The Noel Studio for Academic Creativity is an integrated support service for writing, communication, and research. In other words, we help you develop and improve your communication projects and practices during what we call consultations.
PLEASE NOTE: Our online booking system will not allow students to schedule their own online consultation unless a full hour is available/open following the selected start time for the appointment
What is a Consultation and Who is Eligible?
Consultations are available both in-person on the EKU Richmond campus or online via Zoom. Consultations offer an opportunity to work one-on-one with a consultant who is trained to provide objective and constructive feedback on a variety of communication products, including written, aural/oral, and visual communication. Consultations typically focus on global issues, such as organization, development, and evidence/support.
We work with undergraduate and graduate students from all EKU colleges and departments, for both academic and non-academic communication projects. Whether you are struggling with a project or feel confident and just want some objective feedback, we are here to help! And it doesn’t matter if you’ve got a full draft or just an idea – we work with students at any stage of the communication process, from brainstorming to final revision, and every point in between. Working on a group writing or communication project? We can help with that, too! Just remember: group consultations are more productive if all group members are present and engaged.
What kinds of projects can I bring to the Noel Studio?
Essays, speeches, visual aids, websites (we can’t code, but we can help with the text and design choices), research posters, personal statements for graduate school and/or scholarships, and more. Not sure if we are the right place for your need? Just ask us!
What should I bring to my consultation?
What will my consultant do during a consultation?
Rather than merely identify and “fix problems,” consultants are trained to ask questions and offer friendly, objective feedback designed to help you develop ideas, inspire you to pursue multiple lines of thinking, and help you think more creatively and critically about your communication project. As such, you and your consultant both will be active and engaged participants in the consultation. Depending on your needs, consultation goals might include:
Do I have to have an appointment for a consultation or can I just drop in and work with a consultant?
We offer consultations by appointment and on a drop-in basis. Scheduled consultations are slotted for an hour, even if you aren’t sure you will need a full hour. Appointments can be scheduled in advance or same-day (depending on availability), but are always scheduled for one hour to guarantee students adequate time to make progress on their communication products; appointments never exceed one hour. Drop-ins can only be scheduled by our desk staff (in person in the Noel Studio, via phone at (859) 622-7330, and/or via the chat box available at studio.eku.edu).
Do I need to be present during an online consultation?
Yes. Similar to an on-campus consultation, your consultant will ask questions and offer friendly, objective feedback designed to help you develop ideas, inspire you to pursue multiple lines of thinking, and help you think more creatively and critically about your communication project. As such, you and your consultant both will be active and engaged participants in the consultation. And while it is helpful if you upload or provide a link to your assignment prompt and any work you have completed, Online Consultants do not review, proofread, or edit any documents prior to your consultation.
What internet browser and other technology should I use for an online consultation?
Zoom and Google Drive work with all browsers and on both PCs and Macs. Individuals use Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, and a few other browsers based on personal preference. While our Zoom includes a text-based chat feature, consultations are most effective if you have access to a webcam, headset, and microphone. If you do not have this technology—or reliable internet access—the regional campus sites might offer these technologies. Your local public library might also provide these technologies. Please make plans to access the necessary technology in advance of your consultation.
How do I share my project with the Consultant? What formats are compatible?
You can upload Word or text files (.DOC, .DOCX, .TXT formats) to the Appointment Form when you schedule your Online Consultation. If you are working with Pages, PowerPoint, or Excel, you will not be able to upload your file, but can copy/paste the content into the whiteboard area once you begin your consultation.