Instructors

Erika is first and foremost a lover (of words, madness, and of love itself), and secondly an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania studying Health and Societies with minors in English and Asian American Studies. She is passionate about stories, especially ones that delve into the complexities of the human condition while hiding under magic spells. She loves advocating for health equity, mentoring younger humans, and gushing over favorite books. Her hobbies include cross-stitching, day-dreaming, and mess-making.

Armie is a student at the University of Pennsylvania studying English. They are enrolled in Penn's accelerated degree program, through which they will receive their Bachelor's and Master's in 2025. Growing up all over the East Coast in a Cuban-American household, Armie realized their love for writing after arriving at Penn. When not doing mountains of reading, they are an editor for The Woodlands Magazine and The Penn Review, a runner for the Philadelphia Track Club, a musician, and a playwright. As an aspiring editor, they hope to help others realize their fullest creative potential in their writing.

Catia is a multimedia artist, writer, musician, and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Fine Arts Program. Being from South Philadelphia, her work is primarily interested in dissecting, reconstructing, and understanding her experiences having grown up in an incredibly complex urban landscape. She is passionate about self-expression, and is always looking to help those under her tutelage harness their intuitive creative impulses, get to know themselves more deeply, and more confidently share their stories and experiences with others!

Celine is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania studying Political Science and English. As an alumnus of the Kenyon Young Writers’ Workshop and Iowa Young Writers' Studio, she fondly remembers the magical summers in which she found a community in writing and discovered an affinity for poetry. Since then, she has been constantly daydreaming in search of the right words for her next poem, some of which can be found in the Euonia Review, Live Poets' Society, and the Crashtest Literary Magazine.

Madeline is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania interested in studying English and History. After teaching writing workshops at elementary schools in her hometown of Dallas, Texas, she is excited to continue her teaching journey with Cosmic Writers. Along with reading and writing, she loves playing the viola, taking long walks, and visiting coffee shops.

Sassou is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania double majoring in Philosophy and Africana Studies, and minoring in ASL and Deaf Studies. They are a poetry editor and writer for Dissent, an intersectional feminist magazine, as well as a Robeson Cooper Scholar. In their free time, they enjoy listening to music and creating special sample playlists for their friends!

Laura is a student at the University of Pennsylvania with interests in public policy, governance, and Africana Studies. She is a Haitian-American poet and creative, who uses poetry to find new ways to find love in everything and anything. She is passionate about building community and fostering creative expression. You will most likely find her at a park, but she also loves cooking, roller skating, and pretty much any outdoor activity.

Mmachi is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania studying both Neuroscience and Creative Writing. Having been a storyteller since the age of seven, she understands first-hand the impact that writing had on her development as both a dreamer and a creator, and she is passionate about sharing the craft with other young artists. Outside of drafting her novel, she spends most of her free time digging her nose in her favorite comfort book, figuring out new rice cooker recipes to try in her dorm, and watching bad Tubi movies with her friends.

Hailing from central Georgia, Monique (they/them) is a multidisciplinary writer based in New York City. Monique's main areas of creative work are poetry, nonfiction, and playwriting, particularly concerning themes of activism, place, spirituality, and relationships. They are currently pursuing their MFA in Creative Nonfiction at New York University. When they’re not writing (which is rare), you can usually find Monique baking banana bread, reading poetry, and browsing Etsy for funky earrings.

Nida is a recent graduate of New York University with a degree in Social and Cultural Analysis. Originally from Upstate New York, she’s passionate about social justice and enjoys reading South Asian literature. She also enjoys writing poetry and creative nonfiction pieces. She’s always loved working with kids and teaches at a learning center in NYC on the weekends. In her free time she loves to knit and watch the Great British Baking Show!

Dylan is a student at the University of Pennsylvania, where he looks forward to figuring out what he’s going to study. He’s the founder of an independent literary journal, Fish Barrel Review, which has its fourth issue forthcoming. His work has been recognized by Scholastic, Arcadia University, Columbia College Chicago, and Princeton. Right now, he’s probably eating an orange and thinking about his cat, Jack-o’-Lantern.

