The Independent Writing Departments and Programs Association (IWDPA) represents departments and programs that explore the production of written and digital communication, engage in the study of writers. and the activity of writing. It welcomes all types of freestanding academic units: departments, programs, and centers.
Its goals are to:
Represent a diverse and geographically dispersed body of independent writing programs and departments.
Foster communication among independent writing programs and departments.
Investigate, clarify, and communicate the needs and interests of independent writing programs and departments.
Promote collaboration among independent writing programs and departments in defining outcomes, generating research, and developing best practices for teaching and administration.
Build and nurture alliances between independent writing programs and departments and related programs such as first year experience, Writing Centers, and WAC/WID.
Support the growth of independent writing departments and programs by assisting those interested in creating such units in their home institutions.
Investigate and promote discussion of and collaboration among undergraduate majors in writing and rhetoric.
View the IWDPA constitution.
Want to join the IWDPA listserv? Subscribe here.
Who are We
The IWDPA’s Executive Board and Executive Committee are elected positions that run for three years. Elections and nominations are announced and organized via the IWDPA’s listserv. If you’d like to be added to the listserv, select Contact Us from this website, and send us your information.
Current Executive Committee
| Office | Name | Institution |
| President (2024-26) | Denise Comer | Duke University |
| Vice President (2024-26) | Colin Charlton | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
| Interim Secretary (2024-25) | Alice Myatt | University of Mississippi |
| Exec Bd Member (2024-26) | Rebecca Babcock | University of Texas Permian Basin |
| Exec Bd Member (2024-26) | Hannah Davis | Duke University |
| Past President | Sue Pagnac | Central College |
| Past President | Jan Rieman | University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Prior Executive Board (by term)
| Name | Institution | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Laurie A. Pinkert | U of Central Florida | 2017 – 2020 |
| Justin Everett | University of the Sciences | 2018 – 2021 |
| Keri Franklin | Missouri State U | 2018 – 2021 |
| Cynthia Nahrwold | U of Arkansas at Little Rock | 2018 – 2021 |
| Anne-Marie Womack | Tulane U | 2018 – 2021 |
| Carey Clark | U of Central Arkansas | 2019 – 2022 |
| Denise Comer | Duke U | 2019 – 2022 |
| Caroline Dadas | Montclair State U | 2019 – 2022 |
| Jen Talbot | U of Central Arkansas | 2019 – 2022 |
Secretary
Abhi Rao Iowa State University 2018–2020
Web Designer
Lauren Malone
Iowas State University 2018 – 2020
Emeritus Members
In 2019, the IWDPA Executive Board approved the status of an Emeritus Member in order to recognize outstanding contributions to the association. Emeritus Members are members for life.
2019
Barry Maid
Arizona State University
