Making collegiate writing accessible to all
Those wandering the fourth floor of Lucy Scribner Library will find that the doors of Philip Boshoff Writing Center are almost always open. Inside, students will discover a welcoming space with a couch, a station to make coffee or tea, and a basket of fidget toys. But this isn’t just a comfy study space; it's a hub for both creativity and community — a mission that is spearheaded by a small group of dedicated peer tutors who are passionate about making collegiate writing accessible to all.
A peer-run resource that prioritizes inclusivity
The Writing Center prides itself on being a peer-run resource for Skidmore students of all class years
and majors. There, trained student tutors provide one-on-one consultations, offering
judgement-free guidance and support at any point during the writing process. The center
runs on a mission of creating better writers, not just better writing, and students
who utilize the Writing Center will find themselves leading the charge on their own
writing goals. Their tutor is not their editor but rather a colleague, who offers
insight and specialization, but ultimately alllows students to maintain full control
over the direction of their paper.
The transition to collegiate writing can be daunting, but Skidmore’s Writing Center
makes this process manageable by offering the unique insider perspective of students
who have only just experienced this turning point themselves. It’s an approach that
many first-year students find particularly helpful.
“The Writing Center can help by offering direction, feedback, and an important dose
of perspective from real college writers who have been there and done that,” commented
ESL Specialist Thad Niles.
Alex Ciardullo '25 stands in front of the Writing Center's "Writing Tips" bulletin board.
At the same time, Writing Center resources aren’t limited to first-year students.
“The Writing Center really is open to literally anybody,” emphasized Writing Center
tutor Alex Ciardullo ’25, a music major with a media and film minor. “In addition
to the Writing Center’s limitless range in academic focuses, we as tutors will help
any peer at any stage of their paper, even if there is nothing written yet.”
Tutoring tailored to individual needs
Students can customize their tutoring experiences based on their own individual needs. Caitlin Jorgensen, senior teaching professor and director of the Writing Center, addresses some common misconceptions about the Writing Center’s work.
“Yes, we can sit down with your drafted paper and help you fix mistakes, but we can also help you brainstorm for ideas. Maybe you just need someone to talk through your ideas with you, you’re not really at the writing stage yet,” Jorgensen said. “We cover all aspects of writing, learning styles, and approaches to writing.”
A space of communal learning
At the core of the Writing Center’s approach to learning is the fact that its tutoring sessions do not take place in a traditional classroom setting. Instead, the center emphasizes communal learning: To become a Writing Center tutor, sophomores and juniors must complete The Peer Tutoring Project, a writing-intensive class taught every fall semester by Jorgensen. However, the learning doesn’t stop there. Just as students visiting the Writing Center can expect to gain something from the experience, tutors say they often benefit as well, and Skidmore’s Writing Center staff embrace this two-way interpretation of learning.
“I've found a real sense of mutual fulfillment when both my tutee and I have the chance to learn something new, whether about the writing process or a new subject,” said Olivia Grieder ’25, an English and social work double major.
Ultimately, work at the Writing Center is all about connection — whether it be the
relationship between the student and their paper, or that between two peers, relating
over a shared passion for learning.
“I have loved everything about working at the Writing Center, but mostly, how it invigorates
language as a collaborative and messy interaction,” noted Kimberly Pienkawa ‘25 an
English major and junior head tutor. “The Writing Center encourages all students to
walk in with an incomplete or incoherent draft and embrace the vulnerability there;
it promises revisions but never promotes writing as a final perfect product. Rather,
writing becomes an undeniable process, and a very social one.”
Common misconceptions about Skidmore’s Writing Center
Think you need to have a completed paper to visit the Center? Think again. Three Writing Center tutors debunk myths about the Writing Center and share the truth about everything it has to offer.
Myth: You can only visit the Writing Center with an English paper.
Reality: “You can visit the Writing Center with any paper no matter the subject, because tutors are trained for it all. You can bring an English paper to a psychology major or a biology paper to an English major, and sometimes getting a perspective outside of the paper’s area of study allows for more discourse and a new point of view.” - Fiona Promisel ‘24, senior head of the Writing Center, an English and studio art double major.
Myth: The Writing Center is only a first-year resource.
Reality: “No. In fact, it feels like as many upperclassmen utilize the Writing Center as underclassmen.” - Alex Ciardullo ’25, music major, media and film minor.
Myth: Professors don’t like hearing that their students have visited the Writing Center.
Reality: “Quite the contrary! Professors may sometimes give bonus points on assignments for visiting the writing center.” - Alex Ciardullo ’25
Myth: You must struggle with writing to benefit from a tutoring session.
Reality: “The Writing Center helps with all levels of writing. No matter your level, discussing your writing with someone else will help improve it. Many tutors continue to go to the Writing Center because of how helpful it is!” - Fiona Promisel ‘24
Myth: Writing Center tutoring sessions must take place in person.
Reality: “We have an online option and a breakout room in the center specifically for privacy when partaking in a zoom call.” - Alex Ciardullo ’25
Myth: Writing Center sessions can only be helpful if the tutor has specialization in your paper's specific area of study.
Reality: “Some of my most rewarding sessions involved material that I am completely unfamiliar with. When discussing subjects such as art history, political science, and religious studies with my tutees, I found that my lack of knowledge allowed me to plainly identify any sources of confusion or miscommunication.” - Olivia Grieder ’25, social work and English double major.
Myth: You must have a completed draft to schedule a Writing Center session.
Reality: “You can come to the Writing Center with anything, even a blank sheet of paper. Starting can be the hardest part and outlining a paper can seem daunting. So, you can come with a prompt and a question, a finished draft, or anything in between. No matter the stage of your essay, the Writing Center can help! Those sessions where the tutee comes in with nothing written create some of the best discussions and helpful outlines.” - Fiona Promisel ‘24
To schedule an appointment with the Writing Center, please click here. Students interested in becoming a Writing Center tutor should visit the Becoming a Writing Center Tutor page on the Philip Boshoff Writing Center’s website.