Vice provost authors new book

Building from achievements made by the framers of university writing centers, Utah State University Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies and Research Joyce Kinkead’s new book determines the future and agenda of writing center scholars and professionals for the coming decade.

“This book is in honor of Muriel ‘Mickey’ Harris, ‘grand dame’ of writing centers,” Kinkead said. “She is beloved among writing center professionals and tutors.”

Although Kinkead’s collection uses past works of other essayists, she said her book includes a wide range of topics, including some entirely unique themes.

“The range of topics is interesting,” she said. “One essay addresses architecture of writing center spaces, which is the first time this has been addressed. Another fresh idea is a chapter written by a team of undergraduates and their mentors – exemplifying how hands-on learning and undergraduate research can be done in a writing center context.”

Professor Lisa Ede at Oregon State University described Kinkead’s book as a carefully conceived, thoughtful and thought-provoking collection of essays that anyone interested in writing center theory and practice will want to read.

Kinkead is also the author of “A Schoolmarm All My Life: Personal Narratives from Early Utah” and “Writing Centers in Contexts: Twelve Case Studies.” She was the co-editor of the “The Writing Center Journal” from 1985 to 1991 and served as the executive secretary of the National Writing Centers Association for eight years. She is a charter member of the association’s executive board.