The Vanderbilt Writing Studio marked its 20th anniversary Feb. 13 with a reception in the Alumni Hall Reading Room, bringing together students, alumni,听faculty听and staff to celebrate two decades of mentorship,听collaboration听and academic support. The location held special significance: Alumni Hall served as the Writing Studio鈥檚 original home from 2005 to 2015.听
Two decades of impact听
Founded in fall 2005 and holding its first appointments in spring 2006, the Writing Studio has become a central resource for writers across Vanderbilt. Remarks from Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Tiffiny Tung, Writing Studio and Tutoring Services Director John Bradley and Writing Studio alumni highlighted the relationships and learning experiences that have defined the Writing Studio鈥檚 work over the past 20 years.听
Since its founding, the Writing Studio has held more than 76,500 writing consultations, averaging听nearly 4,000听appointments annually and serving close to 1,500 writers each year. Over the past decade,听nearly听10,000听students听have visited the Writing Studio, attending an average of 4.2 sessions. One doctoral student completed 328 consultations over six and a half years, reflecting the Writing Studio鈥檚 role as an ongoing academic partner throughout students鈥� academic journeys.听
More than 340 undergraduate,听graduate听and professional students have served as Writing Consultants over the past 20 years, contributing to the Writing Studio鈥檚 mission while developing skills that shape their academic and professional paths. During the anniversary reception, alumni speakers reflected on how their experiences as consultants continue to influence their careers and communities.听
Angela Karas, BA鈥�20,听JD鈥�24,听who听now works听at a Nashville law firm, shared that her time as a Writing Consultant prepared her for law school by helping her adapt quickly to different writing styles as she transitioned from English coursework to legal writing at Vanderbilt Law School.听
Claire Hanson, BA鈥�21, a current Vanderbilt School of Medicine MD-PhD student, noted that learning to build productive dialogue with a wide range of clients prepared her for medicine, where she must quickly understand and respond to patients鈥� concerns.听
Katelyn Rowan, a current Undergraduate Writing Consultant in the Class of 2027, echoed that sentiment. 鈥淲hen I applied, I wanted to help others with their writing,鈥� Rowan said. 鈥淚听didn鈥檛听realize it would be so transformative for me, too.鈥�听
Supporting writers across disciplines听
Writing Studio consultations support students across disciplines and academic milestones, from first-year essays and course papers to听creative writing, honors theses,听dissertations, Fulbright and听National Science Foundation听applications and professional school admissions.听听
Nearly 250听commemorative pins were distributed during the reception as part of Vanderbilt鈥檚 ongoing Pin Drop听Series to听recognize听the Writing Studio鈥檚 lasting impact on the university community.听
Learn more about the Writing Studio or schedule an appointment at 听
Follow the Writing Studio on听鈥�(@vu_wsts)鈥痜or updates, student stories and upcoming events.
