Along with returning graduate assistants, the beginning of the academic year also sees new additions to the department. Graduate assistants in WRD fill a variety of positions both in and out of the department, including in the First-Year Writing Program and the University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL). Get to know this year’s GAs!
Three GAs are assigned to managing the blog. From editing to producing content, we are responsible for representing WRD and informing others as to the goings-on of the department. Duties are not restricted to the blog though – GAs also extend their work into the department’s social media channels and other inner workings of the department. Newcomers this year include Kristen Vosberg and Kristin Fleming, both of whom coincidentally have educational backgrounds in the sciences.
Kristin, coming from St. Louis, received her undergraduate degree at Loyola University Chicago, where she developed an interest in science writing while working in an inorganic chemistry lab. As a GA, she takes on tasks involving external communications such as managing contact with WRD alumni and developing relations with other departments.
Having minored in WRD, Kristen is continuing her post-grad education within the MA program, her professional interests also being science writing. In the past, she’s written for radio and podcasts dealing in a variety of scientific subjects running the gamut from biology to physics, and now she helps manage internal tasks in the department, such as advertising upcoming courses.
Two WRD GAs have the opportunity to work alongside other tutors in the Writing Center where, alongside helping students with their writing, they assist in administrative tasks. Since the start of the pandemic earlier this year, the UCWbL has shifted to a completely remote environment for their appointments, which means that the student relations are now almost entirely mediated through their online operations. Consequently, UCWbL GAs take on projects dealing with these elements.
Alongside returning GA Olivia Griffin, the new arrival this year is Kate Fabsik, a participant in WRD’s Combined BA/MA program and a former Writing Center tutor. Now as a GA, her work has shifted from helping with class assignments to online-base projects, a significant one being the UCWbL’s website and its online presence. As such, her primary attention is to online writing and content development, determining the best ways to communicate information for the Writing Center.
Another position with the assistantship this with Erin Workman, who manages WRD’s First-Year Writing Program. It consists mainly of assisting Dr. Workman with the program and helps create informational material. In the position this year is Kerri Martin, who shared a bit about her professional experience. “My past experience includes teaching public and private high school English, running a tutoring business, and serving as a legal assistant,” said Kerri. “Most of my own writing has been in the form of personal essays, short blog articles, poetry and more recently, writing for young adults.” Her projects with First Year Writing are multifarious, including reviewing course syllabi for composition courses and developing a new FYW newsletter.
Students enter into the assistantship for a variety of reasons, all of them tying back to wanting to develop their skills with writing for professional and personal reasons. When asked what experiences they hoped to gain with their positions:
“I am considering becoming a technical or science writer, and I think I am going to become a much more focused and efficient writer. I never run out of things to say, but I am hoping to learn when to pick and choose what to write based off of context,” said Kristin.
“I’ve been learning about WordPress and content strategy and the different ways to think about how your online presence affects your actual work,” said Kate.
For those interested in the assistantship, it’s advised that potential candidates start preparing material as soon as possible for application, which are due February 15. Notable material needed for admission are 15-20 pages of writing samples and two letters of recommendation.
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