Writing Center Fellowship Program

Fellow Testimonials 

"[Becoming a UMB Writing Center Fellow] reshaped my perspective on my future career by highlighting the value of communication and adaptability in professional settings. My time in the Center has been such a valuable supplement to my education here at UMB. The ability to foster inclusive discourse while supporting writers aligns with my future work."

- Former Fellow, UMB School of Social Work

"The Fellowship training not only prepares us to consult with student writers, but also broadens our horizons as lifelong learners. Another great aspect is the interprofessional component. With the Writing Center, I was able to work alongside talented colleagues in other programs and meet people from other schools. This was an important supplement to my own learning and I enjoyed meeting people from other schools."

- Former Fellow, UMB School of Law

"The collaborative and reflective nature of Writing Center work has also made me value community-driven roles, where I can facilitate dialogue and learning. I aim to be a lifelong learner in my profession."

- Former Fellow, UMB School of Pharmacy

Details

Fellows tutor graduate writers, including those writers enrolled in programs designated as undergraduate, online and on-site at University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Writing Center in downtown Baltimore.

The Fellowship begins in early September 2026.

The award amount ranges between $1500-$3000 per semester, depending on your weekly commitment. 

The application will be open from March-early August, 2026.

Purpose 

Meaningful learning through human-to-human relationships 

Established and emergent technologies such as online learning platforms and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) have increasingly shaped graduate writers’ experiences.

The Fellowship leverages the best of these innovations to create and sustain meaningful person-to-person support for all UMB writers, many of whom want graduate school experiences that enhance and sustain meaningful human connection and learning. 

Accessibility and intentionality 

The Fellowship makes graduate-level academic practice more accessible for all UMB student writers. 

Writing support offered by the Fellowship focuses on the lived experiences of graduate student writers. Every student experiences writing differently and some students may disproportionately labor to acclimate to and work within graduate academic culture. 

In response, the Fellowship serves as a virtual and offline site for students to come together, learn to talk about advanced disciplinary writing, and tailor writing strategies to each student’s circumstances and needs. 

Outcomes

Fellows participate in rigorous professional development to learn how to …

• Provide meaningful feedback on graduate student writing
  
  
• Guide students through analysis of model texts–such as journal articles, course papers, and dissertations–to learn writing strategy and style
  
  
• Lead real-time interactions with writers that foster trust, understanding, and writing expertise
  
  
• Translate tutoring practices to future employment as educators who will mentor and teach at the graduate and undergraduate levels. 

Responsibilities

Under the supervision and direction of the Writing Center Director and Associate Director, UMB Writing Center Fellows perform the following duties:

• Consult one-to-one with UMB student writers on a regular, weekly schedule of hours. Provide  individual feedback to UMB student writers during 45-minute long consultations online and in-person in the Writing Center.
  
  
• Learn and apply the writing consultation approaches presented in all Writing Center professional development sessions.
  
  
• Complete preparation for professional development sessions when present for consultation in the Writing Center and, if needed, during time outside of these regularly scheduled hours.
  
  
• In the first year of the Fellowship, complete all preparatory reading and activities for the  Baltimore Writing Center Project (BWCP) and attend all BWCP sessions held every two weeks from October-early May. 
  
  
• Complete all preparatory reading and activities for monthly all-staff meetings, and attend all-staff meetings to collaborate on adjustments and improvements to writing center practice.
  
  
• Develop digital and non-digital writing resources for use by UMB student writers and Writing Center Fellows.
  
  
• Participate in collaborative efforts to create and deliver writing-related conference presentations, workshops, peer review sessions for academic courses, campus outreach initiatives, and other community- and public-facing projects.
  
  
• Complete other responsibilities as assigned. 

Location and Hours

Fellows meet with writers in-person and online, synchronous and asynchronously. Most these consultations are held in-person in the Writing Center located in the SMC Campus Center, but options for remote consultations are possible on a case-by-case basis.

Typical consultation hours in the Writing Center are Monday-Friday, 10AM-5PM. Evening (5-8pm) and weekend (Saturday 11-4pm) hours are available. The Center is open during the fall and spring semesters, with limited hours during January and over the summer. 

Commitment

Most Fellows in their first year of the Fellowship consult with graduate writers for 3-5 hours per week. Fellows can expand those hours in the second year, depending on preparedness, need, and availability.  

Fellows commit to the Fellowship for at least one (1) full academic year. Required professional development sessions may take place on weekends, and most sessions are remote, except for a three-day, all-day intensive training held in person in early September. 

First-year Fellows can expect to spend approximately 3 hours per week preparing for and/or attending professional development sessions.

Applicant Eligibility 

Apply if you are currently enrolled full-time in a UMB or UMBC graduate and professional programs. 

Before applying, students labeled as “international” by their university and who have graduate assistantships should consult on their eligibility with Fellowship director, James Wright at james.wright@umaryland.edu.

Before applying, students not residing in the Baltimore area should also consult on their eligibility with James Wright.

Award Notice

Writing Center Fellows receive a stipend during the fall and spring semesters based on their consultation hours and primary responsibilities. Fellows must check with their institution’s financial aid office to determine any necessary changes to their financial aid award. 

The award will be applied to Fellows’ financial aid accounts at UMB and UMBC at the midpoint and final weeks of each semester. The award will be distributed in the form of either a refund or a reduction of loans. This distribution method is determined by UMB’s Office of Student Financial Assistance. 

The Writing Center has no role or influence over the distribution method of this award. The award is not automatically renewable after each semester or year.  

Do not apply if you plan to graduate in Fall 2026.

UMB APPLICANTS: Apply Here!

UMBC APPLICANTS: Apply Here!