Assistant Directorships and Internships

Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition Assistant Directorships (ADs) for CCR doctoral students are offered based on program needs and plans. They usually carry one annual course release per position, although they may be compensated by stipends instead. ADs are expected to average 5 hours per week on their positions during the academic year, starting at the beginning of the fall semester and ending around May 15, although the amount of hours per week may vary based on the agreements worked out between the supervisor and intern. ADs are expected to file a mid-and end-of-year report with the Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition Chair about their accomplishments as an Assistant Director. If students do not complete their hours during the academic year, they will be expected to carry them over and complete them in the summer.

The Assistant Directorships are supervised by the individual area supervisors and also by the Chair of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition. The AD is responsible for tracking hours and making sure that he/she fulfills all duties and obligations associated with the internship.

Late in the spring semester or early in the summer, the Chair of the Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition will send out an email specifying available AD positions and calling for interested CCR students to apply. The date of release for this information may depend on budget negotiations and program needs, so students should be aware that this is a dynamic process that depends quite a bit on budgetary and program situations that cannot always be predicted well in advance.

In the application, students should explain why they are interested in the position and what qualifications, interests, and skill sets they bring to the work. It is useful for the applicants to talk to the appropriate supervisor and also to recent ADs, although applicants should keep in mind that because the positions vary from year to year, the duties associated with positions also vary from year to year.

Applicants should be in good academic standing and not have outstanding incompletes. Graduate students who do not have TAships but who work as PWIs are also eligible to apply for these positions. While the department tries to rotate AD assignments as much as possible, it is possible to be appointed to an AD position for more than one year. In some cases, positions do go unfilled when there are no applications or no one suitable for the role.

The Chair of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition in conjunction with the specific area supervisor will select the ADs. The Director of Graduate Studies will be asked for feedback about the students’ degree progress. Applicants will be notified about whether or not they received an Assistant Directorship by August 1st at the latest. A list of those who are serving as ADs is announced on the CCR listserv by the start of the fall semester.

Some of these positions are long-term, and others are offered on a one-year basis according to department needs. Typical positions may include, but are not limited to:

Assistant Director of TA Education: The Assistant Director of Teacher Education mentors new teachers (MFA and CCR); assists with teaching WRT 601 during August and the fall semester; reviews course materials; leads mentoring sessions in the spring; and observes new teacher's classrooms.  This internship is particularly useful for those seeking to gain TA training experience.

Assistant Director of WAC: The Assistant Director of WAC is a one-year position in support of the department’s Writing Across the Curriculum initiatives, including the WAC Faculty Fellows program. The Assistant Director will collaborate with the Director of WAC to create and facilitate workshops, develop tools and resources, visit classes, support the development of antiracist writing instruction and assessment practices, and help faculty across the College implement effective strategies to teach writing and fulfill their learning objectives.

 Assistant Director of the Writing Center: The Assistant Director of the Writing Center works with the WC Director to implement the Writing Center’s strategic plan by developing best practices for consultants, strengthening the Center’s relationships with the Writing Program and larger University, and maintaining the Center’s virtual and physical space. This position is particularly useful for those seeking to gain WC leadership experience.

Other internships may include journal/publication intern, graduate program intern, community partner intern, or others that might arise with department needs.