Dr. Karen Welch has been teaching at UWEC since 1987. She received her Ph.D. in Composition Studies from the University of Minnesota. Her doctoral dissertation examines the controversies surrounding the use of social and political issues in first-year college writing courses. Other research interests include writing across disciplines, teaching English as a second or foreign language, responding to student writing, and using writing to break student silences. A former editorial supervisor, Dr. Welch teaches all levels of college writing and introductory technical writing. Her writing courses stress critical analysis of various kinds of texts; careful study of the complexities of reader-writer relationships; collaborative thinking and writing; and cultural considerations for writers. Students can expect to participate daily in class discussions of their drafts, give oral presentations, and submit best drafts of writing projects in a portfolio for final evaluation. Dr. Welch has also taught English 290, Images of Women in Comptemporary Literature and WMNS 301, Examining Women's Studies.
Dr. Welch is involved in many campus activities including University Senate. Welch is also co-author of the WIND-EAU project, an initiative to encourage upper division writing intensive courses in the disciplines. She is also currently the Interim Director of Composition, responsible for chairing the Composition committee, hiring/training Writing Center tutors, and conducting writing workshops for teachers within and beyond the UWEC English Department.