Diary Entries of a New Hire

Dear Diary,

Well, I now set off to endure college. Classes begin, and I try my best to make friends and adjust to the comforts of this university. However, knowing me, I will stick to my own devices and feel satisfied with only a small group of friends; I simply enjoy life on my own, for the most part. Nonetheless, I will set out to make a few. Another thing: I need a job. I want to make money to save for future expenses as well as for fun things in the present. I completed the student worker application before moving here and am so glad I did. I find my pace of life on the edge of a whirlwind now. I plan on applying to the library, a seemingly enjoyable place to work, and certainly a type of work up my alley. DBU hosts a job fair that I must attend for my foundations class; I suppose I will scour for opportunities there.

Dear Diary,

I applied to the Writing Center! Finding out about the Writing Center (or UWC) through the job fair piqued my interest. Plus, it seems like a brilliant place to work. I picked up an application from their office today, and it looks like a cross between a Hobby Lobby and an eccentric college professor’s office (once again, brilliant). One of my new acquaintances named Gracie also applied to the UWC on my mentioning of it. Perhaps we will work together?

Dear Diary,

I finished my interview! It lasted for about forty-five minutes with an array of thought-provoking questions. When given the opportunity to show off my bullet journal, I did so, perhaps a bit too eagerly. This place seems the habitat of an intriguing crowd; I like it. Now, we wait. Will they hire me? Or will I find myself lost to the trenches of unemployment? Just kidding, but I find myself nervous regardless.

Dear Diary,

I start my first day of work tomorrow! Oh yes, sorry, I forgot to fill you in. They hired me! My parents visited me this weekend for my nineteenth birthday, and now I start this new age working at a writing center. Now, I enter training for the receptionist position, but maybe some day I will move to consultant training, as it sounds intriguing. Oh, and get this: they also hired Gracie! She starts about the same time I do. Though I am filled with excitement, I am also quite nervous.

I love writing and hope to use my time in college wisely to grow my skills. I look forward to finding my footing in this new environment, and I am proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone.

Also, those friends I spoke about a while ago – I think I found a way to procure a few inquisitive acquaintances. Let’s see how this goes.

Written by Kayla

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The Ultimate UWC Character Rundown

Be honest. If you never participated in the rite of passage that is taking a “Which _______ Character Are You?” Buzzfeed quiz, you lie. Something about knowing which fictional character we most emulate remains fascinating to us all.

Here at the UWC, as one might imagine, this question comes up a lot. We compiled a list (albeit open-ended) of characters that resonate with us the most.

Which fictional character resonates with you the most?

Kā Riley:

When thinking about which fictional character reminded me of our director the most, I immediately thought of Marmee March from Louisa May Alcott’s charming novel Little Women. Marmee, known for her kindness and faithful dedication to the ones she loves, guides her family with all the qualities necessary to make a happy and healthy home. Similarly, Kā, the matriarch of our office, guides our little family with poise, kindness, and grace, training us on the value of good servant leadership while simultaneously never forgetting to remind us of her love for each and every one of us.

Deneen Sanchez:

Deneen radiates Elle Woods energy. Similar to Legally Blonde’s bright and bubbly protagonist, Deneen’s infectious personality permeates every inch of our office. Like Elle, she loves pink and always dresses in the cutest outfits. But even more so, Deneen remains a faithful and intelligent friend who doesn’t shy away from a heavy workload and leads with poise and grace. She lights up our office daily—if you happen by room 001 at any point during one of her shifts, stop for a moment to listen to the rambunctious laughter emanating from within. As the Consultant Coordinator, she takes her job very seriously, but knows how to have fun regardless. Somehow, she keeps our office running while simultaneously being a great friend—what, like it’s hard?

Jessica Findley:
Jessica, our senior consultant, gives off a vibe that practically screams Elinor Dashwood—from Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, of course. Elinor, a steady, calm, and reliable friend, harbors a kind and dedicated heart that shows in all areas of her life. She radiates quiet friendliness and always remains studious in all she does. Similarly, Jessica, while studious and hard-working, never withholds a kind word to one who needs it. She provides the sweetest email responses, writes words of encouragement, and keeps at her tasks with obvious dedication. Her love for her job and her colleagues shows up abundantly clear in all she does. The perfect mix of sense and sensibility, Jessica helps lead our office with faithful dedication. Jane Austen would be proud.

