University Writing Center Graduating Consultants: Farewell Message
Nemesis Rodriguez
Joined since Fall 2022, participated in our Workshop Committee, and worked on translating UWC handouts and PowerPoints. Nemesis will be starting her Master’s program in Creative Writing in Fall 2024.
Working at the University Writing Center has been one of the best parts of my college journey. I greatly enjoyed the calm, welcoming, and friendly atmosphere there is, and the friends I made along the way. It was fun to meet others who, even if they weren’t a writing major, were also pretty passionate about writing. Every semester had something new to offer, but my favorite were the sessions when the student’s gave a big sigh of relief after realizing that writing doesn’t have to be scary or dreadful. It’s very rewarding to hear that a student did well on the assignment we helped them with or that they got the opportunity they were pursuing.
I grew so much as a professional and I learned so many things at the UWC. Ranging from different formatting styles other than APA and MLA, to learning how to teach others to write thesis statements. As an aspiring educator, the one-on-one writing consultations provided me with a variety of experiences on how to adapt to a student’s learning style. Everyone is different and the great thing about working with a writing consultant is that we understand how intimidating it can be to share our work; however, everyone does a great job in making students feel welcomed. The UWC is one of the coolest places on campus, everyone should definitely stop by and visit!
David Vazquez
Joined since October 2022, during his time here he participated in Workshop and Hiring Committees, and worked on creating an online queue for the writing center’s check-ins procedures.
I have never considered myself a good writer, matter of fact I didn’t even like writing. Growing up I have avoided a pen and paper unless I had to, this was how it was till well past primary school. It was no doubt my weakest subject, my friends would often tease me that I might very well be the worst writer they knew. With 18 years of that prestigious title I could keep it for the rest of my life, or I could change. I have always known the importance of literature, so I decided to start acting like it. I put more effort into writing, cared about what I was saying, how I was saying it and over all changing my reason for putting ink on a sheet of paper. Never did see anything wrong with being terrible at anything, my only issue was with staying that way.
The first time I heard about the University Writing Center was the day that I applied, at a job fair where two of the consultants were there looking for new hires. The thought of working there was never in consideration, that was until they emphasized, that you did not have to be the best writer to work there. This was it, my way to make myself an even better writer, and what a grand choice it was. Although I started working here to make myself a better writer, it was the opportunity to help others that kept me there, it was the friends I have made, it was the occasionally donuts that I would steal from the break room before realizing that they were for actually for us. These are the friends and memories I have made here, and these are the friends and memories that will cherish for a lifetime and for that I am grateful.
Lizbeth Garcia Gonzalez
Joined since May 2019, she started working as an Undergraduate Consultant where she participated in leading the Publishing Committee and later the Workshop Committee. After graduating with her bachelor’s in creative writing she started working as a Graduate consultant and helped as one of the Assistant Directors, where she continued her work with the past committees at writing center. Lizbeth will be starting her PhD program in Fall 2024.
When I first applied to work at the writing center, I applied with the intention to grow as a student. Before applying I was not sure about my major or what I wanted to do with my college education, someone had suggested I look for a job on campus with an interest that I would like to develop or would offer a space for me to learn and grow. I knew I liked writing, so I turned to the writing center, at the time my only impression was based off what I had experience as a freshman when I visited. After going through the interview and training process I realized it was much more than reading student’s papers. A lot of the work that I learned from my time at the writing center was based off what I learned from my co-workers, we are all a community, and we were constantly collaborating. I learned to work with students one-on-one and practice a lot of my public speaking skills, before the thought of talking to other students made me nervous, I couldn’t even make eye contact but now it’s a skill I have dominated along with sharing my voice as much as I can.
There is so much that I love about the writing center from the students I have helped over the years to the friends and mentors that I gave gained at the end of my time here. I know my time at the writing center is coming to an end, but I am thankful for the opportunity to have been in a place that helped me grow more than I could have imagined and to have provided me with skills that I can take on in my next chapter.