Helping Faculty Reach Their Writing Goals

Every semester, the FCTL partners with faculty facilitators to offer Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs), communities of practice that invite MSU faculty members to engage in scholarship on a stated topic. Most FLCs are offered only for one or two semesters, but two long-standing FLCs have taken on a life of their own to become established writing programs with recurring members across multiple years.

These faculty writing programs, Faculty Writing Retreats and the Wednesday Faculty Writing Circle, provide opportunities for MSU faculty to participate in structured groups centered around community, scholarly productivity, and writing. Both groups were created and are facilitated by Dr. Nicole West, Associate Professor in the School of Special Education, Leadership, and Professional Studies. The Faculty Writing Retreats and Wednesday Faculty Writing Circle follow the mandate and structure of all FLCs, and are communities of practice with stated goals and participation outlines that can be found on the homepages for each program.

For faculty members searching for a way to establish dedicated writing time in their busy schedules, the faculty writing programs are indispensible. These groups not only provide a structure for ensuring faculty members are able to prioritize their writing pursuits for a set amount of time each month, but also a space to find assistance from peers and cultivate the interdepartmental relationships that are vital to creating a sense of belonging on campus.

Both groups in the Faculty Writing Programs meet on a different schedule and focus on different aspects of scholarly writing. Visit the homepage for Faculty Writing Retreats or the Wednesday Writing Circle to learn more about each writing program and how you can sign-up to join either group.