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Writing Center Level 3 Master Certified Writing Tutor 

1.  Tell us a little about yourself, Michael.

My name is Michael Raup, and I am a undergraduate senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Writing. In my current role with the Learning Resources Center, I serve as a Level 3 Master Certified Writing Tutor through the College Reading and Learning Association and work with students face to face in the Writing Center and through online tutoring. I am from Prince George's County but reside now in Anne Arundel County.

 

2.  Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

I mainly assist the Writing Center in working with students face to face. In past semesters, I have served as a Conversational Language Partner for the English Language Institute and a Transfer Student Network Leader for Off Campus Student Services. Under Dr. Anissa Sorokin, the past Writing Center Director, I attended the Mid Atlantic Writing Centers Association (MAWCA) conference and presented research in March 2016. I also participated in the Naylor Workshop for Undergraduate Research in Writing Studies in September 2016 under the mentorship of Dr. Sorokin. My goal is to have my research published in the near future.

 

3.  How long have you been a Writing Center tutor? 

I have served as a Writing Center tutor since Spring 2015 when I completed my Level 1 CRLA training. Including summer terms, I have tutored for a total of 6 semesters.

 

4.  How and why did you get involved in being a Writing Center tutor?

I decided to change my major (from Information Systems) to a more writing focused program. In return, I decided to give back to the UMBC community by passing on my writing skills to students who needed the most help. I felt inspired to help students who may not have had the proper instruction in writing in past institutions.

 

5.  What is your favorite thing about being a Writing Center tutor?

I enjoy working with students face to face and helping them learn from their mistakes. I am particularly pleased when I see "the lightbulb" go off on a student when answering a difficult question and the learning that occurs.

 

6.  Why should students utilize the Writing Center?

Students should utilize the Writing Center to get feedback or a second opinion on important papers. As writers, we sometimes fail to get distance and objectivity from our work until we hear a second opinion from someone else.

 

7.  What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a Writing Center tutoring session?

Students should come to sessions with two hardcopies of their document. No mobile phones or laptops unless the student does not have access to a printer. Students should have specific questions in mind for targeted areas of intervention, especially with longer papers where the tutor cannot read everything in one session. Students should not expect tutors to just edit and proofread papers for grammatical errors, but instead learn from mistakes to become a more independent learner.

 

8.  When and where can someone work with you through the Writing Center?

I am available on Mondays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm for face to face appointments in the Writing Center on the first floor of the Library. On Fridays, I have online tutoring from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm.