Writing Council

Established in 2020, the UW Bothell Writing Council advances a strong, inclusive culture of writing and communication across campus.

The Council works to ensure that students develop effective writing skills throughout their academic journey, from first-year courses through graduate study. By supporting the intentional integration of writing across the curriculum, the Writing Council fosters collaboration across Schools and creates meaningful opportunities for student learning and faculty development.

Priorities for Academic Year 2025–26

Writing (W) Guidelines & Curriculum

The Writing Council supports high-quality writing instruction across disciplines by:

  • Reviewing W-designated course class sizes and developing recommendations for campus leadership.
  • Partnering with the Learning & Teaching Collaborative to offer faculty workshops and resources focused on effective writing instruction, including writing in the disciplines, writing processes, information literacy and AI, and accessibility.
  • Developing a certificate of completion for faculty participating in the W-guidelines workshop series, which may be used for tenure and promotion documentation.
  • Collaborating with UW Bothell Schools and the First-Year and Pre-Major Program (FYPP) to support implementation of the updated W guidelines.
  • Contributing to tri-campus efforts related to W and C general education requirements.

Writing & Communication Center (WaCC)

The Writing Council collaborates closely with the WaCC to:

  • Support ongoing assessment of tutoring services and faculty support initiatives.
  • Partner with WaCC staff and writing tutors to align tutoring practices with the W guidelines.
  • Provide feedback and guidance for writing-intensive courses across campus, including foundational composition, discipline-based writing, and technical communication courses.

Artificial Intelligence & Writing

The Writing Council engages with emerging technologies by:

  • Examining the role of artificial intelligence in writing instruction and assessment, informed by research from the CSS 479 / EDUC 250 collaborative project.
  • Developing clear, practical AI-use guidelines and instructional resources for faculty and students.
  • Exploring connections among W guidelines, AI use, and accessibility to support inclusive and ethical teaching practices.

Council Structure & Governance

To strengthen its impact, the Writing Council will:

  • Explore the addition of a student representative to ensure student perspectives inform Council work.
  • Review its original charge and provide recommendations to campus leadership to support writing and communication across UW Bothell.

Writing Council Members (AY 2025–26)

  • Antony Smith, Education Studies (Chair)
  • Laurie Anderson, STEM
  • Erik Echols, IAS; Writing and Communication Center
  • Kristin Gustafson, IAS
  • Deborah Hathaway, Learning & Teaching
  • Leslie Hurst, Library
  • Sunita Iyer, Nursing & Health Studies
  • Nhi Tran, Academic Advising
  • Laura Umetsu, Business

Logistical Support is provided by Richie Meyer and Elizabeth Ratanasitee in the Office of Student Academic Success (OSAS).