Janet is a student at the University of Pennsylvania studying behavioral economics, design, and mathematics. As an avid reader of memoir and fiction, Janet is usually found in a coffeeshop or the local library when she's home in Fayetteville. She enjoys teaching younger students and engaging their imaginations through creative narrative writing. Outside of writing, Janet stays busy sailing, swing dancing, and acting.

Dedeepya is a student at the University of Pennsylvania. She writes prose and journalism, and is a writer for the Daily Pennsylvanian and 34th Street. Her work has been published in the New York Times, Best Teen Writing of 2019, Blue Marble Review, and others. She loves working with younger students and understands the value of mentorship, which is why she’s so thrilled to work with Cosmic Writers and share her love of writing. Besides writing, she loves running, iced chai, and sunsets.

Sophia represents her hometown, Washington DC, as Youth Poet Laureate and U.S. Presidential Scholar. Her writing has been recognized by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the Library of Congress, Button Poetry, and several other organizations. Her poem “Multiple Choice,” won grand prize in the Sixteen River Press’s Youth Poetry Contest and was subsequently nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and her poem “What We Leave Behind” was a Frontier Poetry finalist for North America. She has taught workshops at Politics & Prose, the National Gallery of Art, the Marchutz School, Writopia Lab, and now for Cosmic Writers! She attends the University of Pennsylvania.

Kelly is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania studying Urban Studies and Statistics. She is a proud Texan, and draws lots of writing inspiration from her hometown and childhood. She enjoys writing and reading at coffee shops around Philly. Along with writing and reading, Kelly loves to watch cartoons, journal, and do anything arts & craftsy.

Gianna is a student at New York University and a lover of writing. Poetry is her favorite art form, but she also dabbles in fiction and non-fiction. There is nowhere else she would rather be than with her imagination on a blank page, and she hopes to be able to inspire youth to develop their own love of writing.

Karina is a literary enthusiast studying Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She has won multiple awards for her poetry and fiction, and her work has appeared in Aura Literary Arts Review, Heartburn Review and Plum magazine. She can be found in Northampton, Massachusetts with her nose in either a book or a large mug of tea.

Enne is a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania hoping to major in English and International Relations. She loves to write prose and poetry, and she writes for 34th Street and several other literary magazines. She is so excited to continue working with children and fostering a love of reading and creativity.

Kei is an undergraduate at Amherst College who loves all things reading, writing, and editing. They hold several editorial positions for creative, non-fiction, and journalistic writing, and work on literary magazines both in and out of Amherst. They absolutely adore teaching and hope to inspire in others a lifelong love for the literary arts.

From writing stories in a notebook with a hand-drawn cover to majoring in English and Creative Writing at New York University, writing has always been near the center of Max's life. Currently a senior on the cusp of graduation, Max is thrilled to join Cosmic Writers as an instructor, and hopes to teach young writers how to reach the next level of their craft, and to show those who might not like writing just how incredible it can be.

Shaan is originally from the suburbs outside of Boston, and is currently attending school at New York University as part of the Class of 2025. He’s majoring in political and environmental science and minoring in creative writing. He enjoys reading and writing, playing soccer, and cooking. When he isn't watching a movie he's seen a million times already, you can probably find him channeling his inner grandfather by doing crosswords in a shady portion of Washington Square Park.

Delaney is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, where she studies English and Classics. She is passionate about community-informed journalism, having spent last summer working on inclusive language initiatives with an incredible nonprofit, Resolve Philadelphia. She has written articles for Teen Vogue and The Daily Pennsylvanian, where she also served as the Assignments Editor for a year, training 46 wonderful new reporters and editing their stories. She loves Trader Joe’s, drinks of the week at Williams Cafe on Penn’s campus, analyzing Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers lyrics, and seasonal baking.

