Writing Center Is Here to Help

The LLCC Writing Center welcomes students to visit regularly during the final stretch of the semester. Appointments are available Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Don't wait for inspiration to find you. Make a plan. Set manageable goals. Put specific tasks on your calendar. Then celebrate as your writing project takes shape.

2025 Paul Simon Essay Winners

The Writing Center would like to congratulate the winners of the Paul Simon Essay Contest! The students’ submissions were excellent.

  • First Place: Eleanor Stuckey
  • Second Place: Drake Bailey
  • Third Place: Miranda Sanders

Eleanor’s essay will be sent to the state-wide competition. The winner at that level will be awarded a $500 scholarship in June. Local prizes for the winners were donated by the LLCC Foundation and the LLCC Bookstore.

Congratulations, students!

Paul Simon Essay & Scholarship Contest deadline is today

LLCC students have an opportunity to win a $500 scholarship by participating in the Paul Simon Essay Contest. Please encourage students to enter by writing a 500-word essay on the topic “How My Community College Changed My Life.”

Deadline: 3 p.m., Friday, March 21

Entries will be judged on style, clarity and relevance with special emphasis on grammar and punctuation. Submissions must include the student’s name, address, phone number and email address. Students are encouraged to schedule appointments in the LLCC Writing Center to review essays before submission. Submissions must be emailed to the Writing Center by the deadline, writing.center@llcc.edu.

LLCC prizes:

  • First place: $75 gas card and prizes from the LLCC Bookstore. The winning essay will be entered into the statewide competition for the chance to win $500 toward educational expenses for the fall 2025 and an invitation to attend the Illinois Community College Association’s awards banquet in June.
  • Second place: $25 gas card and prizes from the LLCC Bookstore.
  • Third place: prizes from the LLCC Bookstore.

For more information, contact the Writing Center at 217-786-2341 or writing.center@llcc.edu.

Special thanks to the LLCC Foundation and Bookstore for the prize giveaways.

Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson inspires at LLCC

Photos of Illinois poet laureate Angela Jackson interacting with a packed audience at LLCC.
LLCC’s English and Humanities Department and Writing Center, in partnership with the Springfield Area Arts Council and Poetry Out Loud, hosted Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson on Thursday in the Writing Center.

As part of her visit, Jackson facilitated a poetry writing workshop and spoke about her life, her inspirations and her experiences as Illinois Poet Laureate. Additionally, she read from her collections including, “It Seems Like a Mighty Long Time.”

Read more about Jackson’s visit.

Writing Center Professional Development

During the recent spring break, Writing Center Specialists Laurie Myers, Jeannette Garceau and Lisa Avendano attended the Midwest Writing Centers Association Conference at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The conference, “Promise and Practice: Tutoring Writing in Turbulent Times,” offered sessions from faculty, professional staff and student tutors on a variety of topics affecting writing center practice.Laurie Myers, Jeannette Garceau and Lisa Avendano pose for a photo

Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson visits LLCC today

Angela JacksonLLCC’s English and Humanities Department and Writing Center, in partnership with the Springfield Area Arts Council and Poetry Out Loud, will host Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson on March 20 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Writing Center.

As part of her visit, Jackson will facilitate a poetry writing workshop and speak about her life, her inspirations and her experiences as Illinois Poet Laureate. Additionally, she will read from her collections including, “It Seems Like a Mighty Long Time.”

Writing Center Event and Closure

On Thursday, March 20, the LLCC Writing Center is hosting a visit from Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson. The Writing Center will be closed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for this event. Beginning at 11 a.m., Ms. Jackson will share from her writing as well as facilitate a poetry writing workshop. Lunch will be provided for all guests.

LLCC to host Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson

Angela JacksonLLCC’s English and Humanities Department and Writing Center, in partnership with the Springfield Area Arts Council and Poetry Out Loud, will host Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson on March 20 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Writing Center.

As part of her visit, Jackson will facilitate a poetry writing workshop and speak about her life, her inspirations and her experiences as Illinois Poet Laureate. Additionally, she will read from her collections including, “It Seems Like a Mighty Long Time.”

Read more about Jackson’s visit.

LLCC to host Illinois Poet Laureate, Angela Jackson

Angela Jackson
LLCC’s English and Humanities Department and Writing Center, in partnership with the Springfield Area Arts Council and Poetry Out Loud will host Illinois’ Poet Laureate in residence, Angela Jackson, on March 20 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Writing Center.

As part of her visit, Jackson will facilitate a poetry writing workshop and speak about her life, her inspirations and her experiences as Illinois Poet Laureate. Additionally, she will read from her collections including, “It Seems Like a Mighty Long Time.”

Read more about Jackson’s visit online.