Writing tutor eager to help GSCO students

This semester, GSC Oconee has employed a full-time writing tutor, further bolstering the academic assistance available to all students on a daily basis and giving them the opportunity to work closely with a well educated and experienced writer.

Stationed in the back office of the library, Jonathan Barefield is excited about his new position and the opportunity to work with college writers. Barefield, an Augusta native, returns to Georgia after a stint at Central Michigan University, where he went to obtain a Master’s Degree in English Language and Literature.

While working toward his master’s, Barefield served as a writing consultant for CMU before accepting his current position with GSC. Along with his M.A. from Central Michigan, Barefield also earned bachelor’s degrees in both religion and psychology at the University of Georgia. A creative writer at heart, Barefield loves working with student writers as it gives him a chance to simultaneously teach the students and learn from them.

“I’m interested in assisting young writers in finding their voice,” Barefield said, “To me, that’s part of what being a writing tutor is all about.” Whether a student needs help with a literature paper, a critical essay, or a piece of creative writing, the writing tutor’s office should be a part of the process. “I have worked with every possible kind of writer so I’m prepared to do anything, even if a student just has random ideas they want to work on,” Barefield added.

While his previous job provided experience, Barefield plans to learn from his new colleagues and the writing tutors who worked at GSC before him. “I’m still figuring things out around here, but I’m trying to learn from the systems that former tutors used here. I have ideas of what I want to add and where I want to go with it,” he said, “The faculty and students have been so incredibly inviting and nice. I look forward to working here and helping students achieve their goals however I can.”

While many GSC students and faculty members have been concerned for months about the upcoming consolidation, Barefield has lost no sleep over the matter. Although he was unaware of the situation before taking the position, he says he will remain with GSC through the consolidation.

“I know things are in the process of change, but my understanding is that I will be remaining here at the Oconee Campus. If they offer me a private jet, maybe I’ll think about traveling to the other campuses,” Barefield quipped. With no private jet purchases planned in the near future, students can expect Barefield to become a mainstay as the GSC Oconee writing guru.