W&L’s J.T. Torres Co-Authors New Book The director of the Harte Center for Teaching and Learning examines the relationship between critical thinking and writing.

By Lily Caldwell
March 11, 2025

J.T. Torres, director of the Houston H. Harte Center for Teaching and Learning at Washington and Lee University, recently co-authored a book with Suzanne S. Hudd, former professor of sociology at Quinnipiac University, Robert A. Smart, former professor of English at Quinnipiac, and Andrew Delohery, associate vice president of retention and academic success at Quinnipiac.

The book, titled “How to Use Writing for Teaching and Learning,” explores the interdisciplinary power of writing and its ability to promote deeper learning and problem solving. The authors outline how writing can help students prioritize information, translate understanding and analogize insights which facilitate learning and encourage students to engage with material. The participatory chapters provide actionable strategies and cognitive tasks that involve reading, writing and thinking for educators to implement into their classes.

“It was quite an experience to work with and learn from mentors who included my official supervisor and research/presentation partners who had years of experience and data they readily shared to guide my own professional development,” said Torres. “By the time we finished the book, both Bob and Suzanne began their phasing into retirement. The book serves as a capstone of their (and Andrew’s) amazing careers, and a catalyst for my own.”

Torres is in his first year at W&L. He previously worked at Quinnipiac as the director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. Torres earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Central Florida, a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Washington State University.

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