The Dangling Modifier is a national publication produced in association with the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing (NCPTW) and is written for writing tutors by writing tutors. Founded in 1994 at Penn State, the online publication publishes essays, columns, and scholarly research from the writing center community. Penn State peer writing tutors produce the fall issue, and peer tutors from a separate institution guest edit the spring issue. 

Recent Conference Presentations

Peer Writing Tutors and professional staff frequently present their research and pedagogy at national conferences in the writing center community. Select presentations include: 

Parfitt, Elizabeth. “Training A Community Mindset: Transforming Tutor Coursework During Covid 19.” Mid-Atlantic Writing Centers Association, Virtual Conference, March 2021.

Harris, Emily and Jay Mular, Lily Najjar, Elizabeth Parfitt. “Writing Tutor Hacks: Negotiating Knowledge with Free Online Resources.” National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing, Virtual Conference, November 2021.

Fisher, Tabitha and Elizabeth Parfitt. “How WPAs and Writing Tutors Can Recalibrate the Work-Life Balance.” National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing, Virtual Conference, November 2021.

Fisher, Tabitha and Elizabeth Parfitt. "Branding the Herd: Writing Centers and the Need to Norm." National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing, Omaha, Nebraska, October 2022.

Fisher, Tabitha, et al. "Branching Out: Barriers to and Techniques for Extending Your Writing Center Community Across Campuses." International Writing Centers Association Collaborative, Chicago, Illinois, March 2023.

Board Representation

Ysa Fernandez, Undergraduate Student Representative, Mid-Altantic Writing Centers Association (2021-2022)

The Writing Center @ Penn State Learning is a member of the International Writing Centers Association, the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing, and the Mid-Atlantic Writing Centers Association.