Denise Stephenson

Writing Center

As a young woman in her 20s, Denise Stephenson was a social justice activist. Now, as the director of MiraCosta College’s new Writing Center, she feels she has come full circle. “The service component at this kind of job at a community college reminds me of the person I was back then,” says Denise, who came to MiraCosta to launch the Writing Center in 2004 after 13 years of experience directing centers at the University of New Mexico, Grand Valley State University in Michigan and CSU Los Angeles.

The opportunity to start a center was a big draw--and the first year has been “...insanely wonderful,” says Denise, “working at a break-neck pace, not because the institution demands it, but because it’s so exciting.”

Based in the Oceanside Campus Library and Information Hub, the Writing Center hosts workshops, serves up to 50 walk-ins a day, and handles students who have made appointments. Along with trained staff, Denise assists students at all levels: those who have trouble writing a simple sentence, good writers who want to get better, and everybody in between. She is also working on building the Writing Center program that’s been established at the San Elijo Campus Library and Information Hub and establishing Writing Center services at MCC’s Community Learning Center on Mission Avenue.

“Even in our high-tech, high-service world, we write constantly,” says Denise. “Regardless of what our students do their communication skills are vital. The better you are at writing, the more success you can achieve in any work environment.”