2024 MLA Institutes on Reading and Writing Pedagogy
Through the support of the Mellon Foundation and the Social Science Research Council with the National Endowment for the Humanities, 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. Since 2019, the association has organized twelve regional summer institutes, reaching over two hundred participants who either teach at AOIs or who would like to make their teaching careers at them. Through ongoing support from the Mellon Foundation, the MLA will continue this work with four more regional institutes in 2024.
Upon completion of the institute, participants will be eligible to receive the MLA Certificate in Reading-Writing Pedagogy at Access-Oriented Institutions. We encourage graduate students in English and related fields as well as part-time and full-time instructors at access-oriented institutions to consider applying.
2024 Institute Locations and Dates
Corpus Christi, TX, hosted by Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, and Del Mar College: 8–12 July (in-person).
Please review the institute flyer for eligibility requirements and additional information.
Newark, DE, hosted by the University of Delaware: 5 June (virtual) and 10–13 June (in-person).
Please review the institute flyer for eligibility requirements and additional information.
Phoenix, AZ, hosted by Arizona State University and the Maricopa Community College District: 10–14 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: 3–7 June (hybrid).
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 is 15 April 2024.
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.