Mission Statement
The Writing Center at the American University of Kuwait promotes an understanding of writing as a way of thinking, learning, and teaching. To serve this mission, the AUK Writing Center aims to:

• Cultivate an environment of collaborative inquiry with students seeking help with a variety of writing and reading needs, concerns, and goals.
• Develop students’ understanding of the variety of writing purposes, audiences, genres, and styles.
• Develop students’ strategies for critically reading and engaging with a variety of texts.
• Support students’ efforts in all stages of their writing processes.
• Provide thoughtful and constructive feedback.
• Support faculty efforts to develop and integrate a variety of writing assignments into their courses.
• Provide resources on writing for the entire University community.

History
The Writing Center @ AUK opened its doors on October 10, 2005. Located initially in the Student Success Center, the Writing Center moved into its own space (A207) with 10 computer stations and 6 large conference tables in December of 2005. Two student worker consultants – Fahad Mohammed and Kheiriyeh Ahmadi – joined the faculty consultants that first semester, and a third student consultant – Fatmah Al-Qadfan – added her expertise to the Writing Center consultant staff in the Spring of 2006.

In its first semester of operation, the Writing Center served approximately 21% of AUK students, a major feat, considering that many universities in the US only serve about 10% of the student population. Each semester more students discover the benefits of the Writing Center’s help, increasing the percentage of students we serve to over 25% of the total student population at AUK, from undergraduate seniors to IEP. As demand for our services has increased, we have adapted: currently two full-time and one part-time consultant/administrative assistants are supervising the smooth shift of morning and evening hours. In addition, four student consultants have joined the Writing Center this semester along with two IEP tutors.

In addition to adding evening hours to better serve student needs, we are also using digital record-keeping. Our internet-based software program has enabled students to make appointments for the Writing Center from any computer, on- or off-campus.

We look forward to continually developing to meet the needs of the diverse students at AUK!

James McDougall
Director of the Writing Center
January 2009