The Collaborative for Multilingual Writing and Research (CMWR) was founded to develop UCWbL initiatives that better reflect DePaul’s growing multilingual community. The CMWR values the individual perspectives of all writers and promotes greater recognition of different linguistic backgrounds in the classroom. We work to complement the goals and day-to-day efforts of DePaul programs and offices that interact with the multilingual writing community. Through forging new partnerships and strengthening existing ones, we provide a space for all members of DePaul’s multilingual writing community to collaborate on writing projects and primary research, to further their language skills through conversation and workshops, and to share their experiences with a wider audience.
Who We Are
The Collaborative for Multilingual Writing and Research, from left to right: Jasmine Pacheco, Lisa Lenoir, Laura Friddle, Marvin Song, and Ali Dechancie.
Jasmine Pacheco is a second-year MAWRD student and a Graduate Assistant in the UCWbL. She received her B.A. in English with a Professional Writing concentration from Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. She has experience tutoring students at all levels and abilities at other writing centers, and she also speaks Spanish and enjoys reading and writing creative nonfiction. After graduating, Jasmine is interested in obtaining a Ph. D. and ultimately would like to work with multilingual writers and teach writing at the university level.
Lisa Lenoir s a writer, editor, and educator. She currently works as an instructor at Columbia College Chicago in the AEMM and Fashion Studies department, where she teaches “Writing for Managers” and “Styling Principles in Fashion.” In addition, she provides freelance writing and editing services to a variety of clients in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Currently, she is completing her Master’s of Science degree in International Public Service at DePaul University.
Laura Friddle is originally from Kentucky but has lived in Chicago for four years. She has an M.A. in Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse and is an instructor in DePaul’s First-Year Writing Program. Laura first began working at the University Center for Writing-based Learning as a Graduate Assistant in the Writing Center where she worked as a tutor and Office Manager. She is now the Coordinator for the Collaborative for Multilingual Writing and Research. She enjoys helping students learn how to use writing as a tool for thinking and discovering as well as how to adapt to the conventions of academic writing. Laura is studying Spanish at DePaul.
Zhiwen “Marvin” Song is a second year graduate student in the Master of Science Accounting program at DePaul. He received his B.A in English with a minor in Finance at Chinese Shandong Economic University. As an international student, he can speak fluent Chinese. The initial experience of studying at the University of Minnesota during his junior year encouraged him to research various aspects of culture shock, through which he has learned a lot about how to deal with international students’ puzzles when they first come to the United States.
Ali Dechancie is a junior double-majoring in International Studies and Anthropology, with a minor in Spanish. Through her work at the UCWbL she has worked closely with students from DePaul’s SNL program, and she also particularly enjoys working with ESL students.
Get Involved!
If you like what you see below, you can find us on facebook – “like” our page to get updated on our activities.
Book Club
The book club explores one novel each quarter and meets on Fridays in the Loop on a weekly basis. It is fun and informal and offers an opportunity to look at how the book works from a literary, social, and cultural perspective. For information about this quarter’s book club selection and schedule, see our Events page or email the CMWR.
Conversations and Culture
This weekly informal gathering provides an opportunity to discuss writing, language, and culture. This group includes international students, CMWR members, UCWbL tutors, ELA faculty, and other members of the DePaul community. If you are interested in attending a Friday Forum, see our Events page or e-mail the CMWR.
Conversation Partners
The Writing Center, in conjunction with the Collaborative for Multilingual Writing and Research, is now offering English-language-learners the chance to meet with a Conversation Partner! During an appointment with a Conversation Partner, instead of working on a text, you simply have a conversation to improve your fluency in the English language. When you schedule an appointment at the Writing Center to meet with a Conversation Partner, select the Conversation Partner option in the appointment log or inform a front desk receptionist.
Walk & Talks
These quarterly cultural excursions will take CMWR participants to various Chicago locations and events, providing a unique opportunity for members of the multilingual writing community to explore the city in a relaxed, social setting. To receive more information about this quarter’s Walk & Talk see our Events page or e-mail the CMWR.
Workshops
A CMWR team member will lead these 2-hour sessions on ELL specific writing-based issues. Single Session Workshops are offered two times per quarter. For information about this quarter’s Workshops, see our Events page or e-mail the CMWR.
Our Publications
The Page
Every quarter the CMWR releases The Page, our newsletter that informs you about our recent and upcoming events, conferences, projects, and more.
Current Issue
Archived Issues
[column size=”1-2″ last=”0″ style=”0″]Autumn 2010: Volume 1, Issue 1 
Winter 2011: Volume 1, Issue 2 [/column]
[column size=”1-2″ last=”1″ style=”0″] Spring 2011: Volume 1, Issue 3
Autumn 2011: Volume 2, Issue 2 [/column]
Global Voices
Global Voices is a publication that showcases a variety of texts authored by members of DePaul’s multilingual writing community that explore multilingualism in its many forms and contribute to the conversation about the value and implications of multilingualism.
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Current Issue:
Issue 2, 2011-2012
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Previous Issue:
Issue 1, 2010-2011
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