Breadcrumb academics curriculum west point writing program history West Point Writing Program (left) MENU The Writing Program About & Frequently Asked Questions Leadership Program History People The Curriculum List of All Courses First Year Composition Writing-in-the-Core Writing-in-the-Major Writing-in-the-Profession The Pedagogy Pedagogical Model Signature Writing Resources For Faculty For Cadets For the Army For Technical Communication Stokes Fellows Program Apply Courses Scholarship Teaching Experiences Mounger Writing Center Make an Appointment Cadet FAQs Faculty FAQs Program HistoryEndorsed unanimously by the Academic Board and enacted by Superintendent LTG Robert L. Caslen Jr. in May 2016, the Writing Program is an Academy-level initiative that was approved in concept in November 2014 as a key component of West Point's new curriculum.At that time, the Academic Board deemed some manner of “writing-across-the-disciplines program” essential not merely to sustaining the study of writing at the Academy—given the elimination from the new core curriculum of one of two previously required courses in general composition (EN302: Advanced Composition through Cultural Studies)—but ultimately to expanding that study in light of growing concerns about writing proficiency, at West Point and across colleges and the Army generally.Over the next year and a half, at the direction of West Point's thirteenth Dean, BG (R) Timothy E. Trainor, a dozen experienced faculty and administrators developed recommendations for the design of the Program. The final design was based on extensive consideration of 1) scholarship in the field; 2) the programs and practices of identified peer and aspirant institutions; 3) the strengths and needs of the present curriculum and faculty body; 4) the insights of senior leaders across the Academy.Our design thus incorporated widely accepted principles and practices of peer and aspirant institutions while also specifically adapting them to the unique needs of West Point, often in response to incisive feedback from USMA faculty, alumni, cadets, and staff. Importantly, the final design also built on other recently-made institutional gains in writing education, including the establishment of a Writing Fellows Program in 2012 and Writing Center in 2013, both of which were originally sponsored by the Department of English and Philosophy and subsequently realigned under the Writing Program in the Office of the Dean.With its approval by Superintendent Caslen, and with the full support of USMA's fourteenth Dean (BG Cindy R. Jebb), the Writing Program was gradually phased into the life of the Academy over the 2017 and 2018 Academic Years. Under current Superintendent LTG Darryl A. Williams, the West Point Writing Program (WPWP) was fully resourced and operational at the start of the 2019 Academic Year under the leadership of founding director Dr. Jason Hoppe.Step by step, the Program promises to make positive changes in the diverse cultures of writing that flourish at West Point, and to do its part in fulfilling the Academy's mission to educate, train, and inspire leaders of character who are prepared for professional careers in the Army as well as lifetimes of service to the nation. Previous Next 2012: USMA establishes the Writing Fellows Program With the sponsorship of the Dept. of English and Philosophy, Dr. Jason Hoppe designed & taught the first Writing Fellows Program courses. 2013: West Point Writing Center Opens Staffed by Cadet Writing Fellows and directed by Dr. Jason Hoppe, the West Point Writing Center takes its first appointments. 2016: Writing Center becomes the Mounger Writing Center The Center is named after Mr. Mounger in recognition of his support and commitment to the development of more effective cadet writers. 2016: The Academic Board unanimously endorses the creation of the WPWP The Writing Fellows Program and Mounger Writing Center realigned under the WPWP, one of the most robust writing programs in the nation. 2018: the WPWP moves into its final location, in Jefferson Hall. The Writing Program offices are located in the southwest corner of the library's first floor. Previous Next 2012: USMA establishes the Writing Fellows Program With the sponsorship of the Dept. of English and Philosophy, Dr. Jason Hoppe designed & taught the first Writing Fellows Program courses. 2013: West Point Writing Center Opens Staffed by Cadet Writing Fellows and directed by Dr. Jason Hoppe, the West Point Writing Center takes its first appointments. 2016: Writing Center becomes the Mounger Writing Center The Center is named after Mr. Mounger in recognition of his support and commitment to the development of more effective cadet writers. 2016: The Academic Board unanimously endorses the creation of the WPWP The Writing Fellows Program and Mounger Writing Center realigned under the WPWP, one of the most robust writing programs in the nation. 2018: the WPWP moves into its final location, in Jefferson Hall. The Writing Program offices are located in the southwest corner of the library's first floor. Previous Next 2012: USMA establishes the Writing Fellows Program With the sponsorship of the Dept. of English and Philosophy, Dr. Jason Hoppe designed & taught the first Writing Fellows Program courses. 2013: West Point Writing Center Opens Staffed by Cadet Writing Fellows and directed by Dr. Jason Hoppe, the West Point Writing Center takes its first appointments. 2016: Writing Center becomes the Mounger Writing Center The Center is named after Mr. Mounger in recognition of his support and commitment to the development of more effective cadet writers. 2016: The Academic Board unanimously endorses the creation of the WPWP The Writing Fellows Program and Mounger Writing Center realigned under the WPWP, one of the most robust writing programs in the nation. 2018: the WPWP moves into its final location, in Jefferson Hall. The Writing Program offices are located in the southwest corner of the library's first floor.