Dawn Janke

About Dawn Janke

I’m an educator, administrator, and writer committed to advancing equity-minded, student-centered learning in higher education. As Executive Director for Writing and Learning at Cal Poly, I lead a dynamic team that supports academic preparation, learning assistance, and writing across the curriculum. My work focuses on strengthening student success from first-year transitions to graduation, with particular attention to inclusive pedagogies and closing equity gaps. With over two decades of experience in composition pedagogy, academic support, and faculty development, I’ve helped shape campuswide programs and policies that improve persistence, retention, and learning outcomes. Whether piloting proactive learning initiatives, chairing university committees, or mentoring students and staff, I strive to align educational practice with institutional transformation. A first-generation college graduate, I bring a deep appreciation for the complexities of the student experience and the transformative power of education. I’ve presented nationally on writing center administration, assessment, inclusive instruction, and academic support integration, and I remain energized by cross-campus collaboration and creative problem-solving.

Experience

1. Executive Director, Writing and Learning

   California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly

   Jan 2008 — Present · San Luis Obispo, CA, US

   As Executive Director for Writing and Learning, I manage the following programs and services designed to ensure optimal educational opportunities for diverse student populations: the Early Assessment Program for college readiness and transitions; academic placement in English; the CSU-mandated Early Start English program for first-time first-year students; the Writing and Learning Center, which offers one-to-one and small-group tutoring in all subjects; and the Academic Skills Center, which offers supplemental instruction workshops for students in Math and Science courses with high D,F,W rates and study sessions for STEM courses. I also coordinate the Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR), including serving as chair of the university’s GWR Advisory Board, managing the GWR Portfolio Program, and supporting faculty who teach upper-division GWR-designated General Education and major-specific courses.

Education

• University of Southern California

  Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Organizational Change and Leadership

  2015 — 2018

• Northeastern Illinois University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), English/Language Arts Teacher Education

  1994 — 1997

• Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

  Master of Arts (M.A.), English Language and Literature, General

  2001 — 2003

Skills

• Educational Assessment
• Research
• English Teaching
• Creative Writing
• Teaching
• Community Outreach
• Tutoring
• Grant Writing
• Resume Writing
• English Literature
• Change Management
• Management
• Public Speaking
• College Teaching
• Curriculum Development
• Event Planning
• Curriculum Assessment
• Academic Administration
• Academic Tutoring
• Higher Education Administration
• Curriculum Innovation
• Higher Education Policy
• Rhetorical Analysis
• Higher Education Research
• English Grammar
• Qualitative Research
• Student Affairs
• Curriculum Design
• Academic English
• Academic Advising
• Conference Coordination
• Storytelling
• Copy Editing
• Conference Organization
• Higher Education
• Student Development
• Editing
• Higher Education Leadership
• Organizational Leadership
• University Teaching