Odd Lands ‘Dream Job’ as Writing Center Coordinator

Jared Odd has been named coordinator of the writing center.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Jared Odd traveled more than 1,770 miles for his dream job.

Odd was recently named coordinator of the Lindsey Wilson College writing center. He comes to the college from Utah State University in Logan -- more than 1,700 miles from Lindsey Wilson's A.P. White Campus.

"This has been my dream job for about five years," Odd said. "I've always been interested in writing center work and helping students become better writers."

A native of Washington state, Odd earned an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho and a master's degree from Utah State. He served as a writing consultant as both an undergraduate and graduate student.

Odd, who spent about three years working as a technical writer, said that his heart was always set on working at a college writing center. So when he saw the Lindsey Wilson position posted earlier this year, he jumped at the opportunity to travel east.

"I enjoy the psychology of working at a college writing center," he said. "I like to think that I am considerate enough a person to listen to what someone has written and ask them questions about what they are trying to express."

Odd oversees a group of student writing consultants who work on projects with their peers. Odd said the writing center is open to all writers -- not only those who struggle with the written word.

"The writing center's consultants offer assistance in all areas of the writing process, from generating ideas to drafting, from revising to polishing," he said.

As Odd noted, the mission of the Lindsey Wilson writing center is not to create better papers but rather to help individuals grow as writers.

"Our purpose is to help people become the best writers they can, whether they are accomplished or consider themselves beginners," he said.

Odd and his wife, Pam, have two children: Ryan, 4; and Emery, 2.