The Summer Institute
The WAC Summer Institute (WAC-SI) is an intensive development program designed to:
- Assist new leaders of WAC/WID initiatives in the US and internationally in developing sustainable programs
- Support experienced directors who face new challenges or wish to expand, update, or revitalize their programs
- Enhance the knowledge base for faculty and program coordinators who are developing new WAC/WID initiatives
During the institute, experienced WAC facilitators guide participants toward the application of research-based strategies in developing writing across the curriculum programs. Participants work as a large group, in small groups, and as individuals to apply best practices for developing WAC programs to their own institutional contexts and goals.
Our Last Institute
June 18-20, 2026, at Auburn University in Auburn, AL. The Institute schedule included:
- Optional social events in the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, June 17th
- Two full days of activities with experienced facilitators on Thursday, June 18th, and Friday, June 19th, beginning at 8:30 a.m. both days; and
- A half day of programming on Saturday, June 20th, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Registration
Registration has closed.
Registration was $850 and included participation in all institute sessions, Thursday through Saturday. Registration also covered breakfast, coffee, and snacks on Thursday and Friday and lunch on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Facilitators
The 2026 WAC-SI was facilitated by established WAC scholar-facilitators:
- Dan Melzer, Lead Facilitator: Dan is co-author with Michelle Crow and Jeff Galin of Sustainable WAC: A Whole Systems Approach to Launching and Developing WAC Programs and co-author with John Bean of the 3rd edition of the WAC faculty development book Engaging Ideas. Dan is a professor in the University Writing Program at the University of California, Davis.
- Sherri Craig, Co-Facilitator: Sherri is an assistant professor of Rhetoric and Writing at Virginia Tech where she coordinates Business Writing and teaches courses in writing across the disciplines. Recently she published “Toward More Sustainable Antiracist Practices,” an article in WAC Journal co-written with Jeff Galin and Barclay Barrios.
- Laurie A. Pinkert, Co-Facilitator: Laurie is currently Director of Writing Across the Curriculum at the University of Central Florida and previously supported WAC initiatives in her roles at Cal-Poly Humboldt and Purdue University. Her collaborative work with faculty across the disciplines has been funded by the National Science Foundation, and her recent research has been reported in venues such as Composition Studies, College English, College Composition and Communication as well as various edited collections.
Previous Institute Location and Facilitators:
2024 Summer Institute
Location: University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM
Facilitators: Sherri Craig, Cristyn L. Elder, Dan Melzer, and Laurie A. Pinkert
2022 Summer Institute
Location: University of Georgia in Athens, GA
Facilitators: Chris M. Anson, Cristyn L. Elder, Jeffrey R. Galin, Jamila Kareem, and Alisa Russell
2019 Summer Institute
University of Denver in Denver, CO
Facilitators: Chris M. Anson, Jeffrey R. Galin, Teresa M. Redd, and Alisa Russell
Contact
Email WAC-SI Chair Christopher Basgier at moc.liamg@etutitsnIremmuSCAWA with any questions.

