Contact: Maridith Geuder
Because she is serious about good writing, Alicia Aiken of Ocean Springs desires to provide the critical tools for others to strengthen their abilities.
The Mississippi State student is teaching a basic English course while she completes coursework for a master's degree. She's also among five graduate students now concluding a semester of intensive training before beginning work in January as a mentor at the university's new writing center.
"We're exploring theories and practices for effective one-on-one approaches to writing," Aiken said. As a result, she added, "I'm becoming a better teacher."
The center is located in Lee Hall, home of the English department, among others. Efforts to create the center were initiated by new department head Rich Raymond, who came from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock prior to the fall semester.
In addition to being an award-winning UALR teacher, Raymond was director of the Little Rock Writing Project, among other duties. He is a doctoral graduate of Miami University who also holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Wyoming.
"I saw the need for a modern writing center at Mississippi State that would be open to anyone on campus," Raymond said, explaining that the facility will replace a dated computer laboratory that allowed students to work on rough drafts but provided little one-on-one instruction.
To meet the needs of a new center, Raymond submitted a proposal on behalf of his English department faculty colleagues for upgraded equipment and furnishings. MSU Provost Peter Rabideau responded with approximately $21,000.
The center will include 10 new computers with the latest word processing software, round tables for individual consultation and more comfortable seating.
"Students will be able to work on reliable machines with up-to-date software as they craft their writing assignments," Raymond explained. "They'll also have an inviting environment for face-to-face discussions with tutors about drafting and revising their work."
With the center in place, Raymond said the department's next goals are to hire a full-time director, train more graduate tutors like Aiken and continue expanding the hours of operation.
"Our vision is that the writing center director, in addition to teaching writing classes, also will offer workshops for MSU faculty who want to learn more about using writing to teach courses across the university curriculum," he said.
Other graduate students preparing for their new writing center duties include Edmond Dechert of Laurel, Rachel Hill of Starkville, Emily Lohmer of Columbus, and Emily Stinson of Philadelphia. Aiken said all share a common goal of providing the assistance that enables students to become more successful, independent writers.
"The center won't be a fix-it shop," she said. "Rather, it will encourage exploration and learning."
For more information about the MSU Writing Center, telephone the English department at (662) 325-3644.