Dear Members,
Hello! Here are the updates we’ll be covering in this December update:
Conference Update
The CWPA Conference Planning Committee is very happy to share that the conference portal for CWPA’s Summer 2025 conference is open!
The purpose of our conference theme, “Chairs, Coordinators, Directors, Leads, WPAs: The Shifting Nature of WPA Work,” is to highlight the varied voices that are doing WPA work and have important insights to share. Proposals are due March 31, 2025. Please share the CFP widely and submit proposals to share your work!
Also, if you’re interested in assisting with the proposal-reviewing process, please submit your interest here https://forms.gle/aoprvfCtYw1h3C9T9
Calls for Applications and Submissions
1. Call for the Next Editor/Editorial Team for WPA: Writing Program Administration (applications due February 15)
The Council of Writing Program Administrators is seeking the next editor or editorial team for its journal, WPA: Writing Program Administration. The term is for three years, with possibility for two-year renewal Our current editorial team of Tracy Ann Morse, Patti Poblete, and Wendy Sharer will conclude their term with the spring 2026 (49.2) issue.
The new editor or editorial team will work with the current team to publish content already in development and process submissions in fall 2025 and spring 2026, and assume full responsibility for content and production beginning with the fall 2026 (50.1) issue.
Interested applicants should have the following qualifications: publications and expertise in the field of writing program administration and related areas; knowledge of the issues that have preoccupied the field, both historically and in the recent past; familiarity with the journal, an understanding of the role the journal plays in the field and a vision for the journal’s future; a commitment to diversity and inclusive editorial practices; current membership in and a history of involvement with CWPA; strong editorial and organizational skills; and prior editorial and reviewing experience.
We especially encourage applications from marginalized and underrepresented scholars and prospective editorial teams.
To apply, please submit an application letter explaining why you are qualified for this position and describing any resources or support your institution(s) will be able to provide (released time, clerical support, startup funds, etc.), as well as resources you will request from CWPA. Applicants should also submit a current c.v. for each member of the prospective editorial team. If you are proposing an editorial team, please explain how you will work together on editing and production of the journal. Upon request, additional information about editorial responsibilities and workflow, journal finances, and production timelines will be made available to prospective editors. Address queries to Jacob Babb, Chair of the Publications Committee, at babbjs@appstate.edu. Send the application electronically as a single file to Jacob Babb at babbjs@appstate.edu.
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025. Members of the Publications Committee will review materials and select applicants to invite for virtual interviews to be held in March 2025. We hope to finalize an agreement with the new editor or editorial team no later than May 15, 2025.
2. Call for Submissions: 2025 CWPA Graduate Research Award (due 3/2/2025)
Please apply or share it with anyone you know who might be interested in applying! The CWPA Graduate Research Award Committee is now inviting applications for the 2025 award. This award recognizes outstanding scholarship by graduate students writing on issues in writing program administration.
Submissions are due Sunday, March 2, 2025. A certificate and a total cash prize of $300 will be awarded to the winning submission; also, the winner(s) will be invited to present their outstanding project at the 2025 CWPA Summer Conference (July 10–11, 2025) with a conference registration fee waiver. Of particular note, each submission will be returned with detailed qualitative feedback from our committee members. Details about the award and submission guidelines can be read here or through this direct link: https://tinyurl.com/2025GradResearchAward.
Questions or inquiries should be directed to the committee Chair, Andy Jiahao Liu, at liu.jiahao@connect.um.edu.mo and/or ajliu@arizona.edu. We look forward to receiving and reading your submissions.
CWPA Events December and January
Participation in CWPA events so far has been excellent! Continue to take advantage of these opportunities for professional development and critical reflection.
December 13: “Mindful Leadership for Writing Program Administrators: Recognizing Values and Setting Intentions”
Have you found yourself wishing you had space to reflect on your administrative work, set priorities, and perhaps just breathe? Join this two-part workshop on mindful leadership, focused on writing program administration, led by Susan Miller-Cochran. Registration for the December workshop will include registration for a workshop in May, “Mindful Leadership for Writing Program Administrators: Exercising Compassion through(out) Reflection.” Reserve your seat now for this BOGO offer!
January 10: CWPA Cultural Assessment Conversation Theme 3, Diversity of Experiences and Identity
This 75-minute conversation will unpack Theme 3 of the 2023 Cultural Assessment Report (pages 13-14). The conversation will involve the opportunity to respond to the theme in writing and discussion. Participants will also have a chance to review themes that emerged in the survey / conversation from conversations about Themes 1 and 2.
Please reach out to us if you’d like to discuss any aspect of CWPA–our emails are below!
Until next time, stay well!
Kelly Blewett, CWPA President, councilofwpa@gmail.com
Erin Lehman, CWPA Vice President, elehman4@ivytech.edu
Amanda Presswood, CWPA Secretary, cwpasecretary@gmail.com
Christal Seahorn, CWPA Treasurer, cwpatreasurer@gmail.com