Graduate Students Get Focused Writing Help with ARC at TAMIU

The life of a Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) graduate student is often itself a rigorous study in discipline and time management.  Students often continue to hold full-time jobs and have family responsibilities while they pursue their graduate degree.  Having some focused help can go a long way in  achieving the balance they need to succeed.

“Graduate study often means late nights, or early mornings as students try to maintain their life responsibilities while moving forward with their studies.  That’s why at TAMIU we’ve  dedicated funding and resources to provide help targeted at  graduate student success, such as personnel to support graduate-level writing both within courses and for theses.  This level of support can be an absolute help for all graduate students,” said Dr. Jennifer Coronado, dean of the Graduate School. 

For example, Dr. Coronado  said the  outreach efforts of the Graduate School’s Advanced Research and Curriculum (ARC) Program provides graduate students with their own writing consultant, Franco Zamora.

“This is a bold initiative that helps  all graduate students develop into more advanced, productive, and professional writers. Franco leads  free individual- and small-group tutoring sessions, online assistance, peer review/writing sessions, writing and professional workshops, and thesis and dissertation (MA, MS, and PhD) formatting and feedback sessions targeting the TAMIU graduate student,” she explained.

She noted that the Graduate School writing consultant is much like a traditional undergraduate tutor, with an expanded focus on Graduate-level writing expectations and standards.

“Like traditional undergraduate tutors, the Writing Consultant provides guidance with the writing process such as idea development, revision, and editing and refreshers on sentence mechanics and grammar. The distinction comes with guiding graduate students to meet the heightened standards of their graduate faculty and the professional world. Because graduate work is mostly writing and research, the Writing Consultant provides students with opportunities to discuss their research processes, incorporate scholarly sources into their writing, brainstorm research questions, collaborate with experienced writers who share their academic goals, and organize their ongoing thesis writing,” Coronado said.

Zamora, who holds a Master’s degree in English from TAMIU, said that students beginning their program and those formatting their projects are among those he sees as most likely to benefit from ARC services.

“We can offer a great deal of insight to students who are getting started with their program or beginning their writing projects.  We can also be helpful with those who are now formatting those projects.  Most graduate students have likely been away from things like formatting  for citations, for example -- which change constantly and vary between disciplines as well.  One of the challenges of the Pandemic has been allaying student fears that working virtually may reduce the quality or acceptability of their writing.  It does not, ” Zamora noted. 

Among ARC services offered are graduate tutoring sessions, thesis and dissertation support sessions, online assistance, writing and professional workshops, and writing review services. Supportive spaces for study or writing are also available.

A dedicated Thesis Support Group also brings graduate students at all thesis/dissertation writing stages and subject areas together for a guided proofreading, peer review or  just an opportunity to share their experience. Zamora said he believes students have found the Thesis Support Group invaluable.

“I think it’s been an important experience for them as they meet with peers and realize they are not alone in their journey.  While each has  different topics and research, they find that things are not so dissimilar.  They share their own ways to manage stress or time and what habits and skills really can be critical.  We also have students that are online and in different states and time zones, so also having a virtual opportunity for community has been important,” he explained.

Zamora said among the insights he can offer graduate students is the importance of selecting a thesis topic that they are truly passionate about… and seeking out support from all quarters.

“This is a topic that you will likely be writing about for  an extended time…often over a year.  It has to be something that you are absolutely passionate about because you are going to be dedicating a lot of time and energy to this,” he noted.

Zamora has to look no further than his own thesis for his Master’s degree to validate that.           

“My thesis looked at integrating technology and education into First Year Writing Projects.  Now, I’ve extended that passion, that experience, into writing support issues for graduate students.  The issues are similar and hinge on securing support for your passion.  Our faculty, our advisors, the thesis committee…are all critical support agents – but just as critical is the support of colleagues, family, and friends,” he concluded.

ARC’s focused graduate student assistance is part of a suite of services emanating from the ARC Program grant, awarded in 2019 and  totaling over $2.9 million.  It is especially dedicated to advancing opportunities for Hispanic students seeking TAMIU graduate degrees through the Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program.

Services are provided in the Graduate Student Academic Success Center, located in the Anthony J. and Georgia A. Pellegrino Hall, Suite 203.    Office hours are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  After hour sessions can also be scheduled.

For additional information, call 956.326.2477, email writingconsultant@tamiu.edu or visit online at https://www.tamiu.edu/cees/arc/pages/consultation

TAMIU Summer and Fall 2021 Registration is now underway. For detailed registration information, visit: https://go.tamiu.edu/registration21  TAMIU also recently announced its Fall TAMIU Books IncludED program which provides all degree-seeking students with all required textbooks and course materials free of charge -- including graduate and online students.

TAMIU’s Fall 2021 plans are focused on a return to a full and vibrant on-campus experience for all students, faculty and staff at its 300-acre northeast Laredo campus. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 23, 2021.

For more information, contact the Office of the University Registrar at 956.326.2250, email registrar@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the University Success Center, suite 121.