 The newly expanded Writing Center in the Walker Arts and Humanities Building works with students, faculty and staff to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences. And, it now better fulfills its mission statement–“We work with students, faculty, and staff to address the challenges of learning and communicating in complex and culturally diverse environments.”
Kimberly-Clark, a corporate partner of Michigan Tech, donated $89,000 to renovate and expand the Writing Center, which was dedicated Oct. 1. The dedication ceremonywas held in the McArdle Theatre in the Walker Arts and Humanities Center, followed by a reception. Guided tours of the expanded Writing Center were offered.
 “Kimberly-Clark’s gift enables us to do more and better what we were trying to do under very tight and difficult circumstances,” says Nancy Grimm, director of the Writing Center. Michigan Tech has had a Writing Center since the 1970s, but with Kimberly-Clark’s support, space has more than doubled, and the center now has the inviting atmosphere of a coffee house.
An enormous window now opens the facility to passersby in the corridor. “We wanted to make the Writing Center extremely visible,” Grimm explained.
In the Writing Center, two professional staff members educate and work with 30 undergraduate coaches from 19 different majors from across campus and graduate students from Michigan Tech’s Rhetoric and Technical Communications program.
The staff is diverse, bringing multiple perspectives to the Writing Center. They provide individual and group coaching, both by appointment and on a walk-in basis.
 Coaches assist students in writing academic papers, preparing job applications, resumes and business letters, designing and rehearsing oral and visual presentations and learning to use and integrate sources into writing to support an argument. They also work with individuals or groups on special projects and assist students with learning differences.
The Writing Center also offers communication coaching to international graduate students, helping them prepare lessons, practice conversation, improve their teaching strategies, build vocabulary, learn slang and idioms, enhance their listening skills and practice reading and writing.
Writing Center coaches work with students and faculty to make all kinds of transitions, Grimm pointed out. “Students who are moving from high school to college or from another country to the United States can benefit from our resources,” she said. “The students and staff are inspired by the newly remodeled center and the Kimberly-Clark donation is a visual reminder of diversity and communication.”
See Writing Center Website
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