What Is WAC?

Previously known as Strategies and Tools Across Fields: Teaching with Writing (STAF), this program has been rebranded as WAC and includes a range of programming designed to support all MSU educators of any level, status, or discipline in developing their writing-related pedagogy. The goals of our WAC programming include:

  • Encouraging participants to make their courses, assignments, and assessments accessible, inclusive, and equitable
  • Designing effective and meaningful writing assignments
  • Scaffolding writing assignments within a semester or across a program’s curriculum
  • Connecting writing and critical thinking
  • Using peer response effectively 
  • Responding to student writing 
  • Developing assessments
  • Teaching discipline-specific genres and citation practices

WAC Programming for Academic Year 2026-2027

WAC Learning Community: Equitable Grading Practices for Writing Assignments

Join the MSU Writing Center in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI) to learn about best practices in the teaching of writing via Zoom.

This series will emphasize that writers should experience writing instruction that develops critical thinking and metacognitive skills so that they can become flexible, confident writers in a variety of contexts (writing across the curriculum) and in their discipline/major (writing in the discipline). However, traditional grading practices undermine equitable pedagogy by shifting attention from learning to performing for a grade, disproportionately harming marginalized students.

In this learning community, we will reflect on participants’ current grading practices for writing assignments in their course(s), read and discuss literature on alternative grading practices, consider what alternative grading options may fit their context, and work toward thoughtful and reflective implementation.

We’ll be reading Grading for Growth and can guarantee the textbook to the first 15 registrants! 

Dates and times (Zoom): 

  • Sept. 11, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Oct. 2, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Oct. 23, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Nov. 13, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Dec. 4, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Feb. 5, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Feb. 26, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Mar. 19, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Apr. 9, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Register for the Learning Community
flyer for the 2026-2027 wac learning community titled equitable grading practices for writing assignments

WAC Workshops

This workshop series is designed to support faculty development of their pedagogy in small ways throughout the semester in preparation for the more comprehensive WAC 4-day Institute. Join us via Zoom for some or all of our 3-part workshop series.

  • Busting Writing Myths: Sept. 17, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Giving Feedback on Student Writing: Oct. 8, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Developing Engaging Assignments: Nov. 5, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Register for a Workshop

WAC 4-day Institute

The Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program at MSU supports all MSU educators in developing their writing-related pedagogy in any level course, in any discipline. Inspired by Engaging Ideas by Bean and Melzer, the institute will introduce fresh insights into the nuances of disciplinary writing, offer practical strategies for designing classes equitably, and build educators’ confidence in crafting engaging assignments and providing impactful feedback.

Dates and times: May 10 through 13, 2027 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Bessey Hall, room 300. 

Questions? email bethsabo@msu.edu

Apply for WAC 4-day Institute
multi-colored graphic detailing WAC 4-day Institute information. Open to all MSU educators in any level course, in any discipline, Engage with fresh insights into the nuances of disciplinary writing, Learn practical strategies for designing classes equitably, Build your confidence in crafting engaging assignments and providing impactful feedback. May 10-13, 2027 from 9am-3pm in Bessey Hall, room 300. Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/ycxc6m9t. questions? email bethsabo@msu.edu