Beyond the Writing Center: Abbie Patchen ’24

Abbie Patchen '24 is a Juris Doctor (JD) candidate at the University of North Carolina School of Law. While at Oberlin, Abbie pursued a minor in Writing & Communication, and was involved with the Writing Associates program, where students assist their peers through writing advice and tutoring. Recently, her work was published within the scholarly publishing collaborative WAC Clearinghouse-work that began as an assignment for Teaching and Tutoring Writing Across the Disciplines, taught by Professor of Writing and Communication Laurie Hovell McMillin. Here, she reflects on how her Oberlin courses and professors shaped her approach to learning and writing.

Walk me through how you became so passionate about writing and tutoring. What sparked this interest?

I had always felt confident in my writing ability, even through the first few years at Oberlin. However, eventually I felt like I hit a plateau. I was not moving towards the more advanced quality of writing expected in my more challenging classes. I was fortunate to be in a class taught by Robert S. Danforth Professor of History and Professor of Comparative American Studies and Africana Studies Renee Romano, and she offered to provide me with in-depth feedback on my writing. Her outside perspective gave me new insights into concrete steps I could take to make improvements. After implementing those insights, I felt my writing progress faster than it had in years. Collaborating with someone else was invaluable to my writing journey, and I wanted to provide that kind of support for other students.

What was your experience like as a Writing Associate at Oberlin?

I joined the program in the fall of 2023. I spent the first semester working in the Writing Center. This was a great experience, and I quickly had to apply the skills I was learning in Teaching and Tutoring Writing Across the Disciplines, the required course for the program. I really enjoyed the variety of assignments and figuring out how to adapt to each student's needs. Every shift was eventful or provided a new opportunity for growth. In the spring semester, I was a Course Writing Associate for Assistant Professor of Politics Ali Masood's seminar on the U.S. Supreme Court. I had previously taken the course and was able to apply my disciplinary knowledge to help students who were writing their required research papers. These different positions gave me experience in both breadth and depth.

Were there any classes and/or mentors at Oberlin that helped shape or guide your philosophy or path?

Teaching and Tutoring Writing has had the biggest impact on how I approach learning to this day. I had only taken one class in the Writing and Communication department before my senior year, and this course quickly pushed me into the depths of the discipline. I suddenly became uncomfortable with my writing process, which caused me to take a step back and reevaluate how I approached learning from all other aspects. While the first few weeks in the Writing Center felt rocky, and at times in my other classes I struggled to write short papers, I eventually pushed through the discomfort and found a new level. I am a more well-rounded learner because of the program. I knew I would experience a similar discomfort as I started law school this fall, but I also had a new confidence in my ability to thrive in unfamiliar learning environments. Because of my experience with the Writing Associate program, I believe I approach my current coursework in a way that sets me apart from other law students.

What was the experience like writing the article in WAC Clearinghouse and getting it published?

My original piece was part of my final project for Teaching and Tutoring Writing. I responded to one of the pieces we had covered about the emerging use of artificial intelligence (AI) and how other institutions were implementing it in their writing centers. Professor Laurie Hovell McMillin encouraged me to find a way to share that piece with a broader audience. She recommended WAC Clearinghouse, which publishes a Tutor's Column. Since submitting my initial proposal in December and publishing it in October, my piece was completely transformed with the help of the wonderful editors at WLN: A Journal for Writing Center Scholarship-the specific journal where my piece was published. The current form of my article is intended to serve as a reminder of the valuable role tutors serve for students and the intangible qualities they have to offer compared to AI. I am incredibly proud to have worked through this process and to be able to share the values of the Oberlin Writing Associate program with the greater Writing Center community.

If you could give one piece of advice to students right now, what would it be?

Go to the Writing Center! It is an incredible resource readily available for you, staffed with capable, eager students. Wherever you are in your writing journey, there is always room for growth, and learning how to communicate effectively is an invaluable skill, no matter what you plan to do after Oberlin.

How did your Oberlin experience lead you towards your current endeavor - pursuing a Juris Doctor?

Even before Oberlin, my plan was always to go to law school right after graduation. However, I do think the learning experience at Oberlin has uniquely prepared me for my JD. I have already been exposed to new ways of thinking and learned to keep an open mind about all of it while maintaining a critical lens. I believe this will allow me to maintain my values, shaped by my Oberlin experience, as I go through my career in this new field.

Passionate about writing and communication? Join Oberlin's Communications Studies program and turn your ideas into influence.