The Jill and Marvin Willis Center for Writing Expands to the MLC

By Kristen Locke

We’re thrilled to announce the expansion of the Jill and Marvin Willis Center for Writing! Thanks to the generous support of Jill and Marvin Willis, the UGA Writing Center now has a new location in MLC 370—a space reimagined and renovated from a traditional classroom into a dynamic, student-centered tutoring environment. This new location enables us to offer both in-person and online writing sessions, creating greater flexibility and accessibility for students across campus. Additionally, appointments are now scheduled through Penji, a user-friendly platform that allows for seamless booking and direct communication between students and writing consultants.

Upon entering MLC 370, students are welcomed with a warm smile at our check-in table and then directed to one of four individual tutoring stations. The space also features a private Zoom booth—fondly referred to by our tutors as “The Cube”—which provides a quiet, comfortable setting for online consultations. Designed with collaboration in mind, the center is bright and inviting, featuring natural light, cozy study nooks, and whiteboards that foster interactivity. Students often engage with our monthly polls and use the walls to brainstorm, map out ideas, or sketch thesis statements. The expanded space has also allowed us to host collaborative workshops from citation assistance and crafting personal statements to themed events like “Writing with James Baldwin.” These gatherings offer students the chance to engage more deeply with writing in a supportive, communal setting.

What truly makes this space special, however, is what happens within its four walls. Here, our tutors work one-on-one with students on a wide range of writing projects, from first-year essays to graduate-level research. Our team of consultants brings diverse academic backgrounds and a wealth of writing experience, enabling us to support students across all disciplines and at every stage of the writing process—whether it's brainstorming, outlining, drafting, or refining final edits. Personally, one of the most rewarding aspects of working at the Writing Center is building ongoing relationships with students who return throughout their academic journeys. Witnessing their growth—improved confidence, stronger writing, and deeper engagement with the process—is a testament not only to our collaborative work but, more importantly, to their dedication, curiosity, and willingness to grow.

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with students at this vibrant new location in the heart of campus. The Jill and Marvin Willis Center for Writing at MLC 370 is more than just a tutoring space! It's a hub for learning, collaboration, and transformation through writing.