply become a better writer.

Christine Tilton

I’m a junior majoring in Curatorial Studies with a minor in Photography & Digital Arts. As a student ambassador in the admissions office, I love to walk people through our school. I'm also part of Emerging Leaders in the Arts (ELA), and I have become part of the community working with the Rosenbach Museum. I hope to work in a large museum someday. Writing is an integral part of expression, and I know that it will be an essential part of my career in articulating my creative ideas. I look at writing as a formula and process of small steps. Once broken down, writing starts to become easier to tackle. Writing can feel like an endless unbearable task, but it can be fun once you find your footing within a paper or creative piece. Whether it is just getting your ideas down or discussing a final piece, we can help you out here in The Writer's Studio!

Jessica Rachel Truitt
I am a junior majoring in Fashion Design and also pursuing a minor in Curatorial Studies. I’ve always enjoyed writing and am excited to be one of the new members of The Writer’s Studio. I had originally aspired to be a writer, until a passion for costumes and theater altered my career goals. Being a Writing Assistant gives me the opportunity to embrace my appreciation of well composed ideas and appropriate syntax. My hobbies include playing chess and reading. My favorite author is Neil Gaiman, and I delight in everything he writes, including his fantasy/ fairy tales, children’s literature, graphic novels, and short story collections.