Research

Dr. Russell Carpenter, Co-Chair

Dr. Joy Bracewell, Co-Chair

Dr. Scott Whiddon

Courtnie Morin

Dr. Kevin Dvorak

Below you can view the R&D committee's work over several years in developing the C.A.R.E. Certification Program.

See the 2017 survey questions and responses.

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2017: Launched SWCA-wide survey to gather information on certification planning and programs

2017: Analyzed data focused on pilot certification planning and programs. See the manuscript below for an overview and analysis of the pilot phase:

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.

2017: Launched pilot certification process with two SWCA-member institutions

2017: Invited audio reflection from two SWCA-member institutions based on experience with certification pilot program

2017: Launched v 1.1 of certification rubrics and tools (available below in Resources)

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2018: Designed and conducted focus group interviews regarding value added through regional organization (SWCA) certification process

2018: Shared research and update on certification design process at SWCA 2018. See slides linked below:

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.

2018: Announced centers certified through pilot program

2018: Launched updated certification process for 2018-2019 (2.0)

2018: Analyzed data regarding value-added SWCA certification interviews

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. Access .

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2019: Launched full-scale certification for all interested centers at Myrtle Beach SWCA conference.

2019: Analyzed data focused on certification planning and programs. See the manuscript below for an overview of research collection during phase two:

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.

2019: Shared research and update on certification design process at SWCA 2019. See slides linked below:

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. 21 February 2019.