Mission Statement

The writing center is a comfortable, non-judgmental, and welcoming environment. Our goal is to provide students with the support necessary to become effective writers. Our clients are welcome to visit the center at any stage of the writing process and our tutors will work with them to strengthen their writing through client-driven sessions. 

Director's Note

My name is Lena Tashjian and I am the proud founder and director of the Baltimore City College Writing Center. I started the writing center in 2014 with the aim of creating an academic support system for our students. Today, we continue to support our students’ academic growth while also working to bridge the achievement gap by creating access and equity for one and all. 


Our writing center is staffed by peer tutors who have undergone a rigorous application, interview, and training process.They embody true leadership skills and are motivated by a desire to support their peers. Not only are they dedicated to the success of their clients, but they are also dedicated to the success of every student in Baltimore City. They demonstrate that dedication by volunteering at a local elementary school and at the public library. 

Our writing center has been such a success that we are now working towards growing writing centers across the city. To that end, we hosted our first citywide conference in 2018. We invited teachers, administrators and students from all over the school district to visit with us and learn about our program. We hope to continue this work in the coming years with the goal of opening a writing center in every Baltimore City public school. Ultimately, our aim is to give all Baltimore City students the opportunity to succeed at the highest levels while preparing them not only for college but for the professional world beyond. 

If you have any questions about our work or if you’re interested in starting your own writing center, please feel free to contact me at ltashjian@bcps.k12.md.us. In the interim, I invite you to take a look at our work as captured in the video links to your right.