Recent Faculty Work

In July, Dr. Kaye Adkins, professor of English,  presented at the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) Professional Communication conference in Toronto; the conference is international, with attendees from North America, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Adkins was part of a panel that discussed the use of portfolios for evaluation of technical communication programs and of graduating students. Dr. Adkins explained the Missouri Western Technical Communication portfolio program, which has been in existence for over 20 years. The program was presented as a model for other programs.

In July, Dr. Adkins also participated in the iFixit EDU Symposium. iFixit, a leader in the Right to Repair movement, partners with technical communication teachers to provide students the opportunity to create repair manuals and publish them on iFixit's website, www.ifixit.com. Dr. Adkins was invited to participate as a veteran teacher, offering advice to teachers who are new to the program.

Prairie Lands Writing Project News

Co-Director Josie Clark(SJSD) and Director Susan Martens (MWSU) presented "Engaging Place, Empowering Writers: The Writing Marathon" at the Write to Learn Conference in Osage Beach, MO, on Feb. 16.

Co-Director Amy Miller coordinated the popular High School Writing Day event at MWSU on March 1 which brought approximately 200 high school students and their teachers from 17 area schools to our campus for a day of writing workshops, lunch, and an open mic session.  PLWP TC Terrance Sanders (Frontier STEM High School) served as Emcee.  Volunteer workshop presenters included PLWP TCs Dawn Terrick, Patsy Brost, Joe Marmaud, Reilly Maloney (East Buchanan High School), and Vickey Meyer (SJSD) as well as MWSU faculty members Meredith Katchen, Marianne Kunkel, Kaye Adkins, Bill Church, Michael Charlton, Bob Bergland, and Bob Nulph. English undergraduate students Michael Cullinane, Alexandria Null, Tiffany Rice, Brooke Howe, Lena Ashford, and Mandee Greer served as MWSU student guides and assistants. 

Co-Director Elisabeth Alkier (SJSD) coordinated another successful Summer Youth Writing Project for the Saint Joseph Public School District May 18-June 14.  SJSD teachers for this popular program, which served approximately 120 elementary students and 30 middle school students, included PLWP Teacher Consultants  Cindy Faucett,  Raelynn Stroud, Jolynn Venneman, Robin Pettegrew, and Josie Clark.

Director Susan Martens (MWSU) facilitated a Writing Retreat for area teachers at Conception Abbey in Conception, MO, on June 22-24. Marianne Kunkel (MWSU) served as Guest Editor.  

On August 4, Susan Martens and Amy Miller presented a session at the National Writing Project Midwest Conference in Madison, WI, titled "The Writing Marathon: Celebrating 25 Years."