Writing Center
What is the Writing Center?
The Writing Center provides one-to-one instructional assistance for students in all levels of reading and writing. We place particular emphasis on the success of basic skills English and English as a Second Language (ESL) students.
Faculty tutors and lab staff are available to help students address individual reading and/or writing issues. Students may use computers, study independently, or work in groups.
Who can use the Writing Center?
Any Allan Hancock College credit students who need assistance with reading and writing can use the center by registering for a Writing Center course.
Students enrolled in English 512-514 classes spend two hours per week completing lab assignments that complement classroom instruction as part of their course credit. Additionally, ESL Writing Skills students complete one hour per week in the lab working on lab assignments assigned by the instructor.
Students who are not enrolled in the classes above may register for the half-unit Writing Center course, English 306 or 307, in order to fully utilize the lab.
Location
Bldg. L (ARC - Academic Resource Center)
Telephone extension: 3501
Hours
Fall/Spring:
Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m to 12 p.m.
Summer:
please call 805-922-6966 x3501 for hours.
Staff
Mary Jean Abatti
Lab Assistant
mjabatti@hancockcollege.edu
Miguel Gutierrez
Instructional Assistant
miguel.gutierrez1@hancockcollege.edu
Elaine Healy
Assistant Professor/Coordinator
ehealy@hancockcollege.edu
Ana Vega
Lab Assistant
ana.vega@hancockcollege.edu
Student Learning Outcomes
- PSLO 1. (Operational): The Writing Center will provide writing, reading, and technology instruction in an accessible, comfortable, supportive, and collaborative environment for students of all abilities and from all disciplines.
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PSLO 2. (Instructional): Developmental English and English as a Second Language students will demonstrate improved writing at the sentence, paragraph, and/or essay level.
- PSLO 3. (Instructional): Students will demonstrate improved confidence in their writing ability.
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PLO 4. (Instructional): Students will demonstrate improved confidence in the use of technology.
ESL Spotlight

Rie Walden
UCSB Transfer Student
I moved to the United States in 2012. My English was very limited, so I decided to enroll in noncredit ESL courses in the summer of that same year. By fall of 2013 after hard work and dedication, I was ready to transition to credit ESL. The sooner I started credit ESL the better, but as a new California resident the tuition was more expensive since I had to pay out of state tuition, so I decided to wait for a year to attend credit class at AHC. AHC has great student support programs that I utilized; for example, AIM, EOPS, CAN/TRIO, and the Tutorial Center. I recommend everyone to take advantage of these services and to ask for help from your instructors when needed.