Dear Members of the University of Miami Community:
Welcome to the Department of Writing Studies! As the department’s inaugural Chairperson, I have the distinct privilege of leading a unit that is both dynamic and futures-focused regarding the study and practice of writing.
Founded in 2022, we are a vibrant academic department, dedicated to exploring how writing contributes to an ever-evolving world. Our collective goal is clear: to use writing as a powerful tool to make positive change, whether it's through conducting research, making and circulating impactful texts, or inspiring our students to become agents of change themselves. At the heart of our mission is our role as intellectual leaders in writing, rhetoric, technology, and the Humanities.
As a unit, our mission is deeply rooted in our core departmental values of care, community, and culture. Our values aren't just aspirational; they actively shape the courses we offer, the research and creative work we share, and how we approach our daily work together as a department. Our values guide our curriculum, inform our approach to mentoring students, and define our interactions, ensuring that every endeavor reflects our commitment to intellectual rigor and student success.
To our students, we offer innovative classes that will equip you with essential communication skills for any career path you choose. To our faculty, we provide a collaborative environment for teaching and scholarly growth. To our university colleagues and public stakeholders, we are a vital partner in advancing the University of Miami’s mission of “Transforming lives through education, research, innovation, and service” through the practice of writing.
We invite you to explore our department, learn more about our dynamic faculty, and discover how we are shaping the future of writing at the U! And of course, we look forward to working with you to use writing to make a meaningful difference in the world.
Sincerely,
Ben Lauren
