Harvard College Writing Program Director to Retire Amid Changes to Writing Resources

Thomas R. Jehn, the longtime director of the Harvard College Writing Program, retired Wednesday after nearly three decades at the University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences spokesperson James M. Chisholm confirmed Tuesday.

Jehn’s departure after roughly 17 years as director comes on the heels of major changes to writing resources at the College. Over the summer, the FAS overhauled its administrative structure, folding the Harvard College Writing Center into the Academic Resource Center and laying off its director, Jane Rosenzweig. The decision sparked outcry from Writing Center tutors, professors, and alumni.

As director, Jehn oversaw the program’s administration of Expository Writing, an introductory writing course that is mandatory for most first-year students. It is not immediately clear who will lead the program in the interim.

Chisholm said the program’s operations will continue as normal.

“We will appoint an interim director and conduct a national search for Tom’s permanent successor,” Chisholm wrote in a statement. “In the meantime, the Writing Program’s work will continue without interruption, and we do not anticipate any impact on its operations or the services it provides to students.”

Ian Shank, who teaches Expos at the College, said Jehn’s exit was both a surprise and a disappointment. Shank also said Jehn told preceptors his departure was his own choice.

“Everyone is sad to see him go, but I believe him when he says that he was not pushed out,” Shank said. “I’m happy to see him making the decision that’s best for him.”

Before becoming director, Jehn held several roles at Harvard, including preceptor in the Writing Program, head preceptor, director of the Harvard Extension School’s Writing Center, and assistant director of the Harvard Writing Project.

The Writing Program is also adjusting to the consolidation of the Writing Center into the ARC, which now houses Writing Center tutors.

The writing program has had to navigate its response to artificial intelligence amid broader debate over the use of AI in writing-intensive courses. Rosenzweig and preceptor Tad Davies led the development of an Expos module on AI.

Faculty have remained divided over the use of AI in writing-based courses.

Earlier this month, some expressed concern when College Dean David J. Deming suggested “AI acceptance or even encouragement” in courses that rely heavily on writing assignments. Deming has also said he aims to introduce College-wide AI guidelines by the end of the year.

In an email to faculty announcing Jehn’s retirement, Gillian Pierce, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education for Academic Programs & Policy, congratulated Jehn’s work and career at the college.

“I hope you will join me in celebrating Tom’s remarkable career and thanking him for his extraordinary contributions to Harvard’s teaching and learning community,” Pierce wrote.

—Staff writer Abigail S. Gerstein can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at abbysg.97. Follow her on X @abbysgerstein.

—Staff writer Amann S. Mahajan can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at amannsm.38. Follow her on X @amannmahajan.