Nicole Abiad

Education

• PhD Information Sciences and Learning Technologies, University of Missouri, Current-Ongoing
• MS Psychology, Arizona State University, 2020
• MA International Studies, University of Denver, 2011
• BA Psychology, University of Denver, 2008
• Graduate Certificate, Human Computer Interactions, Iowa State University, 2022

Biography

Nicole Abiad is a seasoned and dedicated writing center professional who has worked at VCUarts Qatar since 2016. Her belief that every student can be a competent and expressive writer leads her to focus on expanding the writer’s skills rather than on the piece of writing itself. As the Writing Center Coordinator, she supports student writers and facilitates the integration of writing instruction across the university through workshops and individual class instruction. 

Her current focus has been on understanding the relationship between generative AI and the writing process.

Research Interests

Generative AI and the writing process, AI as a collaborator 

Presentations/Conferences/Events

Abiad, N., Williams, J. “Generative AI in Teaching and Learning: An Education City-wide Faculty Panel Discussion” Moderator. Doha, Qatar, September 2024.

Abiad, N. “Imagery Unleashed: Exploring Descriptive Language with AI-Generated Art,” Workshop, European Writing Centers Association (EWCA) biannual conference, Limerick, Ireland, June 2024.

Abiad, N. “Imagery Unleashed: Exploring Descriptive Language with AI-Generated Art,” Workshop, IWCA Collaborative @ CCCC: Reckoning with Generative AI in our Writing Centers, Spokane, WA, USA, April 2024

Abiad, N., Fraser, L. M., Riley, B., Eames, L., Scott-Branch, J. “Chat Smarter: Academic Writing with Chat GPT,” Workshop, Qatar National Library Workshop Series, Doha, Qatar, September 2023.

Abiad, N., Hodges, A., Mari, S. “Capitalizing on Student Writers’ Linguistic and Cultural Heritage in Centers for Writing in English in the Middle East-North African Region,” Panel, International Writing Centers Association (IWCA) annual conference, Vancouver, Canada, October 2022. 

Professional Service

President, Middle East and North African Writing Centers Alliance (MENAWCA) 2024-Present

Executive Board, Middle East and North African Writing Centers Alliance (MENAWCA) 2019-Present

Conference Co-Chair, “Writing Centers Multidisciplinary & Multimodal Spaces for Engagement,” MENAWCA biannual conference, Doha, Qatar, February 2023.