People

Trish Serviss photo

Trish Serviss, Ph.D.

  • Director for Entry Level Writing
Trish Serviss discovered her passion for writing education as an undergraduate writing tutor herself, an experience that propelled her entire career trajectory as first a high school English teacher and then university writing teacher and researcher. She found her way home to California and UC Davis’ University Writing Program. She participates in several collaborative research projects that study how college writing instruction and programming can better include all students, particularly first-generation college students interested in STEM majors. Trish’s goal for entry level writing programming at UCD is leveraging the ELWR as support for every student, instilling confidence and flexibility in Aggie writers. She also loves her giant, gentle dog, Goose, who is often mistaken for a small horse while walking the arboretum trail.
358 Voorhies Hall
Jennifer Burke Reifman

Jennifer Burke Reifman, M.A.

  • Graduate Assistant to the Director of Entry Level Writing
Jennifer is a 4th year PhD Candidate in the School of Education with a designated emphasis in Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition Studies. Jennifer has a passion for supporting writers as they enter college and has put this passion to work as a teacher and tutor of writing for the last 10 years. As a proud first generation student, her research focuses on student identity and agency in placement contexts. Outside of school, Jennifer loves spending time with her toddler as he learns dinosaur names, playing video games and watching the latest horror movies with her partner, and traveling, when the world allows.
Dan Melzer photo

Dan Melzer, Ph.D.

  • Associate Director for First-Year Composition
Dan Melzer is the Director of First-Year Composition in the University Writing Program at the University of California, Davis. He teaches undergraduate composition courses and graduate courses in the theory and practice of teaching composition. He was formerly the University Reading and Writing Coordinator at California State University, Sacramento, where he directed the Writing Across the Curriculum Program and the University Reading and Writing Center for tutoring in reading and writing. His research ​interests include writing across the curriculum, writing program administration, and response and assessment.
377 Voorhies Hall
Mandy Proctor

Mandy Proctor, M.A.

  • Assistant Director for Entry Level Writing
Mandy Proctor is a lecturer in the University Writing Program at UC Davis. She found her passion for writing instruction when she served as a tutor in the Sociology department as an undergraduate student. The first half of her teaching career was spent across the causeway where she taught undergraduate and graduate writing courses at Sac State and worked in the University Reading and Writing Center training tutors. Now at UC Davis, Mandy continues to support student writers. As a member of the ELW team, she has the opportunity to design and implement placement tools and curriculum that best serve entry-level Aggie writers. When she isn't on campus, Mandy can be found catching up on '90s teen dramas or hiking and backpacking the trails of California.
376 Voorhies Hall

Professional Staff