The Center for Writing and Speaking (COWS)
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Mission Statement
The Center for Writing and Speaking (COWS) is a resource for all members of the Whitman community. We support a culture of peer feedback on writing and speaking at all levels and in all genres. We believe that all writers and speakers benefit from working with others. To facilitate this community, we offer a variety of programs and opportunities, such as individual consultations, workshops, and group writing hours in the COWS, peer feedback on writing in particular courses from our Academic Writing Course Assistants, and cultural mentorship and navigation through our Whitman International Mentors (WhIMsies) program.
Covid Protocols
One-on-one conversation is the heart of the COWS. We want to talk with you about your writing and speaking projects. In our current pandemic, we have had to make adjustments to this core service. Though we are now open to in-person consultations, we must keep at least 3ft. of distance and remain masked throughout the meeting. This means it may be helpful to bring more than one copy of your work in order to maintain a safe distance while reading together. If this is prohibitive to your learning style, online consultations are still available through the scheduling link. If you are working with an Academic Writing Course Assistant or a WhIMsie, they will arrange appropriate meeting times and spaces with you and are expected to follow the same safety guidelines.
Career Writing
If you are looking for help on a resume or cover letter, please reach out to the Student Career Advisors. They are available to help with all aspects of applying to jobs and internships. Find their drop-in hours schedule on the SCA webpage, or schedule an appointment via Handshake.
The COWS
How We Help
Academic Writing Course Assistants (Writing Fellows)
Writing fellows are hired by individual professors to work with a particular course by mentoring the students in the course on their writing. This can take place in a variety of ways: one-to-one consultations over essays, group workshops, or small group peer editing, for instance.
Whitman International Mentors (WhIMsies)
WhIMsies work one-on-one and in small groups with first-year International Students. The goal of the program is to offer personal attention to students adjusting to the academic culture of Whitman College and to everyday life in the United States and in Walla Walla. Mentors provide high-quality support and assistance for incoming international Whitties, contributing to inclusivity and cultural understanding at Whitman College.
Jobs Through The COWS
Become a COW(s): Coach of Writing and Speaking
COWS is not currently hiring. Students enrolled in RWPD 310 will be eligible to apply in October. RWPD 310: The Theory and Practice of Tutoring Writing — This course is a required prerequisite to working in the COWS.
Become an Academic Writing Course Assistant (Writing Fellow)
If you are interested in serving as an Academic Course Assistant, talk to your professor about the possibility or reach out to Prof. Jenna Terry at terryj@whitman.edu.
Become a WhIMsie: Whitman International Mentor