As the first Writing & Speaking Initiative (WSI) Honors Fellow in the Honors College at the 鶹ӳ, Miles McMahan is breaking new ground. Born in Germany, McMahan moved often with his family, giving him the chance to experience life in different parts of the world. Eventually, his family settled in Reno, where he spent most of his childhood. In Reno, he attended Bud Beasley Elementary School, Mendive Middle School and later the Academy of Arts Careers & Technology (AACT), making the 鶹ӳ a natural choice for college.
Graduating this December, McMahon is still deciding his next steps. He hopes to find a good job with a solid salary. Ultimately, he would like a career that allows him to maintain a healthy work life balance.
McMahon’s role as the first WSI Honors Fellow is part of a new collaboration between the Writing & Speaking Center and the Writing and Speaking in the Disciplines program. As a Fellow, he provides disciplinary support to students enrolled in Fellows-supported courses.
“While I haven’t been here long, I can already see improvement in my interpersonal skills,” he said. “One key area is learning how to guide others through their writing process, and helping them find their own answers through the Socratic method. I am typically someone who takes a more direct approach to learning, so it has been a refreshing change here. It has been interesting to help others with a more hands-off approach, guiding them rather than giving them direct and straightforward answers.”
McMahon added that the skills he is learning are essential to almost any profession that involves working with people, making it a valuable experience that goes beyond just the Writing & Speaking Center.
When asked how he thinks the Fellows program could be beneficial for other Honors College students, McMahon said he believes it opens a new pathway for Honors College students. It is another opportunity that the Honors College can provide for its students, particularly those who are interested in developing their writing and speaking skills.
“In the long run, students who choose to stick with the program throughout their college years could also gain more experience and mentorship through their academic journey,” McMahon said.
McMahon likes that, as “one of the first trailblazers in this program, I have a sense of independence and control. I was not expecting this level of independence coming into this program.”
Reflecting on his experience as a WSI Honors Fellow, McMahon said, “I have been loving my time here working with the Writing and Speaking Fellows Program. The environment has been laid-back and engaging while still being fun and productive. One of the highlights of this opportunity has been collaborating with fellow consultants, as it has helped me refine my interpersonal skills and discover the most effective strategies for supporting others in their writing process.”
