A colonial-style brick building shopfront has a embedded signage reading Gunter-Smith Center for Community Engagement, followed by the York College of Pennsylvania logo.

For Faculty Mentors

Seeking mentors for the 2024 workshop!

To apply to be a mentor:

1. Read the 2024 Call for Participants.
2. Complete the 2024 Naylor Workshop Mentor Form (fillable PDF).
3. Complete the Mentor Interest Survey, uploading the Mentor Form where prompted.

The Naylor Workshop gives undergraduate researchers in the field of Writing Studies the opportunity to better understand the questions our discipline examines, to learn some of the methodologies we use to examine those questions systematically, to gain control of terminology associated with our work, and to find pathways to access previous work by scholars in our discipline. In addition, but equally important, the workshop introduces students to some of the ethical guidelines we have for both our research and our work as literacy advocates.

Part of what we do is introduce students to ways to collect and analyze empirical data—something that does not come naturally to many students in the humanities. We help students to see the value in both qualitative and quantitative studies, why one would choose one over the other, and how both can help lead us to reliable, valid, and replicable information—how to go beyond just lore or narratives about our work.  That is not to say that we do not value theory-based or intuitive ways of looking at our work; it simply means that empirical research need not be at odds with those humanistic impulses.

Student engages with faculty mentor during Naylor Writing Workshop.
Become part of a local network of undergraduate students from varying institutions, including experiences and new undergraduate researchers guided by mentor faculty members at the Naylor Workshop.

What do mentors do?

  • Encourage students to inquire, to focus their questions, and to look for good ways to investigate that question, both through secondary and primary research as they prepare their application.
  • Help them look beyond the obvious and received knowledge to see their question with fresh eyes.
  • Encourage them to seek feedback on their application, from you and other faculty, but also from their peers.
  • Consider attending the Naylor Workshop yourself. We are often able to provide housing, meals and travel funds for mentors to attend the workshop.
Contact Us
Naylor Workshop on Undergraduate Research in Writing Studies
Dominic DelliCarpini, Ph.D.
Naylor Endowed Professor of Writing Studies
Center for Community Engagement
59 E. Market Street, York, PA 17401
Phone: 717.815.1213
naylorworkshop@ycp.edu