Kayla Harper:
Kayla and I tried, one day, to assign each person in the office a Hunger Games character because I told her she reminded me of Katniss Everdeen. While Katniss possess a number of negative qualities that Kayla absolutely does not share, I think if the UWC needed to participate in some sort of DBU-wide Hunger Games, Kayla would win. Both Kayla and Katniss possess large amounts of resourcefulness and wit, and I just know Kayla could find a way to survive on her own in the wild. Katniss and Kayla also retain fiercely loyalty to the ones they love the most, ready to go to battle for them if needed. So, I guess I mean that Kayla might become the UWC’s hope in case of a dystopian novel-type uprising here on campus.

Kaley Crocker:

When thinking about Kaley and to whom she compares, one name came to mind: Mia Thermopolis of The Princess Diaries fame. Both possess an infectiously sweet and bubbly personality while simultaneously courageously sticking to their morals. While Kaley never found herself in line for the throne a of a far-away country (I don’t think), she does demonstrate a dedicated and steady work ethic that tells me she would experience no problems running a kingdom one day. She keeps our office running through detailed, informative information and stellar consultation sessions, and she throws herself into tasks with diligence and dedication, much like our beloved Princess Mia. But Kaley, if you do find out that Julie Andrews shares your family tree, please hit me up; I want to meet her.

Belle Guy:

Belle and I found ourselves in agreement over which character she most resembles: none other than Rapunzel from Disney’s Tangled. Not only does Belle adore the character and the movie, but she and Rapunzel share so many similarities, I would commit a crime if I did not include her on this list. Both Belle and Rapunzel radiate kindness, passion, joy, and not to mention a love of art and creating. If Belle came in with a live chameleon on her shoulder, I wouldn’t even blink an eye; she loves animals. While Rapunzel usually wears purple and Belle yellow, both girls’ sense of style is fun and cheerful. Both also have an affinity for wearing flowers in their hair. I don’t think Belle can heal anyone via her magical glowing hair, but I do know that she possesses all the same qualities that make Rapunzel such a beloved character.

Naomi Hernandez:

Naomi told me that she resonates the most with Lucy Pevensie from C.S. Lewis’s sweeping Christian allegory, The Chronicles of Narnia. She shares Lucy’s sense of wonder and faith, as well as her kind heart and trusting attitude. I couldn’t agree more. She also admires Lucy’s ability to lead at such a young age, which makes sense because Naomi herself remains a great leader too. She always wears a smile, comes in with a positive attitude, and assists others patiently, just like her Narnian counterpart. She remains such a kind and caring addition to our office, and as she herself states, if she found a portal to Narnia, no one would never see her again.  

Rachel Caña:
Rachel reminds me of everyone’s favorite friendly neighborhood superhero—his human alter-ego, Peter Parker, at least. Rachel perfectly encapsulates everything we love about New York’s web-slinging defender: kindness, intelligence, humor, charisma, not to mention savviness with all things technology. I wouldn’t be surprised if she actually revealed herself as a superhero on top of everything else she already does. She embodies Peter’s caring heart as well; as a receptionist, she responds to calls and checks students in, and she does it all with a smile on her face. A friend to all, Rachel fitted in seamlessly with the UWC family and makes it a brighter place daily. I’m not saying the Writing Center runs a very high risk of one of us getting bit by a radioactive spider, but if one of us does, I look at Rachel.

Gayle Badrina:

To whom should I compare Gayle other than Mia from La La Land? Her whimsy and colorful style and her love of stories practically scream Mia. If Gayle did not bless us with her presence, I could definitely see her working in the arts, just like Mia, spending her days immersed in good stories and good company. Gayle’s kind and giving nature match her impeccable style, and I easily imagine her in any part of the movie. She dazzles our office with color, joy, and wit. She belongs in a movie! Our tucked-away little corner of the L.C. certainly becomes a “city of stars” when she clocks into work.

