One year ago, Milligan University opened the Writing Center in the basement of Welshimer Library. Since then, the center has become a place for students to develop their writing skills through feedback and conversation. Throughout its first year, students and staff have shared positive feedback about the center’s team and services.
When the Writing Center opened last September, its goal was to provide students with a free place to receive help with their writing. One year and a lot of appointments later, the center has developed in the best possible way.
“We had about 500 appointments last year, and every single feedback survey was positive,” said Grete Scott, the director of the Writing Center.
Many students described the center as a warm, welcoming and comfortable environment where they feel supported while working on their assignments. Students also praised the writing coaches for being friendly, patient and genuinely interested in helping them improve.
Over the last year, the Writing Center had 15 writing coaches on staff, including six graduate students and nine undergraduate students. While many of last year’s coaches graduated, five returned for another year at the center.
“Grete has picked a great team of coaches. I’ve been really impressed when hearing other coaches and students’ conversations and everybody just works perfectly together,” said Anna Jones, a new graduate assistant in the Writing Center.
Even though Scott hires and trains the writing coaches, the center is entirely student-run. Each coach brings different knowledge, perspectives and ideas, helping make the Writing Center a multidisciplinary and inclusive place where students can work together on writing and research.
This year, the center is also testing a distance coaching program for Emmanuel’s distance seminary students, using email and Zoom to support students who are not on campus. The Writing Center hopes to expand other programs as well, including graduate student presentations in classes, nonacademic writing workshops and its operating hours to better serve students, including athletes with busy practice schedules.
Students can book appointments at https://milligan.mywconline.com/admin/announcements/milligan.edu/writingcenter.
Photo: The Writer Center staff and Director Grete Scott for the 2026-2027 academic year (Photo Contributed: Grete Scott)
By: Tessa Wilck
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