Looking Ahead

With the 2023 MiWCA Idea’s Exchange, we wanted to reflect on the changing landscape of college education and look ahead to the ways it is still evolving for Writing Centers. For the last few years, the MiWCA has been waiting to return to in-person conferences. The 2023 MiWCA is intended to be a new beginning with the goal of looking ahead to the issues, questions, and changes we all face. 

Whether we are assisting new student populations, changes to the status quo (such as raising tutor wages), Artificial Intelligence in writing, or other internal/external developments, Writing Centers must continue to adapt to an evolving college landscape. Conversations about AI and the college essay continue to thrive and many see a future where AI plays an active role inside the classroom and outside of it. But AI isn’t the only change we face. 

Post-pandemic, students nationwide have been less engaged with their education and the forms of academic support designed to assist them. Whether students stop regularly attending classes or shift away from traditional forms of academic support, we don’t know if these changes are temporary or if they reflect new priorities for students. We welcome the opportunity to talk through challenges and opportunities with fellow Writing Center people. 

We hope you will join us for a day of conversation and collaboration on the Allendale Campus of Grand Valley State University, on Saturday October 28th. We welcome submissions from tutors/consultants, faculty, graduate students, and administrators. All submissions, regardless of how well they align with the theme, will be considered. The MiWCA 2023 proposal submission deadline has passed. Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to seeing you in October! 

MiWCA 2023 conference program 

MiWCA conference feedback form

MiWCA session slides/presentations

Proposal Requirements

For this conference, Proposals are to be submitted via Google Form and are required to have:

• A title
• A 100 word abstract (this will be added to our conference program)
• A chosen session format

The Proposal submission deadline has passed. We are currently reviewing abstracts and look forward to seeing you in October!

Available Session Formats

• Panel Presentation: 10-15 minute individual presentation within a 50 minute session.
• Individual Presentation: 50 minute presentation on a singular topic
• Roundtable: 50 minute session focused on leading a discussion around a singular topic
• Workshop: a 50 minute session where attendees learn and practice a new skill
• Walk & Talk: a casual, open-ended discussion focused around a proposed topic or question while walking around GVSU's campus and Arboretum 
• Poster: A standalone visual representation of a specific study or topic

We are excited to host the 2023 MiWCA conference here at Grand Valley State University and we look forward to seeing you in Allendale this Fall! For help with any questions or concerns regarding the upcoming conference, feel free to email any of the following Writing Center Administrators:

Patrick Johnson, Writing Center Director

[email protected] 
(616) 331-8077 
Writing and Michigan Authors, Fred Meijer Center for 
119 Lake Ontario Hall 
Dept. Phone: (616) 331-2922

Meredith Fedewa, Writing Center Assistant Director

[email protected] 
(616) 331-8493 
Writing and Michigan Authors, Fred Meijer Center for 
112 Lake Ontario Hall 
Dept. Phone: (616) 331-2922

Lisa Gullo, Office Coordinator

[email protected] 
(616) 331-2922 
Writing and Michigan Authors, Fred Meijer Center for 
120 Lake Ontario Hall 
Dept. Phone: (616) 331-2922