Where We Start

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 “At a time when our field is actively seeking viable frameworks to be applied in high-stakes settings, such as program management and institutional advancement, the research presented in this collection and the associated lessons are desperately needed.”
—Jason Tham, Texas Tech University

Providing practical, pragmatic guidance for current and aspiring administrators, Where We Start is the first book in technical communication that professionalizes administrative work and practices, offering practical advice on curricular, undergraduate, and graduate program development.

Where We Start teaches by example with each chapter combining personal knowledge with published research to direct readers toward their own practices. Some of the most experienced program leaders in technical communication share strategies for program design, curriculum development, assessment, inclusivity, and external partnerships. The collection is divided into three main sections: Programmatic Development and Planning, which focuses on the foundational aspects of strategic planning, curriculum development, and programmatic assessment; Developing Differently, which highlights approaches to inclusivity, diversity, and unconventional career paths in program administration; and Building Beyond, which discusses strategies for expanding technical communication programs through partnerships with industry and international institutions.

A resource for administrators as well as graduate students and early-career faculty looking to understand the intricacies of program management, Where We Start fills a critical gap, offering insights from a uniquely technical communication perspective where programmatic resources are scarce.

Contributors: Jared-Jamal Alexander, Lee-Ann Breuch, Tracy Bridgeford, Julie Ford, Tharon Howard, Natasha Jones, Andrew Mara, Lisa Meloncon, Kristen Moore, Joanna Schreiber, Kirk St.Amant, Rebecca Walton, and Bill Williamson.