Education
University of Arkansas | M.F.A. in Creative Writing | 2020-2024
Thesis: TBD
Iowa Writers’ Summer Workshop I Workshop with Lan Samantha Chang I 2019
Novel Project: Oyster Pond
Paris Writers’ Workshop I Workshop with Lan Samantha Chang I 2018
Novel Project: Oyster Pond
Lighthouse Writers Workshop I Book Project I 2016-2018
Novel/Project: Oyster Pond
University of Denver | B.A. in Creative Writing | 2011-2015
Thesis: Fishing with Sharks
Work Experience
Schedule workshops and classes for schools across Arkansas throughout the school year. Maintain a staff of 10-20 MFA students as visiting writers. Grow budget by applying to and upholding current grants. Monitor expenses, payroll, and overall budget. Publish and design annual anthology of students’ poetry. Develop relationships and maintain current relationships with schools throughout Arkansas. Foster new programs to improve reach and impact on the students of Arkansas.
Director | Arkansas Writers in the Schools | 2021 - Current
Graduate Teaching Assistant | University of Arkansas | 2020 - 2021
Teach two sections a semester of various classes within the Composition & Rhetoric Department and English Department, including Composition 1 and 2. Developed curriculum focused on student engagement and achievement within the parameters of Rhet & Comp objectives and guidelines. Enhanced learning by providing innovative, inspirational lesson plans and assignments that motivate and empower students. Foster a passion for learning in students that can serve them throughout their academic and professional careers. Create a community-based classroom environment that empowers students and gives them a safe space in which to thrive.
Creative Writing Instructor | Lighthouse Writers Workshop | 2016 - Current
Create original curriculum that fostered the student’s appreciation and knowledge of literature and writing with constructive activities, workshops, reading material and inclusive discussion. Offer meaningful feedback while helping students revise and edit their pieces in an encouraging, conducive workshop environment. Ensure every student left confident in their skills with a solid grasp of the lesson and a polished piece of writing. Conduct writing workshops in house at Lighthouse, at outreach programs throughout the city, and online through Zoom.
Interviews Editor | Arkansas Writers in the Schools | 2021 - Current
Plan and conduct interviews with emerging, established writers and publishers. Copyedit interviews.
Owner, Tutor & Mentor | Lilac Scholars | 2016 - 2021
Create original content in order to fill in the gaps within a student’s education and challenge them in new ways. Work with students from elementary to high school age and cater to their particular needs. Teach the fundamentals and beyond of writing, reading and analyzing within a Language Arts framework. Ensure students meet tutoring goals such as raising grades, improving writing skills and improving attitudes towards school. Employ academic counseling such as teaching organizational skills, planning skills and goal setting. Mentor students in creative writing to further their skills in creative writing and gain acceptance into DSA.
Assistant Creative Writing Teacher | Denver School of the Arts | 2019 - 2020
Instruct generative and workshop classes of writers ages 11 to 18 on craft, theory, and revision. Critique student work with helpful and encouraging feedback on revision and improvement. Manage classroom of 45+ students ensuring engagement and participation. Select and judge creative writing submissions for DSA’s creative writing program and Calliope, DSA’s literary and arts magazine.
Essay Judge | Denver Fortnightly Louise May Arps Contest | 2020
Read and evaluate High School students’ personal narrative essays. Choose winning essay and finalists. Introduce prize winners and attend awards ceremony.
Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow, March 2019
Truro Center for the Arts Edgewood Farm, Nov/Dec 2018
Residencies
James T. Whitehead Fellowship, University of Arkansas, 2022
Graduate Fellowship, University of Arkansas, 2020-2024