The Learning Center is the nick-name for an organization that began years ago as The Center for Teaching, Learning, Communication, and Research. Our mission was and remains to enhance student learning through services to students, faculty, and staff.

Consultants at the Learning Center review papers, presentations, research assignments, as well as creative writing, in order to help their fellow students improve their skills in writing, presenting, and researching. In other words, we assist in the revision of drafts, but we are mainly concerned with enhancing a student’s writing, presenting, and researching PROCESS.

Our approach to learning is centered around peer reviewing, not peer editing. Because every student has an individual writing and presenting process, we can’t tell you what to write in your paper or say during your presentation. However, we can point out the errors you may be repeating again and again, and help you build on your strengths.

For creative writers, we can help you bridge the gap between your own writing projects and your academic writing. We also have consultants with experience on creative publication teams, who are sensitive to more artistic aspects of the written word. If you are considering submission to a literary journal or magazine, our consultants will be happy to review your pieces and offer constructive criticism. Many of our consultants are creative writers themselves, and know how important it is to respect a writer’s personal voice and style.

For upperclassmen, the Learning Center tapes mock interviews, develops résumés, and reviews cover letters and applications for jobs and graduate schools. We have GRE practice testing materials, as well as useful study guides. For students still exploring their options after graduation, our library contains guides to reputable graduate programs in many different fields.

You may also want to bring a list of concerns, so that your consultant can address them specifically. If you don’t have time to write down a list, come at least with some idea of the kind of help you need, so that we can make better use of your time and effort. Try to visit the center at least two days before the assignment is due, so that you have time to revise, and, if necessary, schedule a follow-up consultation.

• A current draft of the project you are working on, either on paper or on your laptop.
• A copy of the assignment from your professor, if applicable.
• Your laptop.
• Any sources you are unsure how to cite properly, if applicable.

Consultations last one hour, and can be scheduled weeks ahead of time. The Consultant will usually ask you to read your work aloud once, so that you can catch minor mistakes, and so that she/he can get a feel for your assignment and your style. She/he will concentrate on some issues more closely than others. Like a pyramid, the foundation of a paper has to be laid first. During your one-hour session, your consultant will review, in order, the following components:

• Idea Development/Invention
• Organization/Outline
• Word Choice
• Citation/Documentation of Sources
• Spelling/Grammar