Isaac is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, where he is pursuing a major in Communication and minors in Religious Studies and Cinema and Media Studies. He is a proud New Yorker and an eternally overbooked theater kid. He’s passionate about public transportation, regional dialects, and the history of the X-Men. When he’s not writing, you can find him up on the catwalk refocusing lights. Or doing his homework. Or anything else that one can do while up on the catwalk. It’s fun to sit up there.

Christina is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania studying history and English. A native New Yorker, she enjoys helping young writers achieve their dreams wherever she can. Her work has appeared in Mochi Magazine, Moonflake Press, The F-Word Magazine, and Dear GlobalGirls Magazine. She has been recognized nationally by both YoungArts and the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. When she isn’t writing, you can find her listening to music, doodling, or watching a horror movie with the lights off.

Cassie is an undergraduate at NYU majoring in Teaching Social Studies and minoring in Global and Urban Education. Her studies focus on multidisciplinary curriculum development and education reform. She is originally from Westchester, NY, and has loved writing, especially poetry, and reading from a young age. She is excited to continue teaching and fostering students' excitement and creativity in learning.

Julia is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, where she intends on majoring in English with a Creative Writing concentration. While currently most interested in writing for stage and screen, she also has an affinity for poetry. She has always loved helping others find their passion for anything English/creative writing related; after leading her high school's journalism class senior year and founding/presiding over its chapter of the National English Honor Society, she is so excited to be back in the classroom teaching others. When not writing, Julia can be found acting, listening to music, or reading on the beach.

Keemia is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, studying English and Fine Arts. She's an aspiring filmmaker from San Francisco, and is perpetually finding inspiration for projects she doesn't have time to begin. She loves to write, cook, make collages, thrift for unnecessary clothing, and read. At any given moment, you can likely find her filling up at ICEE at Wawa and dancing to music no one else can hear.

Charles is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania studying History, Neuroscience, and Chemistry. He was born in California but lived in Shanghai for most of his life. He loves prose, poetry, and everything in between. You can usually find him watching squirrels on Locust Walk or getting halal food near the Quad.

Ben is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in English and minoring in Chemistry. Ben has been an avid writer since he was eight, keeping a journal and writing short fiction. He is passionate about helping kids craft their unique writing tempo and style. When not teaching for Cosmic Writers or coaching for Cosmic Coaching, Ben can be found staffing Penn's student-run crisis line, planning holiday events at Hillel, swimming, or reading works by Yanagihara.

Ella is an undergraduate intending to study English at the University of Pennsylvania. She loves writing of all kinds, and she writes for The Daily Pennsylvanian, 34th Street, and the Penn Undergrad Law Journal. In her free time, she can be found singing and performing onstage.

Lauren is an up-and-coming educator in her final semester of NYU's Mathematics Teacher Education program. Outside of the math classrooms, her passions include poetry, music, and card games. Her favorite mythological creature is a pegasus.

Jaden Urso is a senior at New York University studying Drama, English, and Creative Writing. She is an aspiring playwright and loves fostering future generations of writers through teaching!

Zamiri is an undergraduate at New York University, majoring in Social Psychology and double minoring in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies and Creative Writing. She believes that language can be used as a powerful tool for healing, and is a strong advocate for the benefits of child literacy. She also enjoys writing creative nonfiction, prose poetry, and stream-of-consciousness prose. During her free time, you can find her reading science fiction and magical realism, crocheting, traveling, and writing songs.

Allyson is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Originally hailing from Hong Kong, she writes prose to vicariously experience the lives of others, and poetry to romanticize her own. Beyond writing, she is a passionate genre fiction advocate, budding fortune teller, and a cappella singer.

Emilia is an undergraduate from Emerson College studying Creative Writing and Psychology. She’s a novel writer that has a special place in her heart for fiction. As her own writing career started at a young age, she uses creative writing to tutor English in hopes to foster love for the creative. When she isn’t at a coffee shop busy writing away at her novels, she can be found on the quidditch field with a bludger in hand.