Gracie Hatley:
No other character matches Gracie quite like Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings. Her steadfastness in her work and her loyalty to her friends match up exactly with Frodo’s gentle best friend. Samwise doesn’t have a caffeine addiction, but other than that, their personalities line up so well. Both remain dedicated, hardworking, and kind, and they both care deeply about those closest to them. Gracie never fails to give a sweet word or helpful piece of advice, and her role as chaplain further emphasizes her tender heart and helpful spirit. If you need to bring a magical ring to Mordor, ask Gracie.

Caroline Johnson (me):
I relate a lot to the titular character in Anne of Green Gables. While I have not been sent to live with testy spinster and her tenderhearted brother, and my hair color does not match a carrot’s, I do harbor an overactive imagination and a somewhat restless spirit. Anne possesses a more fearless spirit than me, but she also cares deeply about what matters most to her, and I do, too. She likes to live in her own fabricated worlds and spin whimsical tales, and I do too. If anyone here ever runs away to a beautiful Canadian paradise, I seem the most likely.

So, there you go! The UWC, filled with colorful, vibrant colleagues, provides an incredible showcase of our varied personalities. None of us think exactly alike, and that diversity makes the Writing Center so special. Working alongside these women and experiencing the loveliness of each of their personalities on a weekly basis remain nothing short of a blessing. They possess the very best qualities of the characters to which I compared them, and I think that’s beautiful.

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Written by Caroline

UWC from A-Z: Our Version of the Children’s Classic

We all remember when we learned our ABC’s: A represents Apple, B denotes for Bicycle, and so on until we reach Z. At the Writing Center, we take the alphabet very seriously because without it, we can’t read or write.

For this blog, we compiled a silly, personal version of the classic children’s’ exercise. This adaptation of the ABC’s corresponds to our quirky space we call an office! We hope you like it and that, maybe, it will make you laugh a little. Most of all, we hope you find it intriguing enough to schedule a visit with us!

Apples almost always represent A in the classic ABCs, but we pick APA and amazing for our A. Come to us instead of fighting APA guidelines alone. Active voice also represents A well, and we help people learn how to employ that to make stronger papers.

Books often show up for B in alphabet manuscripts, and most of our staff chose it, too, but we see some variation with bookworm and book-smart. One points out that books cover horizonal surfaces in our space. But another creative voice also tells us that beautiful blogs by our staffers epitomize the letter B. Yet another mentions our very Belle, a booklover just like the Disney princess.

C earned multiple connotations, too. As part of a Christ-centered institution, we cannot forget that His name starts with C. So does consultant, the title of those who help with papers. Caroline also opens with C; our Caroline oversees the entire blog process. Finally, we choose Christmas for our C because we keep pieces of every year alive year round in the UWC!

D symbolizes Director, Deneen (one of the Director’s two right hands), and the diverse decorations of which we overflow into the break room. Come see for yourself!

Expertise works for E, and consultants work hard to gain the expertise to help with papers and formatting. Our receptionists, too, maintain proficiency at the front desk, checking clients in with friendly care. Encourage also fits our E; students often exit our doors feeling like they can write, and they can!

F found a few good words for its letter: faith, format, and flowers. Faith sustains us all always, and we, as an office, faithfully pray for one another. Formats bring frustrated clients to our doors where we relieve that stress with sage advice. Flowers usually brighten our space, and we try to cultivate blooms, too, though we often fail.

Grammar simply must take top spot for G, but we give our G to God, too, because He provides for us, and we look to Him in adoration with grateful hearts. Oh, we cannot forget Gayle, who as our newest consultant, brightens this space. Nor can we fail to mention Gracie, our longest running receptionist, who welcomes clients with a glowing smile.

Homey, hospitality, and handouts all cozy up to the H spot on our list. Our setting feels homey, and our staff offers hospitality to all who enter it. Of course, many students stop by for our helpful handouts, which cover formatting and a plethora of subjects from grammar to idioms to specific assignments and much, much more. Find them on our website (please make “website” a hotlink).

Imagination runs rampant in the Center, so imagine how we can help with your pesky paper.

