In May, after 27 years as Professor of English at the University of Vermont (UVM), Nancy Welch, Ph.D., will retire. This means not only stepping away from her teaching, writing, and research, but also from her role as Coordinator of the Graduate Writing Center (GWC).

A dedicated instructor and scholar of composition and rhetoric, Professor Welch recognized the unique needs of graduate students and advocated for the creation of the Graduate Writing Center. In 2016, with support from the Graduate College, the Graduate Writing Center was launched. This resulted in the aggregated "UVM Writing Centers," which comprises the Writing in the Disciplines Program (WID), the Undergraduate Writing Center, and the Graduate Writing Center.

UVM is fortunate to have a writing center dedicated to graduate students. Many universities have a single writing center that serves both undergraduate and graduate students. While this approach is administratively practical, Welch and the Graduate College recognized that the writing resource needs of graduate students are different from those of undergraduates, and in order to serve the graduate student population most effectively, resources needed to be adapted to their particular needs.

Under the passionate and capable guidance of Dr. Welch, the Graduate Writing Center has hired and trained graduate student consultants to meet the needs of students enrolled in demanding graduate programs across the University, from social sciences, humanities, and the arts to basic and applied sciences. A certified tutor training program was implemented for the GWC consultant team, which has included talented graduate student writers of diverse backgrounds from a variety of fields. Through training and mentorship, Professor Welch has consistently attracted outstanding consultants who have both given and gained from being GWC consultants.

During her tenure, Professor Welch has grown the GWC in a variety of ways. The number of contact hours has steadily increased from its first year, which recorded 150 contact hours, to an impressive 1,383 hours in 2021.  Over the years, the center has expanded and adapted its services and resources to include remote and in-person consultations, email feedback letters, writing retreats, workshops, presentations, thesis and dissertation camps, online guides/resources, and faculty course support.  In 2018, the GWC improved its visibility and the student experience by moving from the dark, difficult-to-find location in the back rooms of the Waterman sub-basement to its current bright and welcoming space in Howe Library.  

All told, Professor Welch has directly and indirectly impacted the lives of thousands of students and given them the space, resources, support, and encouragement to "write fearlessly." The comments noted in GWC post-consultation evaluations consistently praise the work of the center and its consultants. This is in no small part due to Professor Welch's commitment to education, mentorship, and the work of writing centers.

Fortunately, much of Dr. Welch's work will continue through the Graduate Writing Center. We are certain that the new leadership will approach its future with the same dedication, passion, and commitment. We are pleased to welcome WID Faculty Associate and Lecturer of English, Holly Painter, M.F.A, as the GWC Coordinator for the next academic year.