Our Mission

The University Writing Center supports writers at George Mason University through one-to-one consultations at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to the final phases of polishing. In these consultations, writers can try out ideas and approaches with a well-trained student staff comprised of attentive readers and listeners from a variety of disciplines. We help writers develop strategies and knowledge that make them stronger writers in the long term. We believe that achieving a strong piece of writing takes time, multiple drafts, and revision, and that the best feedback comes from consultants who listen and ask questions in order to foster a writer’s own curiosity. Writers can expect to leave a consultation with thoughtful feedback to consider, an array of writing strategies to use, and a plan for further developing or revising their project.

We encourage students to take ownership of their writing and to think critically and analytically about their ideas and assumptions. We recognize that, both within and beyond the university environment, many students may feel compelled to make choices about their writing that require them to suppress important aspects of their voice or identity. We freely discuss the root causes of these issues with writers so that they can choose to write in ways that align with their values and fulfill their needs, goals, and intentions.

We believe that all writers at Mason, students and professionals alike, should have access to this support. As such, we work with writers from all backgrounds: experienced and beginning writers; undergraduate and graduate students; native English speakers and multilingual writers; and writers from all disciplines, departments, and professions. We strive to create a space where writers of all genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexualities, ages, abilities, and religions feel welcome.

In service of these ideals we offer the Mason community the following:

  • Supportive and well-trained graduate and undergraduate consultants who are invested in the writing process, as they are experienced writers themselves
  • In-person and online appointment formats to accommodate writers’ scheduling needs
  • Tailored support for multilingual writers, advanced graduate student writers, and writers with disabilities
  • Resources in the form of guides, handbooks, and handouts available in hardcopy or electronically at our website
  • A workplace committed to consultants’ professional development, including education in writing and teaching, mentorship, and opportunities for research and leadership
  • An administrative staff well versed in the current research and practice of writing center pedagogy
  • A dedicated space to write, read, study, and think