Jovial joking happens all the time in our office, and we often create inside jokes to bind us closer together. But our Senior Consultant Jessica also stands in for the J, and she absolutely provides the Director a second right hand.

Ks fill the office: Director Kā and consultants Kayla and Kaley bring the full force of K to bear kinetic energy in the UWC. Kindness, too, overflows here, a practice we fully believe matters.

Let’s look at L and see what the staff thinks. Lord starts with L, and Jesus, our Lord, loves us. We know love because He first loved us. Library also begins with L, and our Little Library offers free books for the taking. Take one and leave another, or simply take one. Your choice. Found outside our doors, it only closes when Security locks the building.

MLA takes first place for M, as it should, since many students request assistance with it. But let’s not forget that mint also begins with M, and we always provide mints for students and staff alike.

Nerd, or some form thereof, overwhelmingly won top honors for N. Others noted that noun also begins with N, and we use lots of nouns in writing. Naomi counts, too, as a proper noun; we certainly love her. You will, too, so come for a visit.

O garnered only two words: The Office, our current theme, and owls, our mascot. How many owls reside in the UWC? We don’t know because we never counted them, but if you visit, you can count them for us.

P managed to inspire different thoughts in every mind save two, who both noted the plants we attempt to keep. In fact, the Center holds many plants, and we actually designate a keeper to maintain them

Query and quirky both came to minds as we assembled this list. While the majority of our staff picked quirky to describe us, one pointed out that we answer writing queries for students, staff, and faculty.

Rhetoric describes much of our work, and you can certainly rely on us to help you with your writing concerns. Rachel, too, relies on the R when she signs her name, and we’re glad she joined our ranks because she brings joy along everywhere she goes.

S, like many other letters, gained three representations: sessions, students, and servant hearts. Sessions need students, and students need our servant hearts to welcome them, allay their fears, and provide guidance for their writing concerns.

Turabian pops in for T, reminding us that biblical scholars and some historians prefer this format over all others. However, thesaurus also starts with T, and we highly recommend using one to add variety to writing.

U takes the front position for most words that fit its letter. UWC and University both lead the way because they represent us and our space in the universe. Within the UWC, clients find understanding since we, too, struggle to find the perfect words and recognize the pain they feel. Underrated, too, describes us, as many students never even learn about our services.

V finds identity in value. Discover value added to your education when you learn to communicate more effectively with our services. But also note that we very much value every student who comes our way and uses our skills to his or her benefit.

W shows the welcoming, wonderous, wonderful, windowless, Writing Center, where we often employ Webster’s words right at hand in his dictionary. We also prefer to see papers in Word documents for ease of use, and we publish our own words on WordPress.

X brings us closer to the end of this silliness, and we land on the Xerox machine where we make many copies of handouts to share with clients.

Y fails to stymie us, for we place yellow legal pads on consultation tables. Both clients and consultants utilize them for note taking lest someone need a reminder of content later. Don’t forget, too, that we remain open year-round for any and every semester and class.

Z closes the alphabet and likewise closes our list. Here we offer two opposite ideas: zany and zone. Academically speaking, Lev Vygotsky developed the “Zone of Proximal Development,” meaning, that in our zone, we meet clients where they land in the learning process (Deneen’s class). Lastly, we contend that we and our room appear eclectically zany to many who seek us out.

We hope you enjoyed this alphabet journey and found something that inspires you to come visit us: check out our artwork, get help with a paper, or simply wander in to say hello. Hidden in the deep, not-so-dark recesses of the Collins’ basement, we overlook the vending machine and rest between the elevator and a stairwell. The only office in the belly of the building, we offer Light and clarity on the written word. Stop by today.

Written by: All staff!

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UWC Traditions: A Look into the Culture of Our Office

When people think about traditions, they typically assume the involvement of many individuals and understandably so—traditions normally involve societies, cultures, or other groups of people who share common characteristics or beliefs. Well, the traditions I’m about to share do not derive from a large people group; they come from a small, nerdy staff in the cozy office of the DBU Writing Center.

Despite our size, the traditions we hold connect us in friendship and cultivate a unique familial bond between us. Our office culture consists of some quirky customs, so I don’t want to share just one­—I’ll bless you with five.

• Christmas in July? Even Better: Christmas Year-round!

A common controversy many debate focuses on the proper timing of Christmas celebrations: How early can people start playing Christmas music? When should stores start setting out Christmas decorations? Here’s our solution: Christmas decorations all day, every day! One of our longest traditions stands as keeping one piece of Christmas décor from every year we participate in the Christmas Decoration Contest held for DBU offices. Each time we compete, we host a different theme. In our room, you can find items such as seagulls with Christmas hats hanging from the ceiling (Christmas at the Beach), toy snowmen from a display (An Elf Christmas), and string lights suspended across the ceiling from our latest theme, The Nightmare Before Christmas. Stop by room 001 in the basement of the LC if you’d like to see the full collection!

• Kindness Through Kudos Cards

The Writing Center firmly believes in words of affirmation, and this tradition serves as our way to uplift each other. In our office, a board sits holding a set of pockets labeled for each member of our staff along with a small box with colored cards (kudos cards) in the middle. When a staff member wants to encourage a fellow colleague, congratulate or commend her for one of her tasks, or just generally offer a word of appreciation, one can grab a card from the middle, write the comment down, and place the card in a designated pocket. Each individual can access her cards at any time and see the kind words of fellow colleagues. I love this tradition as it constantly reminds me of the encouraging nature of each individual in this office and further emphasizes the unique community we hold here.

• Employee of the Month: UWC Edition

Our office commends two members each month: Human of the Month and Encourager of the Month. A staff member earns the title of Human of the Month through evaluation of work and character by admin and serves as our way of recognizing each employee when she goes above and beyond. We give the title of Human of the Month rather than Employee of the Month to recognize the accomplishments of the individual beyond the title of “employee.” Encourager of the Month goes to the staff member who writes the most kudos cards for the month; we aim to acknowledge those who take the time to inspire and love our staff well.

• Staff Meeting Agenda in One Hand, a Fork in the Other

We eat food at every staff meeting. Every. Single. One. Whether it’s chips, taco soup, Girl Scout cookies, or popcorn, we always have something to munch on. Talking about office stuff makes us hungry! I don’t think my enjoyment of this tradition needs much explanation.

• The Ultimate Test of Training: The Final Mock

When our consultants train, they follow a pretty extensive checklist. It normally takes a trainee a full semester to complete the required tasks. Once the end of training nears, the consultant-in-training must face a daunting opponent: The Final Mock. Throughout the semester, trainees experience different mock consultations both as a student and consultant to prepare them to take sessions and provide them experience as a client. The Final Mock serves as the last mock for a trainee because of the difficulty it entails. Normally, the consultant-in-training acts as the consultant, a trained consultant observes, and the Senior Consultant or Consultant Coordinator act as the student. A writing consultant faces a variety of challenging situations in sessions, and this mock acts as a simulation of multiple difficult scenarios combined into one consultation. Basically, the Consultant Coordinator (or Senior Consultant) act as a menace. This means they pose different challenges to ensure the trainee serves the proper response. This looks like rolling their eyes or giving a bad attitude during the session, constantly interrupting the consultant, making rude remarks (“Aren’t you supposed to know this stuff?”), and a range of other tactics to stir the pot in the consultation. As the Consultant Coordinator and seasoned facilitator of these mocks, I find them super fun and practical. Honestly, though they often present humor, too; these mocks function as a great opportunity to apply the theories learned in training. It serves as an interactive and cumulative assessment of what people learn as a consultant-in-training, and the discussion afterwards helps our trainees improve and gain insight from experienced consultants. Every employee endures this mock, since receptionists also undergo a form of it but at the front desk rather than at the consultant tables; nonetheless, we collectively bond as a staff in our growth from The Final Mock and over the hilarious moments that resulted from its chaotic execution.

I hope you enjoyed hearing about the traditions of the UWC and learned something new about the culture of our office. Our small, cozy nook in the basement of the LC holds dear sentiment in promoting friendship, familial bonds, and quirky fun. The Writing Center maintains a special place in my heart, and I recommend everyone come visit to meet some exceptional people and experience the extraordinary nature of the environment.

Written by Deneen

Image credit: UWC