SWCA News

Dear SWCA Attendees,

We are so excited to see you at the annual conference later this week! We wanted to share the official program document with you to help you finalize your travel and conference plans. Some presentation scheduling may have changed since the first time you viewed the schedule, so be sure to review your presentation details.

As you review the schedule of exciting events and presentations and make plans to connect with colleagues, please be certain to reserve time in your conference schedule to attend our featured sessions:

-Dr. Laura Emiko Soltis, Executive Director of Freedom University, will be joined by current Freedom University students and staff during the Plenary Lunch on Thursday from 11AM-12:30PM.

-Dr. Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Writing Center Director and Director of the Comprehensive Writing Program at Spelman College, will deliver the keynote address during the Awards Ceremony and Keynote Address on Friday from 11AM-12:45PM. 

Please let us know if you have any questions, and safe travels!!

Best wishes,

Levin Arnsperger, Leigh Elion, and Melissa Yang

2024 SWCA Conference Co-Chairs

Dear SWCA Members,

We are looking forward to seeing you at the annual conference Decatur, GA, hosted by Emory University, in just a few short weeks! We wanted to share information that will help you plan your conference weekend.

First, we are thrilled to announce several special events:

• Dr. Emiko Soltis (Executive Director of Freedom University) will lead a plenary panel on “Writing Across Borders: Disrupting Segregation of Undocumented Youth in Higher Education" on Thursday, February 22 at 11AM.
• Beth Michel and Dr. Malinda Lowery (leaders of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative at Emory University) will lead a special session on “Developing an Actionable Land Acknowledgment” on Thursday, February 22 at 1PM.
• Dr. Michelle Bachelor Robinson (Writing Center Director & Comprehensive Writing Program Director, Spelman College) will deliver the keynote address, “Writing Outside the Center: Engaging Community, Facilitating Change,” during a luncheon event on Friday, February 23 at 11am. 
• The keynote address will be followed by the SWCA Awards Ceremony on Friday, February 23.

Second, we want to let you know that the schedule of presentations is now available for review at this page and, soon, on the SWCA website. We invite you to proofread the document for typos in your name or session title (try searching the document for your name). If you find an error, please feel free to use the comment function in that document and we will make the correction. If you have additional questions about the schedule, contact us at swcaconference@gmail.com. If you were contacted previously with a question about your presentation format, please consult this document to confirm any changes to that format. 

We will reach out again soon with additional information about exciting local highlights and with suggestions about how to make your presentation as accessible as possible for all conference attendees. If you have accessibility concerns or questions or would like to request accommodations, we invite you to reach out to the conference co-chairs at swcaconference@gmail.com as soon as possible so that we have time to make any necessary arrangements.

Today is the last day to register for this year's conference in Atlanta! Late fees apply after today. Register at this link. Can't wait to see you in Atlanta!

Good morning, everyone. 

I am writing to announce the results of the election held last semester. Thank you to everyone who participated in the election by submitting nominations and voting.

The individuals elected to these positions will begin their terms at the upcoming SWCA Conference in Atlanta.

Here are the results:

• Graduate Student Representative: Madeline Crozier (University of Tennessee)
• State Representative for Alabama: Amy Dayton (The University of Alabama)
• State Representative for Florida: Meghan Velez (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
• State Representative for Georgia: Courtney Mullis (Georgia Institute of Technology)
• State Representative for Mississippi: Wonderful Faison (Jackson State University)
• State Representative for Tennessee: Allie Johnston (Austin Peay State University)
• Treasurer: Brittny Byrom (Oxford College at Emory University)
• Vice President: Joy Bracewell (Georgia College & State University)

Following interviews and a Board vote, James Howard (University of North Georgia) has been appointed Digital Content Developer.

Following the resignation of the State Representative for North Carolina and a Board vote, Tonya Doane (Bennett College) has been appointed to fill the vacancy until 2025. 

Best regards, 

Chelsea Murdock

Archivist, SWCA

The 2023 SWCA conference in Memphis, TN, is almost here! Join us to explore how to navigate change as we bring together students, faculty, staff, and writing professionals from both academic and nonacademic communities to discuss the questions and concerns we have about the work we do. 

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE UPDATES:

• The schedule is now available. A downloadable version will be made available shortly.
• The cutoff for refund requests is Wednesday, Feb 8, and requests should be directed to the SWCA Treasurer, Brandy Blake.
• Registration will remain open throughout the conference.
• Conference T-shirts are still available for purchase during the conference and will be shipped to buyers after the conference.

WHAT: 2023 SWCA conference
WHEN: February 9-11, 2023
WHERE: Memphis, TN (at the Guesthouse at Graceland)
WHO: Open to all

SWCA Statement on the Death of Tyre Nichols

February 1, 2023 

Dear Members,

As we prepare to hold our conference in Memphis next week, the Southeastern Writing Center Association acknowledges the tragic death of Tyre Nichols and the tremendous grief his family, friends, and community are experiencing. SWCA is committed to furthering discussions that advance a mission of social and racial justice, and we stand with those negatively affected by oppression and brutality. 

Much of the work of writing centers is holistic, focusing on empowering writers to amplify and share their voices, and it is important that we support this not just in our academic spaces, but everywhere, in all aspects of life. When SWCA convenes, we will do so with the heaviness of Tyre Nichols's death weighing on our hearts. The senseless, violent, premature end to his life reminds us of our responsibility to the community. Thus, through peaceful discourse, we will continue working to sow the seeds of inclusion and respect for all voices, especially the voices of people of color.

All the best,

The SWCA Board 

SWCA BOARD POSITION ELECTION VOTE

We received four nominations for Regional Representative for HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). At this time, this is the only position open for a vote. Candidacy statements can be found within the ballot. Please vote once.

Please submit your vote by 11:59pm EST on February 1.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the SWCA Archivist, Chelsea Murdock, at cjmurdo@clemson.edu.

Call for SWCA Board Nominees

Nominations are due this Friday, December 16. Currently, we have five positions on the SWCA board that are up for election.

These positions are:

• SDC Journal Editor (one position available)
• Digital Content Developer
• State Representative for Florida
• State Representative for North Carolina
• Regional Representative for HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)

See the SWCA Bylaws page for descriptions of all board position responsibilities.

Please submit all nominations via the form below by 5pm on Friday, December 16. Include the full name, institutional affiliation, and email address for the nominee. Self-nominations are welcome.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the SWCA Archivist at cjmurdo@clemson.edu.

We invite you to join us at the 2023 SWCA conference in Memphis, TN, to explore how to navigate change as we bring together students, faculty, staff, and writing professionals from both academic and nonacademic communities to discuss the questions and concerns we have about the work we do. 

WHAT: 2023 SWCA conference
WHEN: February 9-11, 2023
WHERE: Memphis, TN (at the Guesthouse at Graceland)
WHO: Open to all

Check out the Call for Proposals and submit a proposal by the extended November 8 deadline.

See conference page for details such as registration and hotel costs and a tentative schedule. Send questions to Clayann Gilliam Panetta (cpanetta@cbu.edu).