WAC Symposium 2025: AI, Assessment, and Meaningful Writing
WAC Antiracist Fellows introduce themselves during our symposium session.
In early August, 16 participants joined the WAC Symposium, both in person and online, to share strategies for integrating AI, designing meaningful writing assignment, and creating inclusive approaches to assessment.
Building a Cross-Disciplinary Conversation
Our two-day WAC Symposium (August 7–8, 2025) brought together faculty and staff from across disciplines. We highlight and are grateful for the work of our 24-25 Antiracist Faculty Fellows cohort, Carissa DiCindio, Linda Hollis, Mónica Ramirez-Andreotta, Xavier Segura, and Li Xu. We also thank Grace Aroz-Moscoso for sharing her assignment and mediating a table.
On Day 1, participants rotated through table sessions where each WAC Fellow shared tools, assignments, and teaching strategies that they developed through their time in WAC or their capstone project. Each session encouraged faculty and colleagues to reflect on:
- How they currently integrate (or resist) AI in their teaching,
- What inclusive assessment looks like in different contexts, and
- Ways to design writing assignments that students find valuable and connected.
For Day 2, the focus shifted from sharing to feedback and action planning. Faculty Fellows and participants brought real examples, such as assignment prompts, syllabus statements, or AI policies, to workshop and receive constructive peer feedback.
The hybrid format allowed faculty to participate from campus and beyond, making the conversations richer.
Participant Takeaways
After the event, participants shared with us some of their main insights. These highlight the spirit of our symposium discussions:
“I learned about structuring peer review into a writing assignment.”
“Yes, I can incorporate AI in a manageable way!”
“I’m thinking more about real and meaningful audience in our short writing assignments… it makes them more engaging.”
“I am reminded of how important scaffolding is, creating enough time in and across classes for students.”
“Writing should be meaningful for students.”
“Generative AI is a tool, but we need to teach students how to use it responsibly and ethically.”
Get Involved
Want to explore more about assignment design, meaningful writing, or WAC events? Visit our WAC website for teaching resources and upcoming opportunities.
We hope you join us in our future WAC events!
Prepared by Thais Rodrigues Cons (she/her)
Email: Thais Rodrigues Cons