Writing Center Level 3 Master Certified Writing Tutor 

1.  Tell us a little about yourself, Michael.

My name is Michael Raup, and I am a undergraduate senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Writing. In my current role with the Learning Resources Center, I serve as a Level 3 Master Certified Writing Tutor through the College Reading and Learning Association and work with students face to face in the Writing Center and through online tutoring. I am from Prince George's County but reside now in Anne Arundel County.

2.  Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

I mainly assist the Writing Center in working with students face to face. In past semesters, I have served as a Conversational Language Partner for the English Language Institute and a Transfer Student Network Leader for Off Campus Student Services. Under Dr. Anissa Sorokin, the past Writing Center Director, I attended the Mid Atlantic Writing Centers Association (MAWCA) conference and presented research in March 2016. I also participated in the Naylor Workshop for Undergraduate Research in Writing Studies in September 2016 under the mentorship of Dr. Sorokin. My goal is to have my research published in the near future.

3.  How long have you been a Writing Center tutor? 

I have served as a Writing Center tutor since Spring 2015 when I completed my Level 1 CRLA training. Including summer terms, I have tutored for a total of 6 semesters.

4.  How and why did you get involved in being a Writing Center tutor?

I decided to change my major (from Information Systems) to a more writing focused program. In return, I decided to give back to the UMBC community by passing on my writing skills to students who needed the most help. I felt inspired to help students who may not have had the proper instruction in writing in past institutions.

5.  What is your favorite thing about being a Writing Center tutor?

I enjoy working with students face to face and helping them learn from their mistakes. I am particularly pleased when I see "the lightbulb" go off on a student when answering a difficult question and the learning that occurs.

6.  Why should students utilize the Writing Center?

Students should utilize the Writing Center to get feedback or a second opinion on important papers. As writers, we sometimes fail to get distance and objectivity from our work until we hear a second opinion from someone else.

7.  What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a Writing Center tutoring session?

Students should come to sessions with two hardcopies of their document. No mobile phones or laptops unless the student does not have access to a printer. Students should have specific questions in mind for targeted areas of intervention, especially with longer papers where the tutor cannot read everything in one session. Students should not expect tutors to just edit and proofread papers for grammatical errors, but instead learn from mistakes to become a more independent learner.

8.  When and where can someone work with you through the Writing Center?

I am available on Mondays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm for face to face appointments in the Writing Center on the first floor of the Library. On Fridays, I have online tutoring from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

• Communicating with the Student Body: More than any other branch in SGA, the Senate’s job is to listen to the voices of UMBC undergraduates and find new ways to respond to their needs, concerns and aspirations. Senators find and develop multiple avenues for connecting with students, sparking and collecting their ideas, and supporting them in their own projects to improve the UMBC experience.  
• Initiating Action to Improve Students’ Experiences: The Senate is where many of SGA’s new initiatives are born: an incubator of ideas and plans to improve UMBC policies, programs and practices. Senators work together, both at the weekly meetings and in smaller groups throughout each week, to envision needed changes, develop practical plans, and coordinate the work of implementing them, involving and receiving support from Executive Branch officers as appropriate.  
  
  For example, the Senate could decide that what the student body needs is new dining options in The Commons. A team of Senators would work together, coordinating with the President, to determine how to pursue these new options (identifying key decision-makers, researching the history of the existing dining options, developing a plan for advocating changes, engaging and informing the student body), and work to make the change happen. If the Senate develops an initiative that requires steady, ongoing attention in subsequent years, the initiative may shift to the Executive Branch for implementation after the first year.  
• Taking Positions/Considering Legislation: When SGA formally takes a position on an issue, such as a bill being considered by the state legislature, it does so in the form of legislation approved by a majority vote of the Senate (which can be vetoed by the President, subject to override by a 2/3 vote of the Senate). The Senate also has or shares responsibility for approving the annual budget, allocations of funds from SGA’s reserve account, and the appointment of certain SGA officers. In addition, the Senate manages a fund from which it can make allocations to SGA projects. 
• Representing the Student Body: Senators represent all students on UMBC committees (consisting of staff, faculty and students) that establish campus policies and practices. Fulfilling this responsibility entails both attending and participating actively in committee meetings and communicating with other SGA members and the student body about what the committees are doing. (This responsibility is shared with the Executive Branch). 
• Participating in SGA Initiatives and Activities: Senators work with members of the other branches of SGA to contribute to positive change on campus. 

Happy Friday, Chef Lance is back with a great recipe to get you through the weekend. Special thanks to Assistant Director of Marketing and Conferences, Jessica Williams for offering her culinary skills in this episode.