By Fatima Salinas
Emma Hutchingson, a fourth-year College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student majoring in criminology and pursuing a minor in psychology, didn’t anticipate adding a writing certificate to her coursework.
“After meeting with my academic advisor and chatting about my love for proofreading my friends’ papers, I followed their suggestion and added the writing certificate to my degree,” said Hutchingson, who has been part of the Magid Center for Writing for three years.
“Initially, it felt like a random choice; I wasn’t interested in studying English or becoming a writer. I am happy to say this notion was extremely inaccurate. Today, I understand that writing is an essential practice necessary for all professional careers.”
Founded in 2011, and part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The Magid Center for Writing is home to six different writing programs. Additionally, the Magid Center oversees several student literary publications including, Boundless, earthwords, Fools Magazine, Ink Lit Mag, the Iowa Chapbook Prize, Wilder Things, and Venus Magazine. These publications are all led by students and seek student submissions.
Daniel Khalastchi, Magid Center for Writing director and advisor for the certificate in writing, emphasized the center's role in providing writing opportunities for students. Khalastchi has been part of the program since its inception.
The Magid Center also supports the Iowa Writers Living-Learning Community and is home to the Iowa Youth Writing Project, the Iowa Young Writers' Studio, and the Iowa Summer Writing Festival.
Magid also offers a certificate in writing, which is available both on campus and online, allowing students on campus, as well as non-traditional students continuing education, to access it. The writing certificate can be tied to any area of study or any major to complement a student’s academic focus.
The certificate requires students to take seven writing-based courses to earn a credential, showing they have the skills to be a writer professionally, creatively, or academically.
Furthermore, the center offers a program known as the Iowa Writers' Room, a professionally oriented program that prepares students to enter a career in television writing.
Hutchingson said she enjoys being part of the Magid Center because of the accessibility it provides, in addition to the supportive staff who work there.
“I always walk away from advising appointments feeling like I am a priority,” Hutchingson said.
Hutchingson said Magid has brought her many opportunities and that the skills she is learning will prepare her for any career imaginable.
“I believe that the writing program at Iowa has fundamentally changed my personal and professional writing process, and I hope that more students consider pursuing a certificate in writing, no matter their career goals,” Hutchingson added.