Dr. Linda Hirsch, English Professor, is a seasoned expert and pioneer in Writing Across the Curriculum at Hostos.
Hostos Community College is thrilled to share that Dr. Linda Hirsch, Ph.D., has been recognized as a Distinguished Fellow by the Association for Writing Across the Curriculum (AWAC). This prestigious honor is awarded to scholars who have made significant contributions to the field of Writing Across the Curriculum through their scholarship, service, and impact. Dr. Hirsch, an English Professor and Director of the Liberal Arts and Sciences degree at Hostos, received this prestigious award during the International Writing Across the Curriculum (IWAC) Conference held in Colorado this July, marking a notable moment in her career and for the entire Hostos community.
“We are all so incredibly proud of Professor Linda Hirsch,” said Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis. “Her tireless work supporting the fundamental principles of learning has been a boon to our students, and has helped the College to be even more effective in delivering quality, life-changing education to the community. We are so grateful for her contributions and celebrate her recognition and success. Brava!”
"I am particularly proud to represent Hostos, and it is a tremendous honor to be the only CUNY recipient to have ever received this award," Dr. Hirsch reflected.
As a seasoned expert and pioneer in Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) at the College, Dr. Hirsch's recognition carries special weight, especially considering her role spearheading the initiative at Hostos since its implementation across CUNY in 1999. Being the first CUNY WAC coordinator to receive this accolade, she sees it as a testament to the collaborative work done at Hostos. "We've been able to do innovative work with writing and reading here at Hostos because of ongoing institutional and faculty support, and I think that's really helped us move forward in the field,” she shared.
The WAC initiative at the College is unique, as it integrates both writing and reading into all areas of study, including First Year Seminars. This comprehensive approach ensures that writing is not confined to a select number of courses but is an essential component of the educational experience, underscoring the fundamental role of writing as a skill that is essential across the curriculum. Since its establishment at Hostos, the WAC initiative has evolved to continuously meet the diverse needs of students, currently offering over 180 writing-intensive sections, including specialized courses for ESL learners. This expansion aims to enhance writing proficiency among students in their primary language, highlighting a commitment to fostering practical communication skills.
Looking ahead, Dr. Hirsch emphasized the importance of cultivating a culture that values reading and writing, especially in an era dominated by artificial intelligence. "It seems to me that those students who are the more proficient readers and writers would be better able to take advantage of AI and use it for purposes that have value for them," she explained.
Dr. Hirsch was nominated for the distinguished award by Chris Thaiss, a prominent figure in the WAC community and 2021 Distinguished Fellow, reflecting her longstanding and impactful history within the program and beyond. The recognition joins a growing list of accolades that Dr. Hirsch has garnered throughout her career. In addition to being a recognized authority on Writing Across the Curriculum and literacy development, Dr. Hirsch is the producer and host of EdCast, an award-winning program on CUNY TV, and has contributed as a content consultant for PBS's acclaimed series, Ghostwriter. She is also the recipient of the 2023 Hostos Community College Presidential Medal of Honor for Outstanding Faculty Member and the 2005 NISOD Excellence Award. The co-founder and former President of the CUNY Writing Centers Association, as well as former President of the CUNY ESL Council, she currently conducts WAC professional development workshops for faculty and Writing Fellows both within CUNY and at various educational institutions, further contributing to the growth and evolution of writing education.
We applaud Dr. Hirsch on this latest achievement and her ongoing dedication to championing writing across the curriculum at Hostos and beyond.