Our Mission
The Writing in the Disciplines and Across the Curriculum (WIDAC) program at CCBC recognizes that globalization and recent advances in technology increase the demand for more proficient writing and communication skills in all academic disciplines, vocational programs, and the workplace. Writing, critical thinking, and lifelong learning are inextricably linked, complex processes, and the WIDAC program aims to provide a forum where the college unites to support one another by exchanging pedagogical strategies and promoting practices which emphasize both the value of writing to learn and the use of writing as an essential teaching tool. WIDAC reinforces the College’s mission statement to serve our diverse community by empowering and liberating student voices and increasing their efficacy across borders, boundaries, and worlds.
About WIDAC
The WIDAC program consists of a leadership council and several committees. We are a service-oriented group of faculty and staff members who act to facilitate and support faculty and students with issues and goals related to implementing writing in the disciplines and programs, and writing across the curriculum and other professional college and work-force communities. We host conferences and support presentations by faculty members who concentrate on topics and issues relevant to writing, critical thinking, and research skills; we provide forums where faculty can meet to exchange assignment ideas and best practices; and we seek to collect and disseminate useful information and expectations to students. There are numerous ways to support the College’s writing initiative, from classroom practices to resource collection and dissemination to student support and beyond.
The Steering Team was formed and is led by faculty and staff members from a variety of departments and programs at CCBC. We do not consider ourselves to be authorities or experts in all areas of writing, research, and critical thinking: the philosophy of WIDAC supports the belief that each practitioner in a given field or discipline is the one who is knowledgeable about the specifics and parameters of these topics. We do not seek to mandate or implement specific assignments or classroom strategies; we do not object to the academic freedom of each instructor. Our goal is to improve our students’ skills and academic experiences —a common goal shared by the CCBC community.
Current Members
David Maylish, Associate Professor of Teacher Education, and WIDAC Director
Dr. Maylish began his career in Cecil County where he taught high school Language Arts for 12 years. He also taught composition classes at Cecil College and US History in Australia for three years. He currently teaches in the Teacher Education department at CCBC and chairs the WIDAC committee which advocates for writing in all the disciplines. When not teaching, he enjoys spending time with his daughter and taking care of her pet menagerie.
James Braman, Associate Professor – Computer Science / Information Technology
Dr. Braman primarily teaches programming courses for CSIT. He encourages writing and research in his courses and promotes student research projects within the department.
Nina Brown, Associate Professor - Anthropology
Dr. Brown teaches writing intensive courses in sociology and anthropology with a focus on information literacy in the social sciences.
Jeremy Caplan, Assistant Professor - Communication Arts
Jeremy Caplan teaches courses in Mass Communication and Communication Studies. He has worked full-time at CCBC for over 10 years and is also The Faculty Advisor for the student newspaper, "The CCBC Connection."
J. Cassidy Chesnut, Associate Professor - CCBC Libraries
Professor Chesnut taught English at CCBC for six years before returning to the college as a Reference & Instruction Librarian. He has been at the college In his current capacity for seventeen years. Coupling his love of writing with teaching Information Literacy, Professor Chesnut functions as a "teaching librarian" who has a passion for working with students and faculty alike. No question is too small and no assignment too complex not to be untangled!
Jennifer Pemberton, Professor - Human Services Counseling
Dr. Pemberton, Professor of Human Services Counseling, has worked actively with WIDAC since 2008. She values the use of writing as a pedagogical tool to promote deep learning and understanding. Jennifer incorporates a number of writing assignments in her courses that range from more traditional papers to creative projects.
Megan Schutte, Associate Professor - English and Director of CCBC Writing and Literacy Centers
Professor Schutte started at CCBC in 2002. Since then, she has taught a variety of courses including English 052, 101, and 102; literature by women; business communications; and women's studies. She also directs all five of the CCBC Writing and Literacy Centers. She is currently working on her PhD in Higher Education Administration.
Sherry Tucker, Assistant Professor - Communication Arts
Professor Tucker is a faculty member in the Communication Arts Department on the Catonsville campus and teaches classes in communication studies and mass communication. Tucker completed the Writing Fellows program and is a member of the WID/AC committee.
Avery E. Williams, Assistant Professor, Academic Literacy & English 101
Professor Williams began working as a full time professor in the Reading department of SOLA in 2010. He currently teaches Academic Literacy, Accelerated Learning, and English 101 courses, primarily on the Catonsville campus.