Date: November 7, 2022 at 4pm ET
(Registration closes 11/04/22)

This event is free for AWAC members. Interested guests can review our individual and institutional membership options before registering.

During this workshop, presenters will discuss a new and innovative program they have developed for their writing center: affinity groups focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion. They will share the groups’ design, goals, and curricula, and they will describe their methods of creating brave spaces for critical conversations. Audience members will have the opportunity to deeply explore how one writing center is working toward LGBTQ+ inclusion and to consider how they might implement affinity groups within their own contexts.

Meet Our Speakers

Katharine H. Brown (she/ her) is the Assistant Director of University Writing at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. She has over a decade of experience supporting student success through teaching English courses and working in writing centers. Katharine is a Ph.D. candidate in English Education at Auburn University; her dissertation addresses LGBTQ+ inclusion in writing centers. Beyond her dissertation, Katharine researches inclusive writing center pedagogies and practices, such as antiracism, accessibility, and mindfulness. She is an experienced yoga teacher and enjoys spending time with her partner and their many pets.

Jake Gebhardt (he/him) began working for University Writing in August 2021 as a Program Administrator. He received his M.A. in English from Sam Houston State University, his B.A. in English Education from LeTourneau University, and is currently focusing his research on digital literacies. Jake has worked in writing centers and connected student support services for over ten years. In his spare time, he enjoys time with his partner and their two dogs while working on any number of creative writing endeavors.