Laura Beerits

Laura Beerits is an Associate Teaching Professor in the English Department and Director of the Writing Center at Northeastern University’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH). She holds a PhD in English from the University of Texas at Austin, along with an MA in Rhetoric and Writing and a BA in English from Middlebury College. Her research focuses on student writing practices, teaching assistant pedagogy, and contemporary American coming-of-age novels. She received the College of Engineering (COE) Outstanding Teacher of First-Year Engineering Students Award in 2019. Beerits teaches courses including Advanced Writing in Business Professions, First-Year Writing, and Introductory First-Year Writing, emphasizing professional writing skills and workshop-based learning. She oversees the Writing Center, supporting student writing development across disciplines. Office hours are held Wednesday 4:30–5:30pm and Friday 12–2pm.

Education:

• PhD in English, University of Texas at Austin
• MA in Rhetoric and Writing, University of Texas at Austin
• BA in English, Middlebury College

Research Interests: Beerits explores how students construct self-referential language in academic writing, the training of teaching assistants, and literary themes in modern coming-of-age narratives. Her work bridges composition theory and literary analysis, with a focus on improving pedagogical practices in higher education.

Awards:

• College of Engineering (COE) Outstanding Teacher of First-Year Engineering Students Award (April 2019)

Advising & Grants: While no specific grants are listed, Beerits’ role in directing the Writing Center reflects her commitment to supporting student writing development institutionally. She collaborates with colleagues such as Professors Elizabeth Britt and Chris Gallagher in advancing writing education initiatives.

Labs/Teams: As Director of the Writing Center, Beerits leads a team providing peer tutoring and resources for student writers across disciplines, emphasizing collaborative learning and critical feedback.