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Writing Center Conference Promotes Tutor Training and Brainstorming


MC English professor Steven Price, director of the MC Writing Center and University of Oklahoma educator Michele Eodice were among the participants at a statewide writing centers conference on the Clinton campus.

Student tutors exchanged ideas with administrators and discussed strategies to improve lessons for English language learners at a statewide writing center conference at Mississippi College.

Concluding March 2, the two-day conference on the Clinton campus attracted about 50 participants from 11 Mississippi institutions. Representatives from Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College and Alcorn State University were among those on hand.

One of the keynote presenters was MC English Department instructor Daniel White, the new secretary of the Southeastern Writing Centers Association. Others included  University of Oklahoma professor Michele Eodice, editor of “The Writing Center Journal.”

“In addition to sharing resources and elevating writing center work through professional development, another goal of the conference was long-term planning for the Mississippi Writing Centers Association,” said English professor Steven Price.

Price serves as director of the Christian university’s Writing Center that puts student tutors in touch with hundreds of undergraduates needing assistance to enhance their writing skills. The center is based at the Leland Speed Library.

MC students, faculty and staff will play a major role to revitalize the group in the years ahead. The Mississippi Writing Centers Association dates back to 2001.

“We’re proud that MC is playing an integral role in the sustainability of the organization,” Price said.

The event was partly funded through a Southeast Writing Centers Association state grant. Founded in 1981, the regional group represents nine Southern states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Island with a goal to advance literacy.

At the conference, Mississippi College student tutors, including Kala Fullner of Memphis, Christine Okeke of Jackson, and Alex Hendry of Ellisville, discussed strategies to begin a writing center. Two other MC student tutors, Kim Dingess and Kelsey Kitch, talked about promoting writing centers through the use of social media. Assistant director Lingshan Song tackled writing tutoring with English language learners.

For more information, contact Steven Price at 601.925.3333 or sprice@mc.edu.