02/28/2025

CWPA March Update

A Monthly Update for Members

Dear colleagues,

Hello, happy almost-spring! We write this month with several opportunities to be recognized by CWPA through grants, awards, and leadership opportunities (see the list of FOUR items below). We also share information about upcoming CWPA event (another list of FOUR items, including info on our two big summer events--the workshop and conference). We send you big support as you continue in your semesters and hope to see you at upcoming CWPA events.

Opportunities for Recognition and Leadership

• Best Book Award
  The Council of Writing Program Administrators seeks nominations for its Best Book Award. This award recognizes books whose authors or editors have made an outstanding contribution to the field of writing program administration (WPA) work over the past calendar year (2024). Nominations due March 31. For more information, click here.
  
  
• Graduate Research Award
  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. Nominations due April 2, 2025. For more information, click here.
  
  
• VP Nominations
  The Nominating Committee of the CWPA would like to call for nominations for the position of Vice President for the 2025-2026 year. This position would begin on July 1, 2025. Candidates must have served CWPA in some capacity to be nominated. Service may include but is not limited to serving on the Executive Board, serving as an Ex-Officio member, chairing a CWPA committee, facilitating the WPA workshop, or co-chairing the summer conference. Nominations due April 4, 2025. For more information, click here.
  
  
• Grants
  The Research Grants Committee (RGC) of the Council of Writing Program Administrators invites proposals for research projects investigating practices that support educational equity and meaningful change in postsecondary writing or literacy programs. Proposals due May 1. For more information, click here. 

Opportunities for Learning

• Cultural Assessment Conversation on Theme Four: March 14.
  The next Cultural Assessment conversation, facilitated by Executive Board members Talisha Haltiwanger-Morrison and Darci Thoune, will discuss theme 4 from the Cultural Assessment Report, “Equity Implementation” in CWPA. You can register here and check out reports from our previous two conversations here and here. Cost for members and nonmembers: free.
  
  
• Questioning the Blank Page: Generative AI as Part of the Reading and Writing Process: March 21.
  As generative AI continues to reshape education, understanding its impact and potential in writing instruction has never been more critical. Dr. Jeanne Beatrix Law of Kennesaw State University will open with data on student attitudes toward generative AI, gathered from over 1,500 first-year students. Building on these insights, Dr. Mary Lourdes Silva of Ithaca College will present curricular examples from a research writing course, demonstrating how GAI can be integrated into the reading process. Join us to explore data-driven insights and innovative teaching strategies that harness the potential and acknowledge the limitations of generative AI in the writing classroom. Free for members, $25 for nonmembers. Register here.
  
  
• Summer 2025 Online Conference: Submit Your Proposal by March 31
  The conference portal for CWPA’s Summer 2025 conference is open! You can register for the conference and submit proposals. 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. Please share the CFP widely and join us on zoom next summer!
  
  
• Summer 2025 In-Person Workshop for New and Continuing WPAs: Registration Open
  The summer workshop for new and continuing WPAs will take place at the University of Houston-Clear Lake from 6/23-6/25. Our co-facilitators are David Green and Michelle Bachelor Robinson. The cost of registration will be $675. Registration will include two breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner, and all workshop activities, but it will not include housing or travel costs. Registration is open.

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