Today we’re interviewing Dr. Becca Cassady. She joined the Graduate School in 2022 as the Dissertation, Thesis, and Graduate Writing Center Program Director. In her current role, she directs a team of graduate writing consultants from across disciplines as they work with students on their writing and publications, offering feedback on writing projects and helping foster effective writing and publication habits. She also oversees Technical Reviews and assists graduate students in crossing the finish line as they format, finalize, and publish their theses and dissertations.
Before joining the Graduate School, Becca earned her PhD in English with a concentration in rhetoric and composition from Baylor. She has taught in various capacities in Baylor’s English Department and Honors College, first as a graduate student and then as a Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow. Her research interests include learning transfer, writing center theory, and literacy. Welcome (back) to the Graduate School, Dr. Cassady!
BearTracks
Okay Dr. Cassady, as you sip your sparkling rainwater here at Pinewood coffee shop, tell me about yourself. Who are you?
Dr. Becca Cassady
I don’t know how vulnerable you want me to be?
BT
This is a tell-all interview.
DBC
Oh good. I’m originally from Georgia. I came here for grad school in 2015. I did the PhD in English and graduated in 2021. I did a postdoc here, and then was hired on as the Graduate Writing Center (GWC) Director, which has been a whirlwind.
BT
You’re kind of living the dream; you did a version of this job while you were a graduate student, saw a need for a more official, full-time position to be created, and helped make it happen. Tell us about that. Tell us about that journey.
DBC
Well, I was the Graduate Writing Center Coordinator as a grad student, so I was in your current position, which is great. But now I get to do the work of growing the Graduate Writing Center, whereas when I was coordinator, you only have ten hours a week to devote to the job, so your resources are pretty limited. But in this full-time role, I’ve been doing a lot of work trying to expand our staff, our resources, doing more research, more training, and expanding our services to faculty, postdocs, all of that good stuff.
BT
So what does a day in the life of your job look like? Because you wear a lot of hats. The Graduate Writing Center is not the only hat in your hat closet.
DBC
The Graduate Writing Center Director is my favorite hat because it was the subject of my dissertation research, but I’m also the head of the Dissertation and Thesis Office. So I’m the one that people get to talk to when they have issues with their dissertation or thesis defense. We want you to graduate! My role on the front end of that process is that I approve committee compositions and such to make sure they meet requirements. But then at the end of the process, I’m the one who approves your final document, helps you submit to ProQuest, helps make sure that all of your materials are certified so you can graduate, and then we send you on your way.
I also help with travel awards. So if we ever need conference funding, I oversee the approval process for those funds.
BT
What is your favorite thing about your job?
DBC
Should I say what every other person has said or should I be creative?
BT
You should do what your heart tells you to do.
DBC
Okay, I’ll do both. It really is a great place to work; the people here are amazing. The grad students that come in and work with us are amazing. My office mates are so fun and our undergraduate student workers are awesome. And really, it’s just a fun atmosphere; it’s very collaborative. Everyone’s trying to help each other out. And I just really love what I do with the Graduate Writing Center. I know everyone loves their research, but it’s so fascinating to me.
BT
It is adorable when you come to staff meeting all giddy, saying “Guys. Let’s talk about genre theory!!!”
DBC
I can’t help it.
BT
You can’t help it! And your excitement is contagious.
What do you wish graduate students knew about the Graduate School, especially someone who was a graduate student at Baylor and now works in the Graduate School?
DBC
I was lucky in that I worked for the Grad School for three years. So as a grad student, for most of it, I did know what it was there for and what it offered, but before that, I think I was just very unaware of the fact that there are so many resources. And I think if you’re struggling with something or need something, chances are there is a resource either in production or already in existence. And even if there isn’t, we want to hear from you, so speak up and let us know. We want to help.
BT
100% agree.
What is your favorite Baylor event?
DBC
I love the atmosphere at football games, but I’m also a sucker for Christmas on Fifth, because I love a good live nativity.
**peals of laughter**
BT
Wow. What a reason.
DBC
I just love it.
BT
There’s no good transition out of that, so let’s just keep going.
I know what you’re going to say to this one, but what’s a resource you wish graduate students took better advantage of?
DBC
Oh yeah, go use the Graduate Writing Center! These are advanced doctoral students who are literally paid to look at your writing and help it become better! And you get to use it for free! And the consultants are so skilled at what they do. It’s really accessible. Just send an online request, and we’ll get back to you. It’s not just a tool for people who are “bad” writers. I think people need to get over that stigma. We’re not remedial. We have faculty members and postdocs who use our services, and they’re great at what they do.
BT
Right! They know they already know how to do this, and they still come to use for help.
DBC
Exactly. And you can attest to the greatness of our consultants, as well.
BT
Absolutely. they’re the best of the best.
What is a recurring pitfall you feel like graduate students make that you would love to just put out there on a billboard so that everyone stops making this mistake?
DBC
Well, I don’t know if this is true for all graduate students, but I think there’s a tendency to make school and work your life and not take enough time for self-care or to do things that bring you joy in the midst of the stress of papers and things like that. So I think people need to remember that this is a part of who they are, but it’s not their whole identity. This might be taking a step back from school work, it might be going to counseling, it might be going on regular walks in Cameron Park, or just managing expectations of yourself. Basically, it would be to holistically take care of yourself instead of just worrying about cultivating your academic identity.
BT
In other words, don’t be a two-dimensional grad student. Be a ten-dimensional grad student.
How about a fun fact about yourself?
DBC
I’m a member of the Waco Calligraphy Guild; we meet once a month, and we do calligraphy! Most of the members are my grandma’s age, but it’s super fun.
BT
Love it.
Okay, final question: who’s your favorite staff member? Or not a staff member – you can pick me, but no pressure. I know it goes without saying.
DBC
Oh, totally. **eye roll** So in my three years of working for the Grad School as a grad student, I spent a lot of time with Alanna Martinez, because she was formerly in Laura Sepanski’s role. At that time, I was Graduate Student Association exec, I was working as the GWC coordinator, and as the GPS doctoral admin, so we spent a lot of time together! I’m sure she got sick of me, but now we get to work together!