Each graduate assistant (GA) assigned to the Writing Center works as a 
Writing Center Tutor. GAs also have the opportunity to apply to be a Student Leader, assisting with one of our Writing Center 
Teams or program initiatives . Every GA takes Writing, Rhetoric, & Discourse (WRD) 582: Writing Center Theory & Pedagogy their first quarter working for the Writing Center.
Writing Center Tutor. GAs also have the opportunity to apply to be a Student Leader, assisting with one of our Writing Center Teams or program initiatives . Every GA takes Writing, Rhetoric, & Discourse (WRD) 582: Writing Center Theory & Pedagogy their first quarter working for the Writing Center.✨ Position Description
All Writing Center GAs are graduate students in the Writing, Rhetoric, & Discourse (WRD) or English (ENG) departments on an assistantship (tuition waiver + stipend).
GAs work at the Writing Center 20 hours/week during each of the 10 weeks in Winter & Spring Quarters. Autumn Quarter work obligations MAY begin later than week 1 and all GAs will be informed of their expected start date for Autumn Quarter work.
GAs are paid on a stipend (distributed bi-weekly) from your assigned department, but are still expected to report stipend hours on BlueSky.
Choosing A Student Leader Position
Writing Center GAs declare a preference (if any) for work positions for each academic year mid-Autumn quarter. As a first-year GA, you are eligible to apply for a Student Leader position upon successful completion of initial tutor training.
GAs have first priority for a range of Student Leader positions you may add to your work as a Writing Center tutor (splitting weekly hours between the two roles). GAs may choose to work all 20 weekly stipend hours as Writing Center tutors; you are not obligated to work as a student leader.
Differences Between First-Year & Second-Year Writing Center GAs
First-year Writing Center GAs
(unless you have previously worked at the Writing Center as an undergraduate)
- Take WRD 582: Writing Center Theory & Pedagogy course during Autumn Quarter
- Complete writing center tutor training during Autumn Quarter
Second-year Writing Center GAs
- Can change work preferences, including applying to a different student leader position
- Help train new Writing Center tutors each Autumn quarter through collaborative observations
- Mentor first-year GAs by building connections, answering questions, & assisting in their onboarding and/or role transition
Graduate Assistantship Information