2023 MLA Institutes on Reading and Writing Pedagogy
Through the support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the MLA has hosted regional summer institutes to strengthen the teaching of reading and writing at access-oriented institutions (AOIs)—community colleges and other colleges that prioritize access over selectivity in admissions. Between 2019 and 2022, the association organized eight regional summer institutes for those who teach at AOIs and those who would like to make their teaching careers at them. Through the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Social Science Research Council, the MLA will continue this work with four more regional institutes in 2023, with continued support from the Mellon Foundation.
Upon completion of the institute, participants will be eligible to receive the MLA Certificate in Reading-Writing Pedagogy at Access-Oriented Institutions. We encourage doctoral students in English and related fields as well as part-time and full-time instructors at access-oriented institutions to consider applying.
2023 Institute Locations and Dates
Birmingham, AL, hosted by the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and Jefferson State Community College: 14 July (virtual), 19–21 July (in-person), and 28 July (virtual).
Please review the institute flyer for eligibility requirements and additional information.
Fairfax, VA, hosted by George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College: 26–30 June (in-person).
Please review the institute flyer for eligibility requirements and additional information.
Salt Lake City, UT, hosted by the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College: 5–9 June (hybrid).
Please review the institute flyer for eligibility requirements and additional information.
Waltham, MA, hosted by Brandeis University and Middlesex Community College: 26–30 June (in-person).
Please review the institute flyer for eligibility requirements and additional information.
Purposes and Outcomes of Participation
The institutes
- provide new and future faculty members with an understanding of the needs and circumstances of students at AOIs, who are primarily first-generation college students, Pell Grant recipients, and students of color;
- provide new and future faculty members with intensive training in pedagogical theory and practices for the teaching of writing and reading together to improve writing instruction at AOIs and to nurture the study of the humanities and social sciences in vocational and transfer-oriented educational settings;
- develop strategies for locally sustaining the collaborations started by the institutes;
- renew conversation in the profession about relationships among literature, composition, the humanities, and other disciplines; and
- build stronger connections between introductory writing courses and upper-level courses.
Criteria for Application
The deadline for applications has passed.
Applications for participation in the regional institutes will be accepted from doctoral students in English and related fields and from part-time and full-time instructors at access-oriented institutions, especially community colleges, within a specified geographic area of the host institution. Please see each host flyer (linked above) for specific eligibility information.
Applications must be submitted through Interfolio and should include
1. Letter of application (no more than two single-spaced pages); indicate which institute you are applying to and address at least two of the following:
- Why are you interested in participating in this institute? How will learning about access-oriented institutions help you achieve your career goals?
- What teaching experience, if any, do you have? What pedagogical topics would you like to learn more about and why?
- For those with teaching experience, what are the key dilemmas that you have faced in teaching students to read and write in your courses? How have you attempted to address these dilemmas?
- What essential questions about the teaching of reading and writing continue to shape your approach to teaching, and how might they be related to issues of access in higher education?
- How would you like this institute to help you address current issues of access on your campus?
2. CV
Questions about the institutes and application process should be directed to Mai Hunt at mhunt@mla.org.