AWA Student Spotlight: Ashley Hill

The Writing Center’s Administrative Writing Assistants (AWAs) are at the front line of the writingsupport@waldenu.edu inbox, performing necessary tasks to make the Writing Center run smoothly. Writing Center AWAs are an integral part of the Writing Center as they communicate regularly with students. But, the AWAs are also Walden students, and thus integral to Walden University itself. That’s why we’d like to share some of their stories of academic success, professional accomplishment, social change work, and advice for other Walden students. In this spotlight series, we show our appreciation for all their hard work so that others can be inspired by their stories as well.   

Today's spotlight is on Ashley Hill, a student in the College of Health Sciences. 

   
Originally from Ohio, Ashley now lives in Georgia after traveling around bit. As a graduate of Walden’s Masters in Public Health program, Ashley continued her education by enrolling in Walden’s PhD program in Public Health, specializing in Epidemiology; she currently scheduled her final oral defense. After graduation, she plans to teach and work in the field of infectious disease. Committed to Walden’s social change mission, Ashley is interested in public health for social change—health issues such as the growing issue of opioid dependency, the Zika virus, violence against women, and necrotizing fasciitis (the focus of her dissertation). As a single mother, Ashley balances working on her doctorate degree, spending time with her daughter, and volunteering for emergency preparedness for a local public health district in central Georgia. We asked Ashley some questions about her work as an AWA and tips she has for writers.

Walden University Writing Center (WUWC):What do you enjoy about your AWA work? 

Ashley Hill (AH): I enjoy the plethora of activities we do as AWA’s, but I enjoy helping students in any small way the most. 

WUWC: What are the most common questions you find in the writingsupport@waldenu.edu in box and what feedback do you provide regarding these questions? 

AH: Common questions sent to the writingsupport@waldenu.edu inbox are often questions about referencing specific sources (i.e. journals, books, or websites). For the best understanding, I refer students to the common reference examples, institutional reports, and webpage references. 

WUWC: How have you struggled as a writer and how have you overcome that struggle? 

AH: I had an issue with anthropomorphism and as I work on my dissertation, I’ve experienced issues with writing concisely. I think learning about what writing issue patterns may arise in your writing is the first step towards revising. Second, I found help from peers, dissertation workshops, and my family to improve my writing. 

WUWC: What writing (drafting, revising, editing) tips do you have for other students? 

Ashley's family

AH: I think first making a schedule for yourself once you are in your dissertation capstone is a big element that helps you stay on track. Next, setting aside days to write and other days to revise and edit is helpful as well. Additionally, finding help in any way is a great way to stay focused— whether it is family that reads over your pages, colleagues, the Writing Center--having a couple helpful people outside your committee keeps things going smoothly. 

WUWC: What Writing Center resource(s) have you used that you found helpful, and why? 

AH: There are quite a bit of resources at the Writing Center that are helpful. As I mention previously, the reference list pages but also outlining, templates, tables and figures, paper reviews (if you are working on course work, the premise, or prospectus), [Academic Skills Center] workshops (if you are working on your dissertation), and so much more. 

WUWC: As a Walden student yourself, what academic advice would you give other Walden students? 

AH: Listen to your professors and allow them to guide you. In my experience, there were an endless number of great professors at Walden. Additionally, use the resources available—the Writing Center, Career Services, Center for Research Quality, and any other sources. There are some universities that do not offer this amount of help so be grateful Walden has these resources. 

Ashley celebrated her three year anniversary as an AWA this past April, and we have been greatly privileged to have her as part of our Writing Center—for the Writing Center, AWA’s such as Ashley are a valuable part of our Writing Center support team. 

The Walden Writing Center provides information and assistance to students with services like live chat, webinars, course visits, paper reviews, podcasts, modules, and the writing center webpages. Through these services they provide students assistance with APA, scholarly writing, and help students gain skills and confidence to enhance their scholarly work. Students can email WritingSupport@waldenu.edu and expect a reply from one of our expert AWAs.

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