Whether you are a freshman or a senior, CSUSM students will all have to take General Education Writing (GEW) 101 before graduating.

In their mission statement, the GEW program says “GEW faculty introduce students to the conventions of academic writing through frequent feedback from instructors and peers, analytical reading of primary and secondary sources and information literacy.”

There are 23 faculty members in the GEW department, and Grace Kessler is one of many professors who have studied at CSUSM before she started teaching here.

Kessler received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Literature & Writing Studies from CSUSM. She started working on campus in spring 2004, teaching her first GEW class.

“GEW values critical thinking and analysis that focuses on a multi-layered writing process. Students are introduced to conventions of academic writing primarily through analytical reading and feedback from both peers and instructors,” said Kessler. “The GEW experience sets an invaluable groundwork for successful academic writing and research necessary for academic and career progressions.”

Kessler said that students need this class, but she thinks it is essential “…because our classes teach and encourage critical thinking, research and a thorough exploration of the writing process. Also, GEW fulfills the English Proficiency Requirement and A2 graduation requirement,” she said.

In addition to having the privilege of educating students on the importance of writing, she also learns from her students.

“Personally, I have learned and appreciated how easily communities can be formed by students organically. I have witnessed an amazing sense of collegiality, understanding, patience and discipline within the majority of my GEW communities of writing. I have learned the essentials of flexibility, patience and challenges,” said Kessler.
Professor Grace Kessler and her team in the GEW department are here to help students not only succeed in their education, but to also be good, strong and credible writers.