Taking the Right Path with Write-Link Community Connection

Once a year, for one week, EMU students, faculty and expert professionals come together to prepare at-risk high school students for their college career in an intensive, pre-professional writing program called Write-Link Community Connections.

Since its inception in 2003, over 100 EMU students, 80 faculty and field experts have helped over 80 high school students prepare for their higher education. For many, Write-Link is the first contact with college and in fact, many Write-Link alumni are now successful students at EMU.

The strength of Write-Link Community Connections lies in its utilization of all aspects of the university to live up to its creed by putting Education First.

The program, which centers around four areas of professional writing: Journalism, public relations, creative writing and technical communications, gives students the possibility to improve their writing and critical thinking skills through hands-on assignments, which will lead to a pre-professional writing portfolio.

So, what does a typical Write-link day look like?

The day begins at 9 a.m., with presentations and lectures by university faculty and field experts in the day's chosen writing area, followed by lunch and hands-on assignments in the afternoon.
 
One of those field experts is EMU alum and Wayne State graduate student Tatiana Grant, who taught participants about the ins and outs of writing for Public Relations.

"I have participated in Write-Link for two years and keep coming back, because seeing that I can empower these children to fulfill their dreams is so rewarding," Tatiana said. "At 24, I have achieved a lot, and the students see they can do the same, if not greater."

Looking at Tatiana's resume, it comes as no surprise that she is an inspiration for program participants. Her career has taken her from internships for Court TV in New York City, to a position as government and external affairs assistant for the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee and that is just the beginning.

Tatiana, who currently has entrepreneurial intentions of opening her own customizable date planning service, has learned invaluable skills during her time as brand marketing and strategic communications coordinator for Palace Sports and Entertainment.

It was while working for the Palace, that Tatiana gave her inspiring presentation to Write-Link students.

"I spoke about the importance of internships, having a go-getter attitude, being aggressive and knowing that you can attain whatever you want," Tatiana said. "Plus I brought the NBA and WNBA Championship trophies, so no wonder I was a success."

Jokes aside, Tatiana sees a special importance in Write-Links effort to provide opportunities to students they may not have in their high school environment. There is an emphasis of collaboration and team work achieved by dividing the students' days into structured lectures and talks by professionals such as Tatiana, followed by individual, or group activities based on the information they learned during the morning.

"Teaching students the value of team work is advantageous as it is key in today's business environment," Tatiana said about the synergetic benefits of a program that unites many different forces to maximize the impact on students.

So far Write-Link has prepared high school students for a successful college career and the challenges of the real world through sessions for Detroit, Ypsilanti and Jackson area high school students.

(The program will be held in Flint in the summer of 2009. For more information visit emich.edu/writelink or contact Program Director Melissa Motschall at mmotschall@emich.edu or 734.487.3172.)