University of Findlay Graduate Students Attend National Rhetoric Conference

University of Findlay students from the Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing (MARW) are attending the annual Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) in Chicago Feb. 15-18. Students from the program are enjoying four days of workshops, lectures, and panel discussions on various rhetoric and composition topics. This year’s conference is the first face-to-face event in three years.

One of the lucky students attending the event is Edris Afsharkohan. While excited for the opportunity for professional development and the ability to network with other people, Afsharkohan is excited to learn something new. “The field of communication is constantly evolving, and events like the CCCC provide a forum for scholars, teachers, and administrators to exchange ideas and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices,” he said.

As Director of the MARW Program, Christine Tulley, Ph.D. joins her students at the conference. As a professor, Tulley is interested in hearing about new teaching techniques for online students and how to support faculty writers. As a professional in the field, she is excited to reconnect with former MARW students. “Every year, we meet former MARW students who are now in Ph.D. programs. I can continue to support them, while also having them help mentor our current MA students,” Tulley said. Currently, UF has five MARW students that have moved into Ph.D. programs at Case Western Reserve University, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and two at Illinois State University.

When it comes to master’s degree programs, UF stands alone. “We are the only private institution in Ohio offering an MA in Rhetoric and Writing. We have 100% placement rate in Ph.D. programs and in jobs in technical writing, publishing, non-profit work, and social media management,” said Tulley. Afsharkohan is thankful for the faculty in the program saying, “the MARW Program has very supportive and active faculty. They are always encouraging their students to engage with scholarly work, especially the ones that might have long-lasting effects on students’ professional careers.”

For more information on the University of Findlay’s Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing, please visit the program webpage.