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C.A.R.E CertificationThe "Center Acknowledgment and Recognition of Excellence" (C.A.R.E.) program was developed by the SWCA Research & Development (R&D) Committee as part of its focus on using institutional and organizational research to provide enhanced resources and opportunities for members of the writing center community.
The SWCA invites centers to apply for certification to be recognized for the value they bring to their consultants, clients, and institutions. Certification applications are welcomed on a rolling basis, and reviewed tri-annually according to the cycle deadlines listed below. Centers receiving certification will be acknowledged online and at the annual SWCA conference. Newly certified centers may apply for Center Innovation Funds that can be used towards tutor professional development. SWCA-CARE Innovation Grants are awarded to writing center programs who demonstrate a financial need to support professional development and continued enhancement of writing center initiatives. Programs who apply may be eligible for up to $250 based on the quality of the project proposed, a demonstrated need, and the SWCA resources during the given year of application. The annual review and recertification process includes three cycles (A-C). The process will be coordinated in the order in which notifications are received.
Certified centers are encouraged to display the C.A.R.E. certification badge, and to link back to the SWCA C.A.R.E. Certification page. Please contact us if you have questions about the C.A.R.E. certification program.
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C.A.R.E. FAQs
Contact Karen Keaton-Jackson and/or Jennifer Smith Daniel.
Any writing center operating at an educational institution at any grade level.
The certification process consists of the following steps:
- Step 1: Submission of Letter of Intent
- Step 2: Submission of Application
- Step 3: Review of application by SWCA committee
- Step 4: SWCA Consultation with Applicant
- Step 5: Conferral of Certification
Newly certified centers may apply for Center Innovation Funds that can be used towards tutor professional development. SWCA-CARE Innovation Grants are awarded to writing center programs who demonstrate a financial need to support professional development and continued enhancement of writing center initiatives. Programs who apply may be eligible for up to $250 based on the quality of the project proposed, a demonstrated need, and the SWCA resources during the given year of application.
SWCA certification through the C.A.R.E. program is valid for five years. At the four-year mark, certified centers due for recertification will be notified, and recertification statements will be due one year from notification.
The recertification process consists of a two-page recertification letter sent to the R&D Committee summarizing steps the center has taken to continue excellent standards based on the following suggested prompts:
- How have you maintained the programs offered through your center since your last certification or re-certification?
- How have you enhanced programs offered through your center since your last certification or re-certification?
- How have you continued to establish relationships on campus through your center since your last certification or re-certification?
- Reflect on a major accomplishment for the center since your last certification or re-certification.
2022
- Auburn University (Auburn, AL)
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL)
2021
- Brazosport College (Lake Jackson, TX)
- Daytona State College (Daytona Beach, FL)
- Savannah College of Art and Design (Savannah, GA)
- Queens University of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
2020
- Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)
- Christian Brothers University (Memphis, TN)
- Coker University (Hartsville, SC)
2019
- Claflin University (Orangeburg, SC)
- College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, VA)
- Tennessee State University
- Piedmont Virginia Community College
- College of Charleston
- Augusta University
- Florida State University
2018
- Athens State University Writing Center (Athens, AL)
- Nova Southeastern University Writing & Communication Center (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
C.A.R.E. Application Resources
- Certification Recommendations
- Planning Guide
- SWCA-CARE Rubric (updated 5/2021)
- Sample Application Components
Carpenter, Russell, Scott Whiddon, and Courtnie Morin. “‘For Writing Centers, By Writing Centers’: A New Model for Certification via Regional Organizations.” WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship. 42.1-2 (2017). 2-9.
Carpenter, Russell, Scott Whiddon, and Courtnie Morin. “Research Toward a Writing Center Certification Process: Findings, Research, and Implications.” Southeastern Writing Center Association Conference. Richmond, VA. 22 February 2018.
Carpenter, Russell, Scott Whiddon, and Courtnie Morin. “‘For Writing Centers, By Writing Centers’: A New Model for Certification via Regional Organizations.” WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship. 42.1-2 (2017). 2-9.
Carpenter, Russell, Scott Whiddon, and Courtnie Morin. “Understanding What Certifications Mean for Writing Centers: Analyzing a Pilot Program via a Regional Organization.” How We Teach Writing Tutors: A WLN Digital Edited Collection. Eds. Karen Johnson and Ted Roggenbuck, 2019.
Whiddon, Scott, Russell Carpenter, Courtnie Morin, Kevin Dvorak, and Joy Bracewell. “Why Do This and What Do I Need?: A Workshop for Preparing SWCA Certification Proposals.” Southeastern Writing Center Association Conference. Myrtle Beach, SC. February 21, 2019.