Director of the Writing Center

Job Title:

Director of the Writing Center

Full or Part Time:

Full time

Hours:

40

Exempt:

Yes

Supervisory Org:

Academic Affairs (PM2)

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Director is responsible for supervising the university Writing Center, which serves Saginaw Valley State University by raising the level of excellence in student writing at all levels and in all disciplines. To achieve this goal, the Writing Center offers one-on-one tutorial sessions, workshops, and various resources to help students develop their writing and critical thinking skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Hiring, training, scheduling, and oversight of undergraduate/graduate peer tutoring staff and professional tutors in the Writing Center, both in-person and online.

• Management of the day-to-day operations of the Writing Center, including overseeing the physical writing center (located in the Gerstacker Academic Commons), online writing center, and website; coordinating student orientation sessions and writing workshops; supervising payroll and budget; and creating various student and faculty writing resources.

• Development of innovative programming based on reflective assessment of the Writing Center and its services.

• Support of undergraduate student research and community engagement aligned with the Writing Center’s strategic plan.

• Coordination of promotion of services to students and faculty in conjunction with the other services in the Gerstacker Academic Commons.

• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous review of policies outlined in the Writing Center Tutor Handbook, and prepare assessment reports aligned with institutional goals, standards, and effectiveness measures.

• Collaboration with academic departments and other units on campus, including the University Writing Program, Office of International Programs, First Year Writing Program and Center of Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

• Oversee TESOL student tutors and implement strategic writing and oral communication support for international and non-native English speakers. 

• Possible addition of tutors specific for graduate programs.

• Serve on university committees as appropriate and when requested.

• Collaboration with Student Success programs.

• Teaching one English Composition or Rhetoric course per year, as needed

• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

General supervision is received from the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Hire, supervise, and manage performance expectations for writing center undergraduate, graduate, and professional staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in English/Composition & Rhetoric or related field

• A minimum of three years of teaching and/or tutoring experience.

• Demonstrated understanding of best practices in tutoring writing, based on current writing center pedagogy.

• Experience in new program development.

• Operational management oversight.

• Strong communication and organizational skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and have the ability to learn new software quickly.

• Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community

• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of two years of relevant Writing Center experience. 

• Experience teaching university-level composition courses.

• A minor or certification in Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) to support diverse, multilingual student population.

• Scholarship in the field of Composition & Rhetoric, with emphasis in writing center theory and practice.

• Demonstrated efficacy as a teacher/tutor of undergraduate writers.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.

• All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan.

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

About SVSU:

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. SVSU was recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for 9 consecutive years (2016-2024).

SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels.  SVSU is constructing the first university research facility on Lake Huron to improve public health and the economy in the Saginaw Bay watershed.
 
More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2025). SVSU fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.svsu.edu.