Our History
The Founding of CUWP
The partnership between BYU and the Central Utah Writing Project (CUWP) began in 2009 when English education faculty Deborah Dean and Chris Crowe proposed and developed a local site at BYU as on of the 175 university-based sites of the National Writing Project (NWP). With the sponsorship and support of the BYU College of Humanities and the BYU English Department, these faculty have grown a nationally-recognized regional hub of university faculty, K-12 educators, and students (including BYU undergraduate and graduate students). Over 200 CUWP teacher fellows from the past 14 years are connected through personal and professional development as writers and writing instructors.
In the video below, CUWP founding director Deborah Dean shares the story of how she came to found the Central Utah Writing Project in 2009 and her worries and hopes for the future of the site as she moves into her new role as Emeritus Director in 2023.
CUWP Distinctions and Grants Awarded
National Writing Project Radio (2011)
Featured CUWP Director founding director Debbie Dean on a one-hour podcast about her book, What Works in Writing Instruction.
What Works in Writing Instruction (2013)
CUWP was selected as one of 15 NWP sites to create/pilot an online learning experience program aimed at creating asynchronous online learning communities for professional development. CUWP’s contribution was “Strategic Writing,” and the Online Learning Experience Page Content was “What Works in Writing Instruction.” This project was led by Debbie Dean, Joseph Wiederhold, and Chris Thompson.
Assignments Matter Grant (2014 – 2015)
CUWP was one of 20 sites to receive the $2000 Assignments Matter Grant and travel support for grant leaders (Debbie Dean, Chris Thompson) for training and program evaluation. These site leaders and Joseph Wiederhold conducted professional development for invited administrators and teachers from the BYU partnership districts to support development of clear writing prompts.
Everyday Advocacy Summer Institute (2016)
CUWP fellows Elizabeth Thackeray and Daniel Potter were invited to attend a one-week advanced summer institute on Everyday Advocacy. This institute was hosted by Dr. Cathy Fleischer at the Eastern Michigan Writing Project.
Pathway to Academic Success Grant (2019 – 2024)
CUWP Director Debbie Dean was recruited for and received a $571,995 Pathways to Academic Success Project Grant in 2019 to facilitate a longitudinal research-based intervention to develop cognitive strategies among secondary writing teachers in local partner schools. As part of this grant, Debbie and Associate Directors Joseph Wiederhold and Chris Thompson have traveled to University of California – Irvine multiple times for grant training with Dr. Carol Booth Olson. They have conducted over 1300 hours of professional development over three years with over 30 teachers in Utah Valley. As one of only 10 NWP sites in this grant, CUWP has regularly been recognized for its fidelity to the grant, excellent outcomes and teacher participation. Currently in its fifth and final year, the Pathways Grant will conclude after an extension year in 2024.
Future Directions for CUWP
At the end of the 2022 CUWP Summer Institute, Deborah Dean passed the torch to Amber Jensen, the new director of the Central Utah Writing Project. In this video, Debbie shares an outgoing message about the beginnings of CUWP and about passing the torch of leadership to Amber.