Auburn University’s Office of University Writing

Founded in 2010, the Office of University Writing works to enhance the culture of writing and writing instruction at Auburn University. We strive to assist Auburn students and faculty in as many ways as possible.

For students, we provide programs, resources, and opportunities such as:

• face to face and online peer consultations through the Miller Writing Center,
• support to graduate students through WriteFest and WriteFest Dissertation and Thesis Bootcamps,
• ePortfolio Student Workshops, and
• internships, graduate assistantships, tutor positions, summer fellowships, and leadership opportunities.

For faculty, we offer:

• in-class workshops and focused presentations to support faculty using writing in their courses,
• individual and group consultations about any writing issues or concerns with teaching writing,
• WriteBites Online  to showcase faculty work with writing and writing instruction,
• WriteBites the Lunch to foster conversations and collaborations about ways to use writing in disciplinary courses,
• Faculty Writing Retreats to promote a community of writers, and
• support to those who join the ePortfolio Project Cohort.

Meet the Office of University Writing Staff

Dr. Margaret Marshall

Margaret Marshall received her PhD from the Joint Program in English and Education at the University of Michigan in 1991. Before joining Auburn in January 2010 as Professor of English and Director of the Office of University Writing she served as Director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Writing Center, as Director of English Composition at the University of Miami, and as Assistant Provost and Associate Director of The Reinvention Center, an organization that grew out of the Boyer Commission Report and works to improve undergraduate education at Research Universities. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya (1976-78), taught English as a Second Language at the University of Colorado’s Economic Institute (1980-82), and developmental reading and ESL at West Texas State University before beginning her PhD studies.

The author of three books and numerous articles, Dr. Marshall’s research and teaching interests include nineteenth century American rhetoric and public discourse, composition theory and pedagogy, teacher education, and history of American education.

 Dr. James Truman

James Truman received his PhD in English from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill after doing his undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He taught in Auburn’s Department of English for many years and won the Instructor Teaching Award from the College of Liberal Arts in 2005. Dr. Truman joined the Miller Writing Center in 2013 after serving as Director of Academic First Year Programs at Huntingdon College, where he received the Winn and Gordon Chappell Academic Enrichment Award in 2012. He spends his spare time with his family, which includes his wife Hilary, two children, three dogs, and a cat. He also plays old-time fiddle and mandolin, which annoys the cat.

 Dr. Lesley Bartlett

Assistant Director of University Writing, ePortfolio Project
3436 RBD Library
(334) 844-7493
lesley.bartlett@auburn.edu

Lesley Bartlett received her PhD in Composition and Rhetoric with a graduate specialization in Women’s and Gender Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2014. Over the last ten years, she has developed and taught courses in composition, rhetorical theory, literature, and women’s and gender studies. Her research interests include composition theory and pedagogy, feminist rhetorical theory, and performance studies. Her work on rhetorical performance strongly influences her work with the ePortfolio Project.