Four tutors from the Stetson University Writing Center recently presented research at the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing, held in Tampa. 

At the November conference, seniors Kristen Erichsen and Loren Cooper and sophomore Cameron Black spoke about the concept of productive diversity as it relates to writing centers in their presentation, “Negotiating Cultural Conflicts: Developing Concrete Strategies for Improving Cross-Cultural Interaction Between Writers and Tutors.” (Pictured left to right clockwise: Bianca Hernandez, Loren Cooper, Kristen Erichsen, Cameron Black)

Junior Bianca Hernandez, lead tutor at Stetson’s Writing Center, along with Writing Center director Maggie Herb, presented on new directions for tutor training and campus outreach, sharing the results of their efforts underway, in their presentation, “Negotiating Roles and Managing Expectations: Bridging the Gap Between Tutor and Writer.” In addition, Cooper also presented the results of his S.U.R.E. study, in a presentation titled “Undergraduate Tutors Take the Lead,” which examined multilingual students’ perceptions of their writing center experiences.

The National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing (NCPTW)—the only national conference to focus specifically on Writing Center work—draws presenters and attendees from writing centers at colleges and universities across the country. Although NCPTW has been held annually for nearly 30 years, this marks the first time that Stetson’s Writing Center tutors have attended or presented.

“Having the innovative and important work that our writing center tutors do showcased at the national level is truly an honor for our Writing Center—and for Stetson itself,” said Herb.

In addition to the opportunity to present at a national conference, the conference also served as an important professional development experience for tutors. “It’s very beneficial to see how other writing centers operate because it gives us great insight into how we can expand and improve our own,” said Hernandez.

The Stetson University Writing Center, recently relocated to the duPont-Ball Library, is staffed by trained peer tutors who assist students from across campus with any type of writing, at any stage of the writing process. Current hours are Monday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m., Friday, noon-3 p.m., and Sunday, 3-6 p.m. To make an appointment to work with a tutor, students can visit the Writing Center’s website.