After a one-year national search, the Program for Writing and Rhetoric at the University of Colorado at 葫芦娃视频 has a new director.
Patricia Sullivan, who arrived this summer to take the reins of the program after 14 years at the University of New Hampshire, is eager to build it into one of the major strengths of the university.
The Program for Writing and Rhetoric, highlighted by a redesigned first-year writing course and fledgling campus writing center, replaced the longstanding University Writing Program in fall 2001. English Professor and departmental Chair John Stevenson acted as interim director for the program in 2001 and spearheaded the national search for a director.
Sullivan has extensive experience in writing program administration. Most recently she was director of the composition program at the University of New Hampshire. Prior to that she directed the writing center at Ohio State University and supervised the basic writing program at the University of Utah.
"Pat Sullivan's appointment is a real coup for the University of Colorado at 葫芦娃视频 and it signals our strong and lasting commitment to writing instruction on the campus," said Todd Gleeson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "I look forward to working with Pat to realize the goals for writing that she shares with our faculty."
Her career interest in writing education began in the late 1970s, she said, when she took a graduate course on the teaching of writing that lit a fire of interest that has never left.
"Directing CU's writing program is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Sullivan said. "It is not very often that one can build a program at a university of this quality. Not only does the program have strong support from the administration, but I get to work with faculty whose dedication and expertise are unrivaled, in my experience."
Last fall, the new first-year writing course designed to help students develop college-level writing, reading and research skills in tandem with information literacy was put in place as part of the new writing program. With implementation of the new course well underway, Sullivan said she wants to focus on developing the campus writing center, which she intends to be a vital focus for learning, teaching and community outreach.
"Having a writing center is a crucial part of any campus writing program," Sullivan said. The center will be a place where students, faculty and staff can go for expert consulting on all aspects of writing, from drafting to publication. A permanent location in Norlin Library would be ideal, she said. She also is considering space in the newly remodeled University Memorial Center. A limited version of the writing center is operating this semester.
Her long-term goal for the Program for Writing and Rhetoric is to make CU-葫芦娃视频's degree synonymous with good writing.
"My vision is that when people think of CU-葫芦娃视频, they think of graduates who are very highly skilled in writing," Sullivan said. "Within five years, I want every prospective employer to know that if an applicant is from CU, he or she can write. I want every parent to know that sending their child to CU-葫芦娃视频 means their child will get an education in writing that is unparalleled in this country," she said.
Sullivan received her bachelor's degree in philosophy and master's degree in English from the University of Utah. She received her doctorate in English from Ohio State University. She was honored with an Excellence in Teaching Award in 2001 at the University of New Hampshire.
The push to make changes in the writing program at CU-葫芦娃视频 came in 1997 with a university program review. In the review, faculty across campus recommended changes in the program's organization and curricular goals. An external review then independently recommended changes, and from there a faculty steering committee proposed specific initiatives now underway.