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Writing Center Offers Students Valuable Lifelong Skills

August 2019
  • Writing Center
    QCC alumna Michaela Prosta works works with a student at QCC's Writing Center.

Something written well has the power to move mountains. No one knows this better than the folks at Quinsigamond Community College’s Writing Center. At QCC, the Writing Center is a tutoring and student resource center for writing, as well as a place where students can learn skills integral to the writing process, including reading comprehension, critical thinking, planning, and organization.

The Writing Center’s Manager, Kirsten Patey has seen amazing transformations in both students and the peer tutors who help the students, since her time at QCC. Ms. Patey has been at the Writing Center for the last nine years, coming to the college with a background in English and publishing. Before she came to the college, the Writing Center had never utilized peer tutors. She quickly realized students helping students resonated with the students who were using the Writing Center, and began a peer tutoring program. Peer tutors are often recommended by faculty (generally English faculty) and are outstanding students who want to help out other students.

“Traditional students in particular connect with peer tutors. They connect with the students who are peer tutors because they know they’ve been in their shoes,” Ms. Patey said.

The program has a huge success to both the students who use the writing center and the peer tutors who help the students. Indeed, many of the peer tutors start at QCC and then transfer to four-year institutions and beyond. According to Ms. Patey, a lot of peer tutors who have moved on after QCC have come back to still help out in the Writing Center.

“It’s rewarding for them and they want to come back and help students,” Ms. Patey added.

One QCC alumna who has come back to help out in the Writing Center is Michaela Prosta. Ms. Prosta was a Liberal Arts major at QCC approximately 10 years ago. She transferred from QCC to the College of Charleston, earning her bachelor’s degree in International Studies with an Asian Concentration. After finishing her degree, she moved to China to teach English and while she loved the experience, she missed being in school and enrolled at Florida International University (FIU), where she earned a Master’s Degree in Japanese religion.

While not a former peer tutor at QCC, the draw to help out her former college was too strong to ignore. She reached out to the Writing Center to work for the summer before heading to Brown University this fall, where she will be working towards her PhD in Asian Studies.

“While earning my masters at FIU, I also worked as the Asian Studies Program Assistant. The majority of my job entailed advising undergraduate students, which I absolutely loved. So, when I moved back to Worcester to spend time with family over the summer before embarking on my next academic endeavor, I immediately thought of looking for work at QCC,” she said. “I am incredibly grateful that I was able to come back to QCC and continue helping students. And being a tutor also helped me brush up on my own writing skills, which will no doubt come in handy at Brown.”

Ms. Prosta said the foundation she received at QCC has been invaluable, and strongly encourages students to check out the opportunities available to them at the college.

“Whether you already plan on transferring to another school, you plan on finishing a two-year program here, or you’re just looking to take a couple classes, QCC has something for you. Whether you’re knocking out some prerequisites for another program, or you’re taking that art class you’ve always wanted to take, the quality of education at QCC is on par with any other higher education institution," she said, adding, “And don’t forget to take advantage of all the resources here – including the writing center!”

The Writing Center is for any current QCC student who wants assistance with their writing.

“We help any student who wants assistance,” she said, noting that it’s not just the students struggling in writing, but also the student who is a high achiever and who wants to talk to someone about their writing.

Students interested in becoming a QCC peer tutor can reach out to Ms. Patey at kpatey [at] qcc.mass.edu or call 508.854.7488 to learn more.

To learn more about the support services available, visit the QCC Writing Center.

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