nyu creative writing mfa curriculum

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To apply online or for general application questions please visit the GSAS Application Resource Center .

Q: Do I have to take the GRE?

A: No. We do not require GRE test scores for admission to our graduate program.

Q: What fellowship opportunities are available to incoming students?

A: All incoming students to the Creative Writing Program receive Departmental Fellowships in the form of tuition scholarships. These fellowships offer at least half-tuition scholarships (8 credits per year) for both years , and many include an undergraduate teaching position during the second year. Recipients of these positions design and teach a semester-long introductory course in creative writing for undergraduates as well as attend a teaching practicum offered by the program. Compensation for teaching is approximately $8,400 per course. Many students also receive additional funding—including many fully-funded packages with generous stipends—through our other fellowship opportunities .

Q: What is the application deadline?

A: The annual application deadline is December 18. This information is included in the GSAS Application Resource Center's useful online publication, " Application Requirements and Deadlines for Departments and Programs ." Scroll to "Creative Writing." 

Q: Can I apply to more than one genre?

A: No, you must select either fiction, poetry, or nonfiction. It is not possible to submit simultaneous applications in multiple genres. If you apply to more than one program, your applications will not be considered.

Q: What if I change my mind about the genre I'm studying?

A: It is not possible to switch from one genre to the other unless you reapply to the program. Students apply—and are admitted into—either the fiction, nonfiction, or poetry program. Because of space limitations students are not permitted to take workshops in the alternate genre while studying here. Occasionally, with permission of the instructor and if there is sufficient room for enrollment, MFA students may have the option to take a craft course in a different genre.

Q: How many applicants do you have each year and how many are accepted?

A: We have approximately 1,000 applicants each year. Of these, approximately 20-30 students are accepted in each genre. At any one time, there are about 110 students attending our graduate program.

Q: When do we find out if we were accepted?

A: While it varies year to year, we're usually able to get the bulk of the notifications out in March.

Q: Do you have a waitlist?

A: We usually maintain a waitlist. Because the length and makeup of the waitlist varies each year, we cannot provide any further information about it and do not provide information about an applicant's place on the waitlist or chances of being accepted from it. Waitlisted applicants are notified about the status of their applications as soon as possible, but it may be as late as mid-summer.

Q: What is needed to reapply?

A: Those interested in reapplying to the program must resubmit ALL application materials, and pay the application fee. The Graduate School's admissions office will NOT maintain any application and supplementary materials from previous years.

Q: Can anyone take or audit your classes?

A: No, you must apply and be accepted to the Creative Writing Program to attend any of our classes. Students in other schools and programs at NYU are not permitted to enroll in our courses.

Q: Can I sit in on a class to check out the program?

A: Class visits can be arranged upon acceptance to the program.

Q: What is your ideal candidate? Are there any minimum requirements in order to be accepted?

A: There is no “ideal candidate.” Our students range greatly in cultural and educational backgrounds, ages, interests, and goals. You do not need to have studied English Literature or Writing so long as you have successfully completed a bachelor's degree. You do not need to have been previously published. While all portions of your application are reviewed and considered, there is no recommended or minimum GPA that we require. We are looking for strong, dedicated, original writers of exceptional promise.

Q: What should I include in the Academic Statement of Purpose?

A: The Statement of Purpose serves as your opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions committee and to state your interests and goals. Please include your reasons for applying to the program.

Q: What should be included on the resume?

A: The resume should list relevant educational and occupational experience. You may wish to include information about publications, workshops, and/or conferences you’ve attended, as well as anything else that may provide helpful information about your background for the admissions committee.

Q: Who should the letters of recommendation be from and how do I get them to you if the application is online only?

A: We recommend you request recommendation letters from professors, employers, mentors, and others who know you well and are able to comment on you and your work as a writer, teacher, reader, etc.. When you apply, you will be asked to include the names and emails of your recommenders so that they can submit a recommendation directly to your application. It is in your best interest to apply early to ensure that your recommender can either upload or send in their recommendation before the application deadline.

Q: How do I know if you've received my application materials?

A: NO PART of your application should be sent to the Creative Writing Program. This will only delay the process. All materials should be submitted online or sent to the Graduate School of Arts & Science admissions office. For more information about submitting your application or to track your application materials, please visit the GSAS Application Resource Center .

Q: Do you have a low-residency program option?

A: We offer a a Low-Residency MFA Program in Paris , which operates separately from our NY-based MFA program. For more information, including details on housing, costs, and the application process, please contact the NYU Creative Writing Program at 212-998-8816 or [email protected]. 

Q: Can I apply to both the NY-based MFA and the Low-Residency MFA Writers Workshop in Paris?

A: NYU only allows one active application per admissions cycle, so applicants must choose between the two programs. 

Q: I was not admitted to your program. Could you provide feedback on my application?

A: Given that we are only able to admit a small percentage of the very strong applicant pool, we are often unable to offer admission to good candidates. Aside from advising that the creative writing sample is the most important part of the application, it is a matter of department policy not to discuss the admissions decision process or offer feedback on individual applications. We encourage interested candidates to reapply to the program next year. According to Graduate School policy, applicants may apply up to three times, after which applications will be returned without review.

Creative Writing in Spanish (MFA)

Program description.

Due to its location in New York City, home to an important and diverse Latino and Latin American community, NYU is uniquely situated to offer a graduate Creative Writing Program in Spanish. New York has been a meeting point for Spanish and Latin American writers and journalists since the 19th century and a home to many of them. José Martí (Cuba), Gabriela Mistral (Chile), Federico García Lorca (Spain), Julia de Burgos (Puerto Rico), Francisco Ayala (Spain), Pedro Pietri (Puerto Rico) Manuel Ramos Otero (Puerto Rico), Manuel Puig (Argentina) and Reinaldo Arenas (Cuba), among many others, have in the past either settled in New York or spent extended periods of time there.

The end of the 20th century has seen this community of writers grow considerably both in visibility and cultural significance. Nowadays many Spanish and Latin American writers, such as Carmen Boullosa (Mexico), Cecilia Vicuña (Chile), Eduardo Lago (Spain), Mercedes Roffé (Argentina), Carmen Valle (Puerto Rico), and Roger Santiváñez (Peru) make of New York their temporary or permanent home.

Dada su ubicación privilegiada—la ciudad alberga a numerosas y diversas comunidades latinoamericanas—New York University es el lugar ideal para cursar un programa de escritura creativa en español. Desde el siglo XIX Nueva York viene atrayendo a escritores y periodistas españoles y latinoamericanos, y ha sido lugar de residencia de muchos de ellos. José Martí (Cuba), Gabriela Mistral (Chile), Federico García Lorca (España), Julia de Burgos (Puerto Rico), Francisco Ayala (España), Pedro Pietri (Puerto Rico), Manuel Ramos Otero (Puerto Rico), Manuel Puig (Argentina) y Reinaldo Arenas (Cuba), entre otros, vivieron en Nueva York o pasaron allí largas temporadas.

Esta comunidad de escritores ha aumentado considerablemente a lo largo del siglo veinte. Hoy son muchos los escritores hispanos que residen en esta ciudad o que alternan largas permanencias en ella con regresos a sus respectivos países, como Carmen Boullosa (México), Cecilia Vicuña (Chile), Eduardo Lago (España), Mercedes Roffé (Argentina), Carmen Valle (Puerto Rico) o Roger Santiváñez (Perú), para nombrar sólo algunos.

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the  general application requirements , which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores  (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation , and
• A non-refundable  application fee .

See Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Literatures for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

Master of fine arts thesis.

This program is a two-year program of 32 credits (i.e., eight courses, two per semester) and a creative writing thesis at the end. Workshops will be offered in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, theater, and translation. Additional workshops will be added to the program as needed.

At least two in the field in which the student plans to specialize.

May be in the Creative Writing Program, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, or in another department, with an adviser’s approval.

Additional Program Requirements

Students will also write a thesis with the counsel of a faculty member and a second reader at the second year of their course of study. Students write this final independent project consisting of between 50-80 pages for prose, 40-50 pages for theater or translation (including source and target languages), 30 pages for poetry. This final project may include, or may be an expansion of work begun during previous courses, but it should represent a culminating effort to shape stories, prose pieces, a long narrative, a literary translation or a group of poems into a coherent, self-sufficient work.

Sample Plan of Study

Learning outcomes.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

• Learn to write, read, and revise creative pieces including the following genres and forms: Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Theater, Literary Translation, Film Script, Hybrid Writing, Digital Writing. They will become proficient in copy-editing and style editing.
• Gain expertise in selection and organization of materials, and virtually proofreading, copy editing and style editing of literary texts submitted by participating as Committee Members and/or Board Members in the layout and contents supervision of Temporales , our MFA online magazine.
• Be able to teach Language courses in Spanish, including elementary and intermediate levels.
• Be able to study and revise the literary traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as that of Spain, and the USA, including those written and performed in Spanish, English and Spanglish.

NYU Policies

Graduate school of arts and science policies.

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages .

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page . 

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2024 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

By LivingUnderABigRock December 4, 2023 in Literary

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LivingUnderABigRock

The process begins , figured I would start a thread on here with a story.

I just submitted to one of my top choices with a letter that references another school! It's very brief and the rest of the letter references the correct school, but take this as a sign that mistakes happen and it's okay to give yourself some space! Always have someone else read over your letter and other materials. I must have gone over mine ten times and still missed this, despite checking everything else and keeping a mostly unique letter for each school. Who knows if this will be enough to deny me flat out, I'm sure my very poor writing will be enough lmao!

Either way, best of luck to everyone. December 15th is still a few weeks away, but would love to hear from how everyone's doing and share responses.

P.S: Seems like UTK is the first school most will hear any news about since they have a first and second round system. I have seen some hear on being moved to the second round as early as December 16th. Obviously not an acceptance but a good sign that there is some quality to your writing that a school might be interested in.

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February 29

Crying in front of two hundred construction workers and I can’t tell them why because they wouldn’t understand. But you people will.  Irvine!

mr. specific

February 20

Got into Michigan! Crazy. Just an email notification. Not complaining, but I thought they'd call. l

jadedoptimist

February 21

Oh my god guys. Oh my god. I'm on the Syracuse waitlist!!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone! I guess I'm just going to post my stats and schools... Talking about this process seems to make it a little less scary, and I've found some solace in reading through last year's thread, so it's only proper that I pay it forward.

I'm 22 years old and one year out of undergrad, where I got a BS in biology and minored in CW. I have one short story published in a lit magazine. I've only applied for fully-funded programs, all of them in fiction. Ten total! They're ASU, UMn, UW-M, UW-S, NAU, UNLV, UNLV-R, SFU, BSU, and OSU. 

I'm trying to temper my expectations--I realize it's extremely unlikely that I'll get into any of these programs--but I hope I get at least one 'a!' 

Wishing all of you the best of luck! 

just heard back from poetry faculty at UIUC that i’m on the waitlist!

i didn’t think i had a chance so this is great news!! still waiting to hear back from 7 other schools… wishing everyone so much luck :’)

EDIT: if anyone has any tips on waitlist formalities (i.e following up w/ the school) or any stories about being on MFA waitlists please let me know!

• seeleimraum , darr1 and triciadawn

Applied to 11 programs + a Hail Mary to Stegner and am now just anxiously awaiting results starting next month. I did: Indiana-Bloomington, UW-M, Michener, Zell, Iowa, NYU, Brown, JHU, UVA, Syracuse, Vanderbilt. This is my first year applying. I’m 36 and on my second career and have kids, I have low expectations for this year but also just want to know any information at all so I can know what my next year will look like. 

• BowserNintendo

Hey folks! Excited and scared out of my mind for this process and honored to be in your company. I’m 26, graduated in 2020 with a BA in Education and minor in Asian Studies. Applied to Brown, Cornell, Michigan, Michener, New Writer’s Project, Sarah Lawrence, Iowa, UMass Amherst, and UW-M for fiction and Northwestern for CNF. I have done minor literary stuff (published an essay and short story) but have never held a fellowship, internship, residency, etc or anything of the sort  

0a /0w/0r/10p

Good luck everyone! 

decayingballads21

Hi, all! I thought I'd help keep this thread going too after reading last year's thread! This will be my first year applying after contemplating for years (I've been a Draft lurker since 2016). Applied to Arkansas, Ole Miss, Minnesota State, BU, New School, Columbia, Hunter, and UNCG for fiction. And the usual suspects: Iowa, Michigan, UW-M, NYU. Very excited for results to come out! Best of luck to everyone! 

0a/0w/0r/12p

seeleimraum

~Hi folks, this is my second time applying to poetry MFA programs (first attempt was during undergrad 5 years ago): Iowa, UMichigan, Cornell, Vandy, UOregon, Indiana Univ, UC Irvine, Virginia Tech, UIdaho, UNCG, UMontana, USouth Carolina, UC Boulder.  0a/0w/0r/13p - biting my nails and ordering a weighted blanket in the meantime. Good luck y'all!~

Hey everyone, this is my first time applying as I'm finishing my undergrad this year! I applied in poetry to Cornell, Brown, Michigan, Iowa, Vanderbilt, Michener, Northwestern and Virginia. Good luck all!!!!

Wishing everybody the best this cycle!!

First time applicant, lurked for a couple years now. Have seen enough amazing writers apply multiple years that I’m keeping my expectations healthy 😅 Applying in poetry to Iowa, Michigan, Syracuse, Indiana, Minnesota, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Michener, Arizona, and UC-Irvine.

0a/0w/0r/10p

I see a lot of people applying to UofM I know it's a great program, but does anyone have any insight as to if their admissions team favors in-state residents? I have seen sources say that for undergraduate UofM is twice as likely to admit someone from Michigan rather than an out-of-state student, and I wonder if this carries over in some ways? 

Would be good to know if this is true with other schools as well. Or maybe it would make people more anxious to know that this has an effect! haha

Either way, Best of luck to everyone!

• Jim VK and decayingballads21

3 hours ago, BasilicaHands said: I see a lot of people applying to UofM I know it's a great program, but does anyone have any insight as to if their admissions team favors in-state residents? I have seen sources say that for undergraduate UofM is twice as likely to admit someone from Michigan rather than an out-of-state student, and I wonder if this carries over in some ways?    Would be good to know if this is true with other schools as well. Or maybe it would make people more anxious to know that this has an effect! haha   Either way, Best of luck to everyone!    

I don’t think location is a factor in MFA admissions. The most important thing is your writing sample. 

bluebikeyikes

Hi everyone! I'm applying to 7 programs for CNF in the U.S.: OSU, SAIC, Wash U., Northwestern (MFA + MA), Oregon State, U. of Pittsburgh, and U. of Washington. I've also applied to all three programs in Canada. Best of luck everyone! 

0A/0W/0R/11P

18 hours ago, bluebikeyikes said: Hi everyone! I'm applying to 7 programs for CNF in the U.S.: OSU, SAIC, Wash U., Northwestern (MFA + MA), Oregon State, U. of Pittsburgh, and U. of Washington. I've also applied to all three programs in Canada. Best of luck everyone!  0A/0W/0R/11P

Hey everyone!  bluebikeyikes, glad to see another CNF applicant. I’m applying to all those US schools as well (just not u Washington)

Best of luck to everybody! 

justasmidge

Also wishing the best for everyone this cycle! 

First time applicant, but if I got in, this would be my second master's. I got my first one ten years ago and am happy to have a career that I love in transportation policy and planning. But I've always loved to write and after attending a few writing workshops last year, I feel it's time to make good on that. What has been fascinating about this admissions process is that there is a lot of camaraderie and a really good spirit of people wanting to help others out. I can certainly say that for public administration back when I was applying in 2012, I didn't know any of my fellow applicants. It is certainly a very welcome difference : D 

I'm specifically applying to NYC-based programs as I'm in a position in my career where I can't leave, both for professional and financial reasons. Thankfully, I'm used to a schedule where chaos reigns as I also was a full-time student with a full-time job during my first master's degree and used to be a campaign organizer where I was working 80+ hour weeks. I know it's going to be a lot but if I get in, I'll figure it out. 

I'm applying to fiction tracks of NYU, Columbia, Stony Brook, Brooklyn, The New School, Sarah Lawrence, Hunter, and City College of New York. 

Does anyone else wish that they could put down musicians as writing influences? I honestly would love to put Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus down because they've really inspired me but I don't want to veer too off course. 

• SarahRuth and triciadawn

2 hours ago, decayingballads21 said: Hey everyone!  bluebikeyikes, glad to see another CNF applicant. I’m applying to all those US schools as well (just not u Washington) Best of luck to everybody! 

Wow, that's great! I'm glad to see another CNF applicant applying to these programs as well!

1 minute ago, bluebikeyikes said: Wow, that's great! I'm glad to see another CNF applicant applying to these programs as well!

Me too!! I haven’t seen many. How are you feeling about your apps and the whole process?? Idk why I’m more nervous bc I feel like there’s less CNF applicants but also feel like everyone’s amazing so idk. I’m scared!! But excited. But scared!

9 minutes ago, decayingballads21 said:   Me too!! I haven’t seen many. How are you feeling about your apps and the whole process?? Idk why I’m more nervous bc I feel like there’s less CNF applicants but also feel like everyone’s amazing so idk. I’m scared!! But excited. But scared!

I'm definitely feeling anxious as well! I only have one app left (U of Washington Bothell) and it's wild to think that OSU might get back to us in as soon as ten days! I'm scared haha. But also excited to meet more amazing writers no matter my next step looks like!

Just now, bluebikeyikes said: I'm definitely feeling anxious as well! I only have one app left (U of Washington Bothell) and it's wild to think that OSU might get back to us in as soon as ten days! I'm scared haha. But also excited to meet more amazing writers no matter my next step looks like!

It’s nice to meet you!! And I wish you the best of luck.

I know I’m literally so nervous about OSU. That’s my top program 😭 fingers crossed for us!!  what are your top programs? 

34 minutes ago, decayingballads21 said: It’s nice to meet you!! And I wish you the best of luck. I know I’m literally so nervous about OSU. That’s my top program 😭 fingers crossed for us!!  what are your top programs? 

It's nice to meet you too! And yes, best of luck, OSU is a great program! I hope we get in : )

Honestly, I would be grateful to get any fully funded offer as I only applied to schools that I'm excited for. Right now, I'm slightly leaning towards Northwestern and U of Washington as they have MFA + MA and I'm interested in integrating critical/theoretical aspects into my writing

On 1/12/2024 at 3:32 PM, justasmidge said: Also wishing the best for everyone this cycle!  First time applicant, but if I got in, this would be my second master's. I got my first one ten years ago and am happy to have a career that I love in transportation policy and planning. But I've always loved to write and after attending a few writing workshops last year, I feel it's time to make good on that. What has been fascinating about this admissions process is that there is a lot of camaraderie and a really good spirit of people wanting to help others out. I can certainly say that for public administration back when I was applying in 2012, I didn't know any of my fellow applicants. It is certainly a very welcome difference : D  I'm specifically applying to NYC-based programs as I'm in a position in my career where I can't leave, both for professional and financial reasons. Thankfully, I'm used to a schedule where chaos reigns as I also was a full-time student with a full-time job during my first master's degree and used to be a campaign organizer where I was working 80+ hour weeks. I know it's going to be a lot but if I get in, I'll figure it out.  I'm applying to fiction tracks of NYU, Columbia, Stony Brook, Brooklyn, The New School, Sarah Lawrence, Hunter, and City College of New York.  Does anyone else wish that they could put down musicians as writing influences? I honestly would love to put Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus down because they've really inspired me but I don't want to veer too off course.   

Hey, fellow NYC schools applicant here! I used to live in the city and I’ve been dying to move back!   

Hi everyone!

Longtime(ish) lurker finally compelled to make an account. It's awfully quiet in here and the wait is grating. I am a first-time applicant to fiction programs. I hope everyone is holding up well. Sending you all good luck!

sunnysequoia

Hello everyone! Lovely to see fellow nonfiction candidates here. I'm nearly 27, five years out of undergrad where I completed my B.A. in English with a Creative Writing Emphasis, and a first-time applicant.

I'm applying to what may be an excessive number of 16 programs LOL. I was torn between pragmatically wanting full funding and the fantasy of pursuing my writing dreams in New York. Even after acknowledging that it wouldn't be smart to pursue an MFA in a program where I'd be worrying about outrageously high living costs and massive debt, I couldn't bring myself to not apply to my New York schools. In the end, I figured I might as well apply, and if I get in, I can decide then whether I can make it work.

My fully funded schools are: UMass Amherst, Rutgers U Camden (full funding available but not guaranteed), U of Pittsburgh, Ohio State, Miami U, U of Minnesota, U of Iowa, Wash U St. Louis, U of Arizona, and Oregon State. The rest are Sarah Lawrence, Hunter College, NYU, The New School, U of San Francisco, and SF State. (I did rule out Columbia due to the enormous class size, lack of funding, and ludicrous $110 application fee. The last was also the case for NYU, and I applied there only after I received a fee waiver for another school. I decided that I wasn't going to apply to two schools with such an exorbitantly high fee that they feel entitled to charge just because they are a private, for-profit university, and I preferred NYU over Columbia.)

I'm three-quarters of the way done with my applications. Only ones left are Rutgers, Hunter, USF, and SFSU with deadlines through mid-February. I'm so mentally checked out at this point that I'm just not stressing over my remaining ones LOL, especially since 3 of them are for non-fully funded programs. I likely won't apply to them on the off chance that I am accepted into any fully funded program before their respective deadlines.

Good luck to everyone in this process!

0a/0w/0r/12p/4 still applying  🙃

• Chex and triciadawn

There was a fiction acceptance in draft just posted, for Ohio state. Does anyone know if fiction, poetry and CNF acceptances come out separately or at the same time? I’m so nervous 

46 minutes ago, decayingballads21 said: There was a fiction acceptance in draft just posted, for Ohio state. Does anyone know if fiction, poetry and CNF acceptances come out separately or at the same time? I’m so nervous 

According to the notification spreadsheet from last year, it looks like results for CNF & poetry came out around the 19th over a few days, with acceptances coming out first, then waitlists, then rejections for all genres on the 25th. No results for fiction acceptances in the spreadsheet, as far as I can see. 

3 hours ago, Chex said: Hi everyone! Longtime(ish) lurker finally compelled to make an account. It's awfully quiet in here and the wait is grating. I am a first-time applicant to fiction programs. I hope everyone is holding up well. Sending you all good luck!  

I know it’s been so quiet this year compared to previous cycles! Best of luck to you too! Where did you apply? 

• GoldenTree and Chex

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Meet the CFA

Charlton mcilwain.

Vice Provost for Faculty Development, Pathways & Public Interest Technology

[email protected]

De Angela Duff

Associate Vice Provost

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she/her/hers

De Angela is an Associate Vice Provost at NYU and Industry Professor in Integrated Design & Media at NYU Tandon. In her role as Associate Vice Provost, De Angela works closely with Vice Provosts Charlton McIlwain and Clay Shirky. She serves a leadership role in setting and executing the strategic vision for the Faculty Resource Network (FRN) in collaboration with the Vice Provosts’ team, the CFA, and FRN member institution liaisons. She aides and reviews work on technology-enhanced education with a particular focus on schools developing or managing online undergraduate courses or degree programs. She also assists with other leadership or teaching & learning initiatives, managed by the Office of the Provost. She holds an MFA in Studio Art (Photography) from Maryland Institute College of Art (MiCA), a BFA in Graphic Design from Georgia State University, and a BS in Textiles from Georgia Tech.

Usheevii King