English faculty garners national recognition for book chapter
September 7, 2023Work highlights AWC’s efforts to reform placement assessment during pandemic
Yuma, AZ (September 7, 2023) – Arizona Western College English faculty received national recognition for co-authoring a chapter featured in a book that earned the “Best Book Award for 2022” from the Council of Writing Program Administrators. Professors awarded for their work during the council’s annual conference included:
• Dr. Sarah Snyder, Professor of English/Administrator of Writing Program and Writing Intensive Curriculum
• Dr. Sara Amani, Professor of Multilingual Composition/Specialist
• Kevin Kato, Professor of English
When asked about the recognition, the trio collectively shared, “We are truly honored to have received the Council of Writing Program Administrators’ national award for the 'Best Book' of the year, which included our chapter outlining innovations in placement for students at AWC.”
Titled, Community College Online Directed Self-Placement During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the book chapter highlights AWC’s work to reform writing placement assessment. The faculty members shared about an online directed self-placement tool implemented by staff and the effect that it had on the placement of students. The chapter was included in the book, Writing Placement in Two-Year Colleges: The Pursuit of Equity in Postsecondary Education, which brings together two-year college teacher-scholar-activists from across the U.S. to share stories, strategies, and data about local efforts at reforming writing placement assessment to advance educational access and equity.
“At the beginning of the pandemic, a common writing placement tool became unavailable, which allowed AWC to create an alternative method for writing placement. Our book chapter celebrates the collaborative and innovative efforts of AWC faculty, administration, and staff to develop a tool that helps students navigate choosing the writing class that they are most likely to succeed in. We have seen some promising results for students with the new placement tool,” the group said.
“Through this chapter, AWC has been put on the map as a national leader in writing placement. We, along with our fellow contributors, hope the book and our chapter continue to highlight the important work that two-year colleges do for our communities and champion the needs of our diverse student body.”
AWC Vice President of Learning Services Kathleen Iudicello commented that the publication of this chapter will provide an opportunity for the work of the college to be shared with other two-year colleges nationwide.
“The fantastic work of Dr. Snyder, Dr. Amani, Professor Kato, and their colleagues will benefit higher education institutions across the country looking for different approaches in the important area of writing placement. The pursuit of equity is always worth study and publication,” she said.
Contact:
Dr. Sarah Snyder
Professor of English/Administrator of Writing Program & Writing Intensive Curriculum
Arizona Western College
Sarah.Snyder@azwestern.edu
928-344-7639
Contact:
Dr. Sara Amani
Professor of Multilingual Composition/Specialist
Arizona Western College
Sara.Amani@azwestern.edu
928-344-7503
Contact:
Kevin Kato
Professor of English
Arizona Western College
Kevin.Kato@azwestern.edu
928-314-9567