New Writing Center Opens at University of Mount Olive
MOUNT OLIVE – University of Mount Olive President Philip P. Kerstetter cut the ceremonial ribbon at the opening of the new University of Mount Olive Writing Center on Monday, September 10. MOC staff, faculty and students were in attendance to witness the special moment. The Writing Center was created by Quality Enhancement Program director Dr. Alexis Poe Davis, as part of the QEP’s On the Write Track initiative. “The purpose of the On the Write Track program is to improve student writing skills. The Writing Center is a support structure to assist MOC students become more effective academic writers,” Dr. Davis explained.
The Writing Center is located within the Student Success Center and takes appointments from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day. The appointments are thirty minute sessions with a trained student writing coach or a faculty member. “Students can expect to receive help with written assignments in any course, in any discipline – not just English classes!” Dr. Davis emphasized.
The goal of the Writing Center is to help students become better writers in the long term. “Students should not expect our writing coaches to proofread or edit papers; however, coaches are specially-trained to help guide students through their writing process. For instance, a student could visit the Writing Center to get help crafting a thesis statement or summarizing a research article or constructing an outline. Because a session is only 30 minutes long, students who are well-prepared will get more from the session. Coming to a session with one or two specific questions in mind will make the session be more helpful.”
The opening of the Writing Center symbolizes a significant effort by University of Mount Olive to help its students reach their highest potential. The next step is to extend help to every student, including the ones who don’t have a chance to visit during regular office hours. “We are looking forward to introducing services for our other locations, our online students, and our Evening College students. We’re just starting out, so we need a little time to develop these services, but our non-traditional students have not been forgotten!”
To schedule an appointment at the Writing Center, visit the Student Success Center or contact Callie Ayers at writingcenter@moc.edu.
University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The College, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Goldsboro, Research Triangle Park, Washington and Jacksonville. For more information, visit www.moc.edu.