NACADA > Resources > Research Center

SUPPORT FOR WRITERS

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As the scope of the advising profession grows and deepens, individual advisors will be increasingly expected to conduct research. The research process remains, for many of us, a mysterious process that we are reticent to embrace. While we long to contribute to the growth of academic advising as a profession, we struggle with the practical methodology to do so. Academic advisers are consummate practitioners, but translating this significant work into research and writing that "composes our profession" often remains a distant goal.

The "Writer's Support Initiative" of the NACADA Research Center was created to provide all levels of support for the research and writing that become the composition of our profession, ensuring its stability and application across the higher education community. Whether you have only a vague idea of how you may contribute to the discipline of academic advising or a completed research study that you have yet to translate into a journal article, we will walk with you through the process of joining the conversation of research and writing in our profession.

Writing Philosophy

Volunteer to be a Peer Mentor

"As a practiced writer, I would like to serve as a peer mentor to my advising colleagues looking for support and feedback on their research and writing."

SIGNUP FORM

Writing Support Groups

Connecting with other writers across the advising profession will allow you: to receive valuable and worthwhile feedback, to gain insight into the research and writing process of your colleagues, to maintain accountability so that you make sufficient progress on your projects, and to learn about significant ideas across our profession.

Using ZOOM (a virtual meeting platform), we will organize groups according to your needs within the writing process. Choose a group that fits your place in the process, sign up, and we'll contact you to organize a time that works for you and your colleagues who are at a similar place in the research and writing process. Groups will be autonomous and can plan subsequent meetings and regularity based on the group's needs.

Signup for the 2020-21 academic year is open through August 15, 2020. Complete this form to sign up.

Groups will run from September 14, 2020 - June 30, 2021.

Description of groups:

- Group 1: Idea Generation

“As a practicing academic advisor (primary role or faculty), I see the need for research and writing that deepens my engagement with the profession. I’d like to meet with a virtual writing group to discuss ideas and how my unique experience could be transformed into a journal article or research study.”

- Group 2: Idea Development

“As a practicing academic advisor (primary role or faculty), I have an idea I would like to share with my colleagues or that I think would make a great research study. I’d like to meet with a virtual writing group to discuss with my colleagues how I can take my idea and move it forward effectively.”

- Group 3: Drafting and Revising

“As a primary role or faculty advisor, I have an initial draft of a journal article or research study, and I need feedback. I would like to meet with a virtual writing group of my colleagues to gain critical feedback on what I’ve written and developed thus far.”

- One-on-One Writing Consultation

“My situation is unique at the moment and not described in the other three groups. I’d like to be paired with a writing consultant for a one-on-one virtual meeting to discuss the status of my project or other issue related to research.”

Please email Rhonda Dean-Kyncl at rkyncl@ou.edu to arrange a single consultation session or for questions about the NACADA Writing Group Initiative.

NACADA Coordinator of Writer Support

Dr. Rhonda Dean-Kyncl received both her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in Composition, Rhetoric, and Literacy. She also has an M.S. degree in Technology and Business from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. She currently serves as the Associate Dean for Students in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Oklahoma, where she oversees academic advising for the university’s largest (approx. 10,000 students) and most diverse college. She also oversees the college’s Withrow Leadership Scholars program. She also teaches English Composition I and 2, Writing for the Medical Fields, as well as a Capstone course for the college.

Dean-Kyncl has been a student and staff member at OU for over 13 years. In the past, she has served as a Graduate Writing Fellow at the University of Oklahoma Writing Center, as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the English Department, as an instructor of Gateway to College Learning and a first-year seminar, “Finding Your Self at OU.” In addition, Dr. Kyncl spent 17 months teaching ESL at the West Africa Advanced School of Theology in Lome, Togo, West Africa.

Dean-Kyncl’s husband, David, is also a staff member at OU as an adviser and recruiter in the OU College of Architecture. They have two children: Mary and Jonathan.

Scholarly Writing Videos

For helpful hints about the writing and reviewing process see our videos here.