Writer and educator with 20 years’ experience directing educational programs that bring the arts and humanities to diverse audiences. Extensive experience teaching students of all ages and facilitating workshops, conferences, and narrative medicine sessions. Proven record of building community collaborations. Strong and effective communication skills with experience writing marketing, public relations, and creative pieces. Published work in poetry, nonfiction, and journalism in The Sun, Oxford American, RoleReboot, Washington Post, and elsewhere.
Certificate of Professional Achievement in Narrative Medicine, 2024
Columbia University
M.F.A. in Poetry and Fiction, 2002
James A. Michener Fellow
Michener Center for Writers
The University of Texas at Austin
M.A. in English, 1998
Charles Phelps Taft Fellow
University of Cincinnati
B.S. in English and Economics, 1989
Vanderbilt University
Clemente Course in the Humanities
Special Projects Advisor, 2023-present
Director of Alumni Programming, 2022-23
Director of Outreach and Engagement, 2017-22
Developed and led interdisciplinary team of educators in the project, “Best Practices for Teaching the Humanities to Adults,” leading to a comprehensive manual, website, and digital toolkits of teachers in any field, as well as faculty training and presentations at national conferences
Created programming for alumni across 35 sites, coordinating faculty and curriculum
Facilitated gatherings of academic directors and faculty across the country to support individual programs, share tools and expertise, and in 2020, problem solve in the transition from in-person to virtual classes
Oversaw development of communications and storytelling tools for national Clemente, including quarterly newsletter, 25th anniversary campaign, and fundraising materials
Free Minds Project
Curricular Lead/Creative Writing Faculty 2017-23
Director, 2007-16
Oversaw curriculum and faculty recruitment and training for free college humanities class for low-income adults who have faced barriers to education
Taught creative writing unit in the classroom
For almost a decade, directed all aspects of program, from staffing to fundraising to accreditation
Expanded program from pilot project to established and successful educational model with national reputation
Oversaw institutional move from The University of Texas to Foundation Communities
Developed community writing workshops and alumni programming; coordinated 10th anniversary event for more than 200 supporters and graduates
Managed diverse classroom environment and faculty from four different institutions
Collaborated on grant writing and funder relations, raising more than $400,000 in funds
Austin Community College
Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, 2008-present
Teach Introduction to Poetry, Introduction to Creative Nonfiction, and Free Minds creative writing unit
Served as advisor to “Strength Through Study: Powerful Women” program bringing literature and arts to incarcerated women
Completed "Celebration of Great Teaching" weekend-long workshop and training
The University of Texas at Austin
Michener Center for Writers
Visiting Instructor, Spring 2019
Co-developed and co-taught the graduate seminar, “Literary Citizenship: Teaching Writing for Social Change,” preparing students to bring the writing process into community settings
Course included extensive curriculum in teaching, community engagement, and workshop facilitation, and matched students with community organizations to provide free workshops to their constituents
The University of Texas at Austin
Office of Public Affairs
Feature Writer, 2002-07
Demonstrated university’s value to the public and community through feature-length stories published on university home page
Made sophisticated research and academic and cultural programs appealing to a broad audience of readers
Conducted all research and interviews and worked with photographers and graphic designers on story visuals
Austin Writes
Co-founder and Instructor, 2001-05
Offered creative writing workshops to adults in the community and taught writing to students in a variety of settings, including after-school programs, libraries, and Marywood School for teen mothers
Consulted with nonprofits, including Badgerdog, about community writing best practices
University of Cincinnati
Adjunct English Instructor, 1997-99
Taught all levels of rhetoric and composition, as well as Introduction to Literature and Twentieth Century World Fiction.
"How College and the Government Deny Poor Students a Second Chance," op-ed, Washington Post, August 2016
“Carrion de los Condes,” poem, Ruminate, 2015
“Signal 99,” short story, Atticus Review, 2015
“Food for the Journey,” Edible Austin, Summer 2015
“Why Angelina Jolie,” Role/Reboot, March 2015
“The Unique Challenges of Marrying in Midlife,” Role/Reboot, September 2012
“What Comes First,” article, Edible Austin, Winter 2012
“Woman on Trapeze,” poem, Borderlands, and on display at Blanton Museum of Art as selection of Blanton Poetry Project, 2008
“The Three Ages of Woman,” essay, The Sun magazine, December 2008
“Life Above the Superhighway,” essay, Oxford American magazine, Spring 2008
“The Ripple Effect: Promoting Poetry,” feature, 2007 Poet’s Market
“Opening Doors to Poetry,” feature, 2006 Poet’s Market
“Timeshare,” essay, Gettysburg Review, Spring 2004. Pushcart Prize nominee,
“5 Ways to Share Poetry with the World,” article, Writer’s Digest, April 2003
Weeks in This Country, poetry chapbook, Kent State University Press, 2000.
Workshop leader, "Entering the Conversation: Writing Op-eds," various locations and dates, pro bono, 2016-present,
Guest lecturer, "Poetry and Meaning Making," The Art of Being Human with David Springer, forthcoming April 2017
Panelist, "Finding Meaningful Work," St. Edward's University Honors Students, February 2017
Panelist, "How to Unite, Ignite, and Get It Right: Writing About Social Justice," Writer's League of Texas, February 2017
Panelist, "The Clemente Course in the Humanities: 20 Years of Community Partnerships," National Humanities Conference, November 2016
Panelist, "Writers Making a Difference," AWP Conference, April 2016
Guest instructor, Street Lit writing workshops for homeless individuals, February 2016
Workshop Leader, "Writing About Art: the Blanton Poetry Project," Blanton Museum, Winter 2013
Guest lecturer, "Poetry and Meaning Making," Community Engagement Lecture Series, 2012
Writing Instructor and Mentor, Veteran's Writing Project, Writer's Guild of America East Foundation, 2009-11
Ujamaa Heritage Award for Community Service, 12th Street East End Black Heritage Festival, 2014
Fellow, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, 2009
Writing Residency, Jentel Foundation, 2006
Michener Fellowship at the James Michener Center for Writers, 1999-2002