MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University provides strong support of a foundational academic skill through its Margaret H. Ordoubadian University Writing Center, which provides free writing support for students, faculty and staff during the summer.

The University Writing Center, or UWC, is available during the fall, spring and summer semesters at its James E. Walker Library location as well as digitally and supports MTSU students taking classes or working on larger writing projects, such as theses, dissertations, or creative projects.

Writing tutors are trained graduate and doctorate students interested in writing across multiple contexts and genres, and are available to assist students who want to improve their written communication skills, boost their grades or compose documents for internship and fellowship applications.

“The UWC has shown me how important such experience is for teachers and how vital the writing center is for our students,” said Ashley Quinn, writing tutor and doctoral candidate in the English Department. “It is a truly collaborative and interdisciplinary space.”

Averaging 350 one-on-one tutoring sessions each summer, the UWC offers three ways to meet with a tutor: 

• In Person: Visit the center in Room 362 in Walker Library to meet with a writing tutor to work on writing.
• Live Chat: See and hear a tutor as you work online on a shared document.
• Document Drop: Upload a draft and assignment sheet, identify specific feedback needs, and receive tutor feedback via email.

Celebrating its 45^th anniversary this past fall, the University Writing Center also offers a writing partnership program for graduate and doctorate-level students undertaking large writing projects. Writing partnership participants meet weekly at the same day and time throughout the semester, and work with the same consultant each week to meet long-term writing goals.

“We all know how hard it is to maintain focus and stay on a writing schedule during the summer and we are here to help,” said Erica Cirillo-McCarthy, director of the University Writing Center. “Writing partnerships are also great for multilingual writers interested in working on their English-writing skills.”

“Through the writing partnership program, which paired me with an advanced English Literature graduate student who read and critiqued my writing once a week during the academic year, I was able to grow not just as a writer but as a teacher, for I can pass along what I learned about the craft of writing to my students,” said Ida Fadzillah Leggett, professor in sociology and anthropology.

“I have spoken enthusiastically about the UWC faculty resources to my colleagues and have encouraged them to try out their services. I have done this because I have learned so much, how to work on my writing at least a little bit every day and to not think about writing as stressful, but as joyful,” she said.

During the summer, tutors also attend CUSTOMS events to introduce new MTSU students to various resources and services offered through the writing center.

The UWC has assisted writers of various experiences, backgrounds, and skill levels in developing responsible, informed writing practices.

The center is open Monday-Friday in-person and online, during the summer. For more information or to schedule an appointment visit https://writing-center.mtsu.edu or call (615) 904-8237.

— Johari Hamilton (Johari.HamiltonGA@mtsu.edu)