ABSTRACT
Becoming a writing program administrator (WPA) is most often a faculty member’s first administrative position. As a result, new WPAs often look at their first year on the job with many mixed emotions—including some trepidations. Then, discovering the program they are about to lead is being considered to be moved outside of the English Department can multiply the new WPA’s anxiety level tremendously. In reality, standing outside of an English Department can be both an exhilarating or a frightening moment for a WPA. Whereas some might fear the lack of security which comes with being safely tucked inside an English Department (usually the largest academic unit on a campus), many others will feel the excitement of having more control over their program’s destiny. As I have recently detailed the different manifestations of Writing Units outside of English Departments (“Working Outside of English Departments: Understanding and Negotiating Administrative Reporting Lines”), I would like to take this opportunity to present more of a “fantasy scenario.” Because we already know some of the ways independent writing units can be structured, what I’d like to answer here is what might be the best way to organize a unit.
