UNC Asheville's University Writing Center staff recently attended the Southeastern Writing Center Association's Annual Conference in Savannah, Ga. The Writing Center's staff members, including 11 undergraduate peer consultants and the director, Mary Alm, brought their expertise to the conference, which was hosted by Armstrong Atlantic State University.

UNC Asheville junior political science major Stirling Grodner and senior interdisciplinary studies major Rob Waskom presented "When English is a Foreign Language: How Writing Centers Work with EFL Writers." Sophomores Jaime Gresalfi and Andrea Mariategui, along with senior political science and sociology major Emily Zucchio, presented "Academic Writing: Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here."

Seniors Kathleen Blair and Luiza DeCamargo conducted a hands-on workshop on "Motivating Students to Participate in Groupwork and Collaborative Activities." Along with writing center professionals from other universities, Alm shared a pedagogical project, "Connecting Writing across the Curriculum and Writing Centers through Consultant Education."

Four student peer consultants presented visual representations of their work in the conference poster session. Junior Amanda Bowen and senior multimedia arts and sciences major Mary McCoy demonstrated their Web site in "Writing Centers on the Web: A Multimedia Presentation." Senior psychology major DiAnna Ritola's poster exhibited "Bridging the Gap: Consultant-Instructor Collaboration in Summer Bridge Programs." Sophomore Daniel Smedley constructed a cube poster, "Chipping at the Ol' Block," which displayed his discoveries about writer's block.

For more information about UNC Asheville's University Writing Center, visit www.unca.edu/uwc/.