The Center for Writing and Academic Success (CWAS)
Saybrook University’s Center for Writing and Academic Success serves students by assisting them in developing their writing process and instructing them in using the tools and resources necessary to be self-sufficient writers in their academic studies and beyond.
Saybrook's Center for Writing and Academic Success (CWAS) provides students direct access to individualized writing support through our writing coaches, dissertation finalization editing, and APA and ESL support. Writing coaches engage students in diverse strategies for effectively conveying ideas in addition to supporting critical thinking and providing research writing resources. In addition, writing coaches guide students in learning conventional and innovative techniques of academic writing and communication.
Please contact
[email protected] with your questions.
We want you to utilize these resources so you can be at your best! We are continuously thinking of ways to ensure you have the resources you need. We remain committed to your learning and success.
oNE-on-oNE wRITING sUPPORT
Turnitin Trial Submission
Saybrook's Turnitin Trial Submission is housed within the CWAS canvas shell. For more information on Turnitin, please see our page “Turnitin Policy and Plagiarism Overview."
Drop-in Hours
Drop-in hours are best used for quick questions about writing or the resources available through the Center for Writing and Academic Success. Individuals with questions that require further support should schedule an appointment with one of our writing coaches.
WHEN: Tuesdays from 4-5:30pm and Thursdays from 11am-12:30pm (Pacific Time)
Events
The Center for Writing and Academic Success periodically hosts writing workshops, panels, and other events. Announcements are sent to Saybrook email domains. Recordings of previous events and their supporing matterials are housed in the CWAS Canvas shell.
Saybrook Handbook of Format and Style for Dissertations, Theses, Projects, and Capstones
It is recommended that all students download a copy of this document to use as a reference. The handbook may be downloaded here: 
Handbook of Format and Style (2020)
Meet the CWAS Team!
Peter Fontaine, Director of the CWAS
Peter has been with Saybrook since January of 2018. In addition to founding the Center for Writing and Academic Success, he has been a writing center administrator and a postdoctoral fellow at Georgia Tech, and an adjunct instructor of English at Georgia State University and UNLV. He holds degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing and has worked in writing centers for nearly twenty years. A California native, he is living in the San Francisco Bay Area for the first time since joining Saybrook. He's a capital-N Nerd when it comes to video games, books, chess, and movies. He also enjoys baking and taking his dog Astor for walks outside (masked, of course).
Christina Quirong, Assistant Director of the CWAS
Christina joined the Center's team in August of 2020 as the Assistant Director. Christina holds a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics from University of Massachusetts. Prior to working at Saybrook, Christina primarily worked as an English language instructor. While going to grad school, she also gained experience working with neurodiverse student populations. Christina is an avid pet-lover and currently has two cats, Luna and Ezio. In her free time, Christina enjoys going for walks, playing video games, baking, and spending time with her family.
Allison Wall, Dissertation Finalization Editor
Allison started at Saybrook in January 2020. She has a Master's of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Hamline University. With over 10 years of experience working in writing centers, as well as experience teaching writing to learners of all ages, Allison enjoys collaborating with students in the dissertation finalization process to help make sure their passion and years of hard work enter the world with excellence. Getting to read brand-new research on a wide variety of topics is a fantastic bonus; Allison loves reading in general, and also spends time writing, talking with friends, consuming and overanalyzing stories in all forms, and parenting her cat Sybbie.
Danelle Woodman, Writing Coach
Danelle has been working with the Center for Writing and Academic Success since 2021. She joined the team with four years of experience as an English teacher and tutor. She is currently completing her MA in Transformative Social Change while working for the Amplifier Foundation as an education consultant and grant writer. As a writing coach, Danelle structures her session with kindness, understanding, and a dash of honesty. She aims to find the solution and best way to navigate her client's writing practice in a fun, interactive way. In her free time, Danelle enjoys writing poetry and participating in Kickboxing classes.