WORD Studio Mission, Vision, Values, & Learning Goals

The WORD Studio empowers students to become confident, effective communicators while developing peer tutors as skilled educators and campus leaders. Through one-on-one tutoring in Writing, Oral Communication, Reading, and Design, we create an inclusive space grounded in linguistic justice, peer learning, empowerment, and empathy. Our trained undergraduate tutors support the whole student—honoring diverse linguistic backgrounds, fostering critical thinking, and building communication skills that extend far beyond individual assignments.

We envision a campus community where all students feel empowered to express themselves authentically and effectively, where linguistic diversity is celebrated as a strength, and where peer educators develop the professional skills, cultural responsiveness, and leadership abilities they need to create positive change in their academic, professional, and civic lives.

The WORD Studio’s Core Values were revised in spring 2024 by WORD Studio tutors. 

(Linguistic) Justice. We are an explicitly anti-oppressive space. We are trained to see how oppression—especially linguistic racism and sexist and ableist language—operates in our space and how to transform our space more inclusive one.  By “linguistic racism,” we mean racism based on the language or language variety a person speaks (for example, African American Vernacular English or Spanglish). We believe that all languages are equal, and the racism that speakers and writers of color experience based on their linguistic variety cannot be eliminated by eliminating that variety; rather, racism itself must be eliminated. Additionally, we strive to help others become aware of their linguistic choices by pointing out racist, biased, sexist, or ableist language in their writing and speaking. To learn more about linguistic justice, see this list of resources.

Peer Learning. We believe in the positive impact of peer learning. This is why all of our tutors are undergraduates themselves.  Peers can be excellent resources for each other, and the WORD Studio puts this educational theory into practice. Our peer tutors are trained in peer learning to provide reciprocal and scaffolded learning experiences in the WORD Studio. 

Empowerment. We don’t just work on the paper or speech in front of us; we work with the writer behind the paper and the speaker behind the speech. We support students to make decisions as writers and speakers to build their autonomy and maintain their personal voice.  Our goal is for students to leave the tutorial feeling empowered to apply what they’ve learned to future assignments—and beyond.

Empathy. We are a staff trained in the emotional dimension of learning: We understand that learning new skills is as much an emotional process as it is cognitive.  All of our instruction is informed by emotional intelligence so we can support the whole student.

Effective and Ethical Communication

Tutors will develop skills to communicate clearly, actively listen, and adapt their communication style across multiple modalities (written, oral, and visual) while understanding audience, context, and impact.

• Provide clear, constructive feedback on student writing and presentations
• Demonstrate active listening skills to understand student needs and concerns
• Adapt communication style to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds and at multiple academic levels
• Communicate professionally in one-on-one sessions, staff meetings, and campus leadership roles

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Tutors will develop skills to quickly assess complex tutoring situations, analyze student needs, and make informed decisions to guide productive learning experiences.

• Identify and prioritize student needs within the constraints of assignment requirements, time, and student skill level
• Analyze and evaluate student work for accuracy, relevance, and effectiveness
• Integrate knowledge of writing and speaking principles with understanding of individual student contexts to make real-time tutoring decisions
• Navigate challenges such as unclear assignment expectations, conflicting feedback, and time constraints

Inter-Cultural Engagement and Linguistic Justice

Tutors will develop skills to work effectively and inclusively with students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds while actively promoting linguistic justice.

• Critically reflect on their own beliefs and values regarding language, communication, and academic expectations
• Understand and respect the linguistic varieties and cultural communication styles that students bring to the WORD Studio
• Employ cultural responsiveness in academic and tutoring contexts, recognizing that all languages and dialects are equal
• Identify and address racist, biased, sexist, or ableist language in student work while maintaining respect for student voice and agency

Self-Awareness and Self-Discovery

Tutors will develop emotional intelligence and self-awareness to support both their own growth and their students' learning processes.

• Identify and articulate their own emotions and responses during challenging tutoring situations
• Recognize their strengths and areas for growth as communicators and educators
• Demonstrate resilience when facing difficult sessions or student challenges
• Maintain awareness of personal well-being and seek support when needed

Professionalism and Integrity

Tutors will demonstrate leadership, accountability, and integrity while developing skills for purposeful post-college life.

• Demonstrate personal accountability and reliability in scheduling, preparation, and follow-through
• Complete tutoring responsibilities and professional development activities to high standards
• Develop leadership skills through mentoring newer tutors, facilitating workshops, and representing the WORD Studio at campus events
• Behave honestly and with integrity in all interactions with students, staff, and campus community members

The WORD Studio acknowledges that the land currently occupied by St. Lawrence University is the traditional territory of the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka, or Mohawk, Nation of the Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois, Confederacy, who have sought respectful and reciprocal relationships with the land since time immemorial. We understand that no statement will ever live up to or make up for the violence, trauma, and systemic oppression that these communities have faced and continue to face. We understand that this work is never officially done and must always be evolving and persisting, as our relationships with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy can always grow stronger. As such, this statement will be under constant revision as this work continues. Let us work to move forward in, as well as teach, justice.