Converse University Writing Center Recognized for Excellence
Written by Karen Rhodes
The Center Acknowledgement and Recognition of Excellence Program (CARE) has honored Converse University’s Writing Center for its commitment to literacy, learning, and writing. This coveted certification was awarded by the Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA) in December, and institutions can reapply for recertification after the first five years.
University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs William S. Case is proud to see Converse recognized for its outstanding service and dedication to students in this area. He credits Dr. Jeffrey Howard, Assistant Professor of English and Director of the University Writing Center, for leading this collaborative and nurturing space. “I’m grateful for Dr. Howard’s leadership and ability to support and mentor his team and our students,” Case said. “He partners with numerous departments on campus to promote student success.”
Dr. Howard, while grateful for the accolades, is quick to shine a light on his predecessors’ hard work as well. “We are building on a foundation of excellence that was laid by The Writing Center directors who came before me, including Dr. Emily Harbin and multiple others,” he explained. “Without their contributions, this center would not be what it is today.”
“We are building on a foundation of excellence that was laid by The Writing Center directors who came before me.”
Dr. Jeffrey Howard
The Writing Center at Converse is dedicated to providing academic support for the needs of student writers across the curriculum. Its staff and peer consultants offer assistance to writers of all ability levels with learning prewriting strategies, understanding the writing process, developing a thesis, strengthening the focus of a paper, including supporting details, creating effective introductions, recognizing strengths and needs, identifying and correcting grammatical errors, and more.
According to SWCA, CARE is the only certification by the writing center community for the writing center community. The program certifies writing centers committed to literacy, learning, and writing, and it establishes “professional criteria relevant to diverse local contexts, providing writing centers the opportunity to articulate their unique stories and celebrate their accomplishments.”
“The Writing Center’s help has advanced my writing skills and allowed me to succeed in the courses I have taken.”
Sofia Giraldo Jimenez ’26
Dr. Howard was invited to serve as a CARE Reviewer, which involves providing feedback on other institutions’ CARE applications. Other South Carolina institutions earning this honor include Claflin University, Clemson University, Coker University, College of Charleston, Spartanburg Methodist College, and Wofford College.
Converse student Sofia Giraldo Jimenez ’26 says the University’s Writing Center has helped her adapt to the structure of American English. “During the last few semesters, the Writing Center’s help has advanced my writing skills and allowed me to succeed in the courses I have taken,” she explained.