Diana Awad Scrocco

Dr. Diana Awad Scrocco is an Associate Professor in the Department of English & World Languages at Youngstown State University (YSU). She directs the Public and Professional Writing program, focusing on expert-novice interaction and feedback mechanisms in academic and healthcare settings. Her work bridges writing pedagogy, medical communication, and writing center theory, emphasizing practical applications in professional and technical contexts.

Education:

• PhD in English: Rhetoric and Composition (2012), Kent State University. Dissertation: An Examination of the Literate Practices of Resident Physicians and Attending Physician Preceptors in a Resident-Run Internal Medicine Clinic
• MA in English: Literature and Writing (2008), Kent State University
• BA in English and Psychology (2006), Youngstown State University

Research Interests: Diana’s research explores writing in professional and medical environments, including the role of topoi in medical training, online tutoring innovation, and programmatic curriculum design. She emphasizes dialogic feedback strategies and the integration of technology in writing centers. Her work in medical rhetoric highlights communication between physicians and trainees, while her technical writing studies focus on data-driven and healthcare-specific communication practices.

Articles Overview: Her publications reflect a sustained focus on writing center methodologies and medical communication. Recent work (2023) examines alignment between tutoring plans and consultations, while earlier studies (2016–2014) analyze physician education dialogue and residency training practices. She also explores creative pedagogical approaches like aural projects in writing courses (2011) and collaborative program adjustments using layered literacies frameworks (2023).

Awards:

• 2025: Research Professorship (university-wide competitive research leave)
• 2018: Faculty Improvement Leave (9 hours reassigned time)
• 2017: University Honors Trustee Faculty Award (Honors College student impact)
• 2015: University Research Professorship
• 2012: Mark Reynolds TETYC Best Article Award (for Do you care to add something?)

Advising & Grants: Diana has coordinated intellectual contributions (2019–2026) and oversees the Public and Professional Writing internship program. While no specific grants are listed, her awards (e.g., research leaves) indicate sustained institutional support for her work. She teaches a wide range of graduate and undergraduate courses, including Methods of Composition Research and Writing in the Health Science Professions.

Labs/Teams: She collaborates with the University Writing Center at the University of Texas at Austin (as noted in journal affiliations) and actively contributes to the Honors College at YSU through award-winning mentorship. Her program direction and writing center research suggest leadership in interdisciplinary teams focused on professional and medical communication training.