Past Conferences

Our keynote will feature a panel discussion with local experts on AI.

Antonio Byrd is assistant professor of English at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. His research focuses on the legacy of using literacy for liberation carrying forward into present day Black digital literacies and media features. Antonio serves on the MLA Task Force on Generative AI Initiatives Standing and the CCCC Special Committee on GenAI. His book, Black Tech Ecosystems: How Black Adults Use Computer Code Bootcamps for Liberation, is out now with The WAC Clearinghouse.

Barbara E. Hill is the Writing Center Director, as well as a visiting assistant professor, at Avila University. She also serves as the Creative Director and Publisher of the Avila’s student literary journal Sound and Fury.

Carmen Orth-Alfie is an Associate Librarian at the University of Kansas, serving as a Graduate Engagement and Business Librarian in the University Libraries’ Research & Learning unit. Carmen approaches AI through the lens of information literacy and has an interest in the relationship between algorithms and research behaviors. She currently leads a research team exploring the effects of generative AI on the literature review process. In addition, she coordinates a research team on integrating AI literacy into the curriculum.

Round A

Clarity, Building Blocks, and Grocery Bags: Metaphors for Writing Tutorials

Joe Bush, University of Kansas – School of Social Welfare

While certain writing terms may be familiar to a tutor, they may confuse a student writer. Concepts like independent and dependent clauses, adpositional phrases, gerunds, third-order headings, and topic sentences can alienate unfamiliar writers. A powerful tool in the tutor’s toolbox is metaphor. Metaphors (or their close cousins, similes and analogies) can demystify arcane and unfamiliar concepts. This workshop will present research about metaphors, offer some examples from practice, and prompt discussions to help tutors apply them in future sessions.

Difficult Tutoring Sessions

Lannah Blystone and Paivi Bybee, Rockhurst University

Tutoring sessions can often be challenging, be that due to student behavior, writing topics, or interpersonal conflicts. This session will have participants review and reflect upon common difficult situations for writing tutors.

HOCs and LOCs Workshop

Lisa Brune, University of Kansas Medical Center

This session will provide an overview of the higher and lower order concerns (HOCs & LOCs) concept. Participants will work with student essays to discuss and apply concepts.

Round B

The Art of Welcome: Tutoring with “Unreasonable Hospitality”

Amy Pace, Kansas City Kansas Community College

Writing Center tutoring is rooted in a welcoming approach. Some writing centers identify themselves as “one big family;” but ill-defined roles can create imbalance. How can we welcome students into this home? Tutoring goes beyond completing assignments, and the writing process can challenge even confident writers. This session will explore the shift from tutoring as “transactional” to “experiential.” Tutors will discuss ways to use mindful hospitality, develop their own culture, and create a tutoring center as a mutually welcoming space.

Outlining and Prewriting Processes: Strategies for Enhancing Student Writing

Andrew Hartegan, Leah Lopez, and Megan Lewis, Rockhurst University

Starting a paper can be a challenging part of the writing process. Tutors can help students discern assignment goals and interpret the prompt, which can kickstart the writing process. Pre-writing activities, such as outlining, can also encourage the student. This interactive session will discuss approaches for prewriting that aim to boost student confidence. The participants will share their experiences, brainstorm together, and practice interpreting assignments and utilizing varied outlining approaches.

Mock Tutorials/The Conference Writing Center

Practice tutoring with colleagues. Writing Center directors and experienced consultants will be available in this area to role play various kinds of tutor session scenarios, so that you can practice some writing theories or ideas.

Round C

Individual Paper Sessions

Roque Daniel Delgado, Avila University

“Champions of the Writing Studio: How the Writing Center Contributes to Retention and Enrollment”

Samantha Demmerle and Jacob Jardel, University of Kansas

“Couch to Dissertation”

The Tutor as a Career Coach

Zac Jarrard, Jarrard Consulting, LLC

Students might visit a writing center to work on resumes, cover letters, or other supporting career documents. Tutors could be working with early, mid, or late career professionals. This session will examine resumes, cover letters, and how writing centers can support students’ career aspirations.

Citation Styles: APA and MLA

Chris Patch and Ehren Hertel, Johnson County Community College

This presentation is an in-depth overview of APA and MLA, focused specifically on the differences between the two. It is intended for writing consultants, but also discusses a few of the best resources for writers. The goal of this presentation is to help develop a foundation for writing consultants to work seamlessly with both formats.

Mock Tutorials/The Conference Writing Center

Practice tutoring with colleagues. Writing Center directors and experienced consultants will be available in this area to role play various kinds of tutor session scenarios, so that you can practice some writing theories or ideas.

Keynote

Generating Collaboration Through Writing and AI

Generative AI and other AI writing tools continue to evolve and impact academic writing and writing center work. The 2025 Conference keynote will feature a panel of local experts on AI, who will use their backgrounds and expertise to discuss recent trends and how the new technology impacts the way students think, write, and learn. Hearing these valuable perspectives will inform our response as tutors, teachers, administrators, and writers.

Round D

Ask a Tutor Panel

Roque Daniel Delgado and Paige Weiskirch, Avila University and Johnson County Community College

Ask your writing center questions in a safe, nonjudgmental, tutor-only environment (no Directors allowed!). This session invites an honest Q and A on topics tutors often encounter, such as discerning your strengths and weaknesses when tutoring, dealing with difficult topics/students, learning about best practices in writing center work, and overcoming tutoring jitters. Experienced tutors from a variety of area schools will facilitate this session.