The Writing & Speaking Studio offers students one-to-one and group feedback on their
writing and presentations. Writing and speaking consultants work collaboratively with
students during the composing process to help:
- develop, focus, and execute ideas for specific audiences,
- understand expectations and communicate for different purposes,
- discover and build upon strategies for effective communication in local, global, and
digital contexts.
In addition, the Writing & Speaking Studio collaborates with faculty to provide students
with quality writing and speaking experiences across the curriculum. The Writing &
Speaking Studio directors offer faculty support in developing assignments, facilitating
workshops, responding to and assessing writing/speaking, cross-cultural communication,
writing for the web, and their own manuscript and presentation preparation.
Code of Ethics
At the Writing & Speaking Studio, we believe in celebrating diversity and advocating
for equity in teaching and learning. We strive to facilitate the evolution of language in tandem with social progress by encouraging writers to draw on their linguistic and cultural backgrounds and make
communication choices they believe in and by advocating for advances in language that are inclusive of all gender identities and pronouns.
Please read our statement on our commitment to ethical practices in writing and communication
center practice: Writing and Speaking Studio Code of Ethics
Strategic Vision
Our strategic plan for expanding the Writing & Speaking Studio was approved by the
President in 2016 and, as a result, we are now offering services in speaking and presentation.
The Writing and Speaking Studio has four key goals:
- Integrate Technology and 21st-Century Communication into Services
- Provide Speaking Tutoring Services
- Formalize Writing/Communication Across the Curriculum Program
- Support Graduate Student and Faculty Research Writing and Manuscript Production
Within each of these goals, a number of initiatives are underway, such as faculty
development workshops and resources and a focus on multimodality in staff education.
As we work toward these goals, we are poised to provide students, faculty, and staff
with comprehensive, creative, and innovative communication support in writing, speaking,
and presentation design.
Annual Data
To learn more about our activities and see our progress since opening in 2008, please
review the annual reports, retention data, and numbers of consultations available
on our annual data page.
Contact Us
Please contact the Director of the Writing & Speaking Studio with questions, comments, concerns, or to see how the Writing & Speaking Studio can
work with you.
Faculty and Staff
Directors
Sarah Blazer, PhD
Associate Professor and Director, Writing & Speaking Studio
Stephen Keating, MA
Assistant Professor and Associate Director, Writing & Speaking Studio; Acting Director
for Spring 2025
Administrative Assistant
Austin Bowie
Professional Writing and Speaking Consultants
Julie Forgione, MA
Rah-nee Kelly, MA
Deepti Sunder, MFA
Stephanie Zlotnick, MA
Peer Writing and Speaking Consultants
Abby Koehnen, Advertising and Marketing Communications
Aparna Pilai, Fashion Design
Cynthia Griffin, Fine Arts
Erza Idrizi, Fashion Business Management
Gabriella Vecchio, Textile Development and Marketing
Gargi Singh, Fashion Business Management
Isabella Michilena, Illustration
Justen Monserrate, Illustration
Mireille Vieux-Gresham, Illustration
Peti Aung Aye, Fashion Design
Rachel Supriya Philip, Fashion Design
Simon Ho, Fine Arts
Aidan Holloway-Bidwell, (Graduate Studies), Illustration
Claire Caverly, (Graduate Studies) Exhibition and Experience Design
Claire Ongaro, (Graduate Studies), Exhibition and Experience Design
Sandy Ing, (Graduate Studies) Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum
Practice
Please take a look at some of our consultants' tutoring philosophies.
