Research

Research Overview

A core goal in my research is to explore and improve the experiences of Black women and other marginalized groups in writing centers and the broader field of writing studies. Much of my work marks me very clearly as a writing center scholar. However, my work spans what are for me the deeply intertwined fields of writing center studies, writing program administration, Black feminist studies, and community-engaged writing. Questions guiding my work are: what are the experiences of Black women in writing centers/writing studies? And what challenges and barriers exist for Black women and others in these fields? Importantly, I also seek ways to remove or lessen those barriers. A commitment to racial and social justice is clear throughout my research, whether that be my exploratory or narrative-based scholarship, my community-engaged projects, or my more empirical applied research on writing center assessment and administration. 

Racial Justice

My work on racial justice centers the experience of Black women and other people of color  in writing centers and writing programs.  

Community Engagement

Writing Centers

Writing Centers and Racial Justice: A Guidebook for Critical Praxis (forthcoming, August 2023)

OU Writing Center

I am currently conducting an assessment of the OU Writing Center. This assessment includes two prongs:

1: Repeat clients: 

Why do clients return to the Writing Center (what factors contribute to repeat visits)?

Are repeat visits more helpful (or perceived as more helpful) than initial visits?

2: Faculty who teach writing

When and why do faculty refer students to the Writing Center?

What writing support do faculty feel their students need from the Writing Center?

How effectively do faculty feel the Writing Center meets the needs of students in their departments? 




Expository Writing Program


I am currently conducting a curriculum review and assessment for the Expository Writing Program. 

The curriculum review process lasted a year from April 2022-April 2023 and resulted in revised and expanded goals and outcomes for the program. 

The new goals and outcomes will be implemented beginning the Fall 2023 semester, with mini-assessments each semester and a full-scale program assessment during the 2025-2026 academic year.