Writing Tutors Encourage Students, Inspire Confidence

For several years now, certain MU students have dedicated hours to assisting their peers with writing. English Professor Dr. Domani Pothen sought to formalize this practice by initiating a writing tutor program with the blessing of university administration. With the initiation of the Academic Support Center, the writing tutor program was officially supported and formalized.

At the end of the fall 2016 semester, the writing tutors Pothen had a vision for scored quite high in

student satisfaction surveys. To see why students appreciated their work so much, one of the tutors gave us insight into what they do for the MU community.

Senior English major Hogan Schaak is a writing tutor who believes writing is how we often manifest our thoughts to the world. He has been tutoring under the supervision of Pothen since he began his sophomore year at MU. “When people show up who really want to be here, it’s great to see how they think and what makes them excited,” says Schaak. “Improvement in critical thinking through writing makes you more confident in yourself and gives you the ability to engage readily with others. This is probably the most fun job I have had.”

Pothen took this opportunity to acknowledge the character of the writing tutors under her tutelage: “The tutors have always been caring and lowly people,” she says. “They are willing to meet their students, hear them, see how they express themselves and then encourage them.”

With humble students encouraging their peers to develop skills that will give them more confidence throughout life, it’s no surprise that the writing tutors ranked high in student satisfaction surveys. As the end of the semester approaches with hordes of final papers and projects, the writing tutors will undoubtedly be the encouragement needed by many to make it through these last few weeks.

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