Supporting students with strategic partnerships

At the Writers Workshop, our goal is pretty straightforward: to help students become better writers! We’re excited to introduce two new initiatives that reflect our commitment to supporting specialized student groups and ensuring everyone has the tools they need to succeed!

Division of Intercollegiate Athletics

Our new satellite at the Irwin Academic Services Center is dedicated to supporting student athletes. It provides a range of writing support services, from refining essays to crafting resumes, and has already garnered significant use from athletes looking to improve their writing skills.

Juggling rigorous training sessions, competitions, and academic coursework can be challenging for student athletes. They may need support in finding strategies to balance their academic workload with their athletic commitments, including seeking help with writing to ensure they can meet academic expectations while maintaining their athletic performance.

In the words of one student:

“Working with a writing tutor has been a game-changer for me. Before, I struggled to wrap my head around my RHET 102 assignments, especially the research ones. But having someone like Rayven to bounce ideas off has been invaluable. It’s like having a brainstorming buddy who really gets what I’m trying to say. Thanks to our session, I’ve not only improved my writing skills but also gained confidence in tackling my assignments head-on. Couldn’t have done it without her support!”

Jeremiah W.

Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center

In expanding our reach to underserved populations, the Writers Workshop reflects its longstanding commitment to providing tailored support to marginalized student groups. Through a strategic partnership with the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC), we’re doubling down on our efforts to serve Black students. Our outreach efforts aim to bridge the gap in access to writing support and resources, ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have equitable access to the tools they need to succeed academically. At BNAACC, our goals and objectives are clear: to create a supportive and inclusive space where Black students feel empowered to develop their writing skills, express their voices, and achieve their academic goals. Through collaborative workshops, one-on-one tutoring sessions, and targeted outreach programs, we’re striving to foster a community where every student’s writing journey is valued and supported.

Moving forward, fostering partnerships and expansion efforts with various stakeholders can extend the reach of these initiatives, furthering their impact on student success and advancing diversity and inclusion goals university-wide.

These new initiatives of the Writers Workshop radiate inclusivity and a commitment to academic success! These exciting efforts provide specialized support for student athletes and underserved populations, ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need to shine. Let’s continue to create a welcoming space where every student can thrive academically and as budding writers.

By Rayven Morrow, Education, Policy, Organization, and Leadership, PhD candidate