The Who of the Writing Center

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Melody Pickle, Ph.D.  Writing Specialist, WAC, Kaplan University

I have been thinking this week about the work we do in the Kaplan University Writing Center.  I suppose in many ways it is not that different from what happens at a lot of other writing centers across the country and world.  We  meet one-on-one with students to assist them with their writing questions.  We create resources. We give workshops.  We are part of the Writing Across the Curriculum program at Kaplan University.

And, I can say,  like most writing centers do . . . it is the people in our writing center that make us great . . .  that make us who we are.  We have great people!

One person who has been in the Kaplan University Writing Center since the early days is Joni Boone.  Her presence and her work have shaped who this writing has become (Yes, the writing center in a living thing. We can talk about that in another post.)  Her presence and her work will continue to shape us after she has moved to another department.  Joni has developed our Fundamentals Program, and she is the brain and persistence behind the development, growth, research, and success of our continuing Video Review service.  I cannot begin to list all the ways Joni, her person and her work, have influenced the Kaplan University Writing Center.

I would like to thank Joni for inspiring the Kaplan University Writing Center to always be the best it can be.  We will carry that on.

Thanks, Joni!

Writing Centers are places full of people.  Even in our completely virtual writing center, this is the case.  The students,  the tutors, and the interaction between us all make this a living –  breathing – virtual place.  It is a place (not just a space).  The people in this space make it a dynamic place for powerful student interactions and learning.

I would love to hear about the work of other learning centers and their people. What makes your place who it is?