Springfield College Writing Hub Assists Students with Writing Skills and Strategies
The Springfield College Writing Hub is an academic support system on the campus that supports students with writing skills and strategies.
The Springfield College Writing Hub is an academic support system on the campus that supports students with writing skills and strategies. The Writing Hub tutors use best practices in writing center pedagogy, which means that instructors prioritize process over product. Emphasis is placed on providing writers with skills and strategies that can address components of a current writing situation and be transferred to future projects.
“The first time I tried the Writing Hub, I really enjoyed it because the tutor helped me take my paper to another level,” said Springfield College English Secondary Education major Jennifer Charlera. “The Writing Hub also motivated me because what I saw as a weakness in my writing, the support staff told me it was something that can be strengthened. What keeps me coming back to the Writing Hub are the grades that I now receive because of the help of the staff at the Writing Hub.”
Students have the option to meet with tutors one-on-one (via Zoom), or they can submit a draft for feedback. Either way, instructors help identify areas within writing projects that can use some assistance. The Writing Hub staff doesn’t make the edits for students, but instead, they provide a game plan for bringing a student’s writing project to the next level.
"While working with my academic advisor, Arlinda Quinones, I expressed how nervous I was about starting my Bachelors in Business Management solely online,” said Ashley Waller. “It has been 10 years since I graduated from college with my degree in Architectural Engineering. I automatically scheduled a meeting with my advisor, and she directed me to the Writing Hub. I met Joel Simundich, who was extremely helpful and supportive, and I gained a lot of confidence in my writing as I continued working with Joel. All the hard work has paid off as I continue to receive A’s on my assignments. Working with Joel helped me think through assignments out loud in an environment that is safe and is a judgment-free zone.”
Every session begins with consultation and negotiation. The student presents their questions and concerns, and the instructor helps them to set realistic expectations for what can be accomplished during the appointment. Once the instructor has read the submission, they will work with the student to create an agenda that balances each of their priorities. The session then moves between providing students with direct instruction and opportunities to revise their work based on the instruction they’ve received.
“Every time I hand in a paper that the Writing Hub assisted me with, I am not worried about the grade I will receive, and I am now actually more confident in my writing samples. Students should take advantage of this service because it's free, and you get incredible live feedback from tutors,” added Charlera.
Students may choose to work with an instructor only once to navigate a particularly challenging assignment, or they may attend multiple sessions in order to work on more involved projects. The writing tutor can be brought in at any stage of the process. Instructors are trained to provide feedback about writing across the curriculum, and have the capacity to learn about new-to-them style and disciplinary conventions as students’ needs dictate.
“I am genuinely grateful to the Writing Hub and encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity for a supportive and empathetic environment,” concluded Waller.
More information about the Writing Hub can be found at springfield.edu/writinghub and on Instagram at @scwritinghub. The Instagram platform will feature resources on mechanics such as “Mechanics Monday" and the writing process with "Writing Tips Tuesday."
Springfield College is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 4,100 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its regional campuses across the country. Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy – educating in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.
