Our Mission

The University Center for Writing-based Learning promotes the development of writers, writing instruction, written texts, and the use of writing as a powerful and ubiquitous modality of and for learning. Grounded in the belief that language in general, and writing specifically, shapes and sustains democratic processes, the members of the University Center for Writing-based Learning community believe writing is an important means for an individual's participation in democracy in that writing promotes learning, critical inquiry, self-development, and refection through continual revision. We are committed to DePaul University’s shared vision to "focus the entire university community on student learning and success," its dedication to academic rigor, and its mission to promote personalism through appreciation of the "dignity of each person." As such, we collaborate with writers from all disciplines, backgrounds, levels of expertise, and roles within the University community. Our goal is to help develop better writers along with better writing. Because we recognize the diversity of our community members in terms of not only their locations but their preferred ways of learning, we use all media of communication for collaboration. As we interact with individuals within the University Center for Writing-based Learning, the University, academic professions, and our global community, we aim to foster a commitment to peer tutoring, teaching, service, and scholarly and creative activities.

Our History

In 2006, DePaul University established the University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL) to help DePaul increase academic rigor, a central goal of the University in strategic plan Vision2012. The Writing Center—then in existence for over 30 years—was brought under the umbrella of the UCWbL, alongside new initiatives focused on promoting effective writing instruction and written communication.

The UCWbL is part of the Office of Academic Affairs and includes 5 central programs: The Writing Center, The Writing Fellows Program,Workshops, The Collaborative for Multilingual Writing & Research, and Outreach.

The UCWbL plays a crucial role in DePaul’s current strategic plan, Vision 2018, providing programs and support that help to "focus the entire university community on student learning and success" (Objective 1a, p. 3) and "enhance faculty development as teachers" (p. 3).