Recently-opened Writing Center, Communications Lab to benefit RLC students

INA, Ill. (Sept. 4, 2013) - Rend Lake College students needing an extra opinion on their class paper or speech now have the option to visit the Writing Center or Communications Lab throughout the week for tips and suggestions from experienced staff.

Dean of Liberal Arts Henry Leeck said there has been a need for more than just tutoring for students on campus. The idea evolved into a space dedicated to the written and spoken word.

“We identified the need for tutoring, especially in writing and communication, and we found that professionals in those areas needed to be available throughout the day to help our students,” said Leeck. “The Communications Lab and Writing Center have posted hours when students can drop in or make an appointment to visit.”


A TIME FOR REVIEW - Rend Lake College Track and Field athlete Jeremy
Johnson (RIGHT) works on an English paper in the Writing Center with
Director Kelsey Landis (LEFT). The Writing Center and Communications Lab,
both new additions to the RLC campus, are housed in the North Oasis
rooms 138 and 125 respectively. To set up an appointment, or to ask a
quick question, email the Writing Center at writing_center@rlc.edu or
the Communications Lab at comm_lab@rlc.edu. Click on the image for
a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

Leeck added that students needed more help in writing; therefore the Writing Center will be open 47 hours per week. The Communications Lab will be open approximately 24 hours per week.

“Students can now come in no matter what stage they’re on, from brainstorming on what they want to write about through the editing process,” said Leeck. “While editing isn’t the main focus of the Writing Center, it can be done. The real goal is to be a part of the writing process with the student.”

Two staff members, Kelsey Landis and Bill Robinson, will be available in the Writing Center each week. Robinson is an adjunct English instructor at RLC and Landis is finishing a Master’s Degree in English from DePaul University.

As for the Communications Lab, Leeck said the focus will be on helping students through the process of individual or group presentations.

“It can be any part of that process as well, from choosing a topic and outlining the speech to the final tweaks and presentation itself,” he said.

RLC adjunct Speech and BusinessInstructor Dana Uhls will be working in the Communications Lab this semester.

To set up an appointment, or to ask a quick question, email the Writing Center at writing_center@rlc.edu or the Communications Lab at comm_lab@rlc.edu. Students can also connect with the Writing Center on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rlcwritingcenter.

Below is the list of days and times for each site. The Writing Center is located in the North Oasis Room 138 and the Communications Lab is in Room 125.