Writing Center - How to Become a Writing Center Tutor

Undergraduates:

It is strongly encouraged that undergraduates interested in becoming a Writing Center tutor first complete ENGL 315/515 (Composition Tutoring), a three-credit hour course taught every other year by the Director of the Writing Center. This course offers training in how to ask thoughtful questions, draw out thorough answers, collaborate on a task, and give meaningful feedback. The course also partners with an ENGL 101 class for practical tutoring experience. Students who complete the course with a satisfactory grade are given preference for tutoring positions in the Center.

Graduate Students:

The Writing Center typically employs two graduate students each year. Graduate students are eligible for tuition remission as part of their position.  Our graduate tutors frequently hold leadership roles in the center through mentoring undergraduate tutors and participating in campus outreach. Therefore, preference is given to graduate students who have some supervisory or mentorship experience.

What do we look for in a tutor?

At the Writing Center, we don't just help our visitors produce better writing; we help them become better writers. The best tutors understand this distinction. They are thoughtful collaborators and active listeners; they lead with compassion; they are deeply reflective; they demonstrate openness to others’ perspectives and experiences; and, most importantly, they believe writing is a skill that can be developed through practice and patience.

Writing Center work is inherently interdisciplinary. We work with writers from disciplines across the university and, therefore, we welcome potential tutors and applicants from disciplines across the university.

Application Process:

Positions posted in Workday and hiring typically takes place in November for the Spring Semester and April for the Fall semester.

Applicants are asked to submit as part of their application a completed tutor application form, resume, and writing sample. 

Please contact Elizabeth Maffetone (maffetonee@xavier.edu), Director of the Writing Center, if you are interested in becoming a tutor or if you have a student who you believe would be a good fit for the center!