Where did you complete your Undergraduate Studies?
Roanoke College in Salem, VA
What degree are you working toward?
I am working toward a MFA in Creative Writing.
Why did you choose graduate school at IU Bloomington?
I chose IU Bloomington for graduate school because it has one of the top-rated, fully-funded programs in my field. The faculty are diverse, accomplished, award-winning writers who are also tremendously kind and accessible. I was struck by their dedication to creating a supportive community of writers in Bloomington, as well as their commitment to intellectual and artistic rigor. I also valued being in an environment with other POC writers producing work that interrogated identity and belonging. Further, I had the opportunity to visit during an Accepted Students’ Open House and connected with many of the current students in the program. It was helpful to hear that they felt like the program enriched their writing process and deepened their writing craft skills.
What's been your favorite academic accomplishment since you've been here?
So, I have two! I was honored to be awarded the Indiana University Writer-in-India Fellowship. The fellowship covered my travel to New Delhi, India and Kathmandu, Nepal to lead creative writing workshops for college and high school students. The itinerary included visits to historic and cultural sites, like the Taj Mahal, and once-in-a-lifetime moments like seeing the sun rise over the Himalayas. It was amazing! I was also excited to be hired as the nonfiction editor of Indiana Review, a highly regarded literary journal run by graduate students in the Creative Writing Department. The role gave me more editorial experience and fulfilled one of my career goals to help publish marginalized voices of emerging writers.
What do you enjoy most about life in Bloomington?
I appreciate the various different opportunities to experience art in Bloomington, including theatre, concerts, visual art shows and poetry and prose readings. I’m also grateful for the copious coffee shops and restaurants that are great food, study and gathering spots.
Indiana University Graduate School Bloomington resources and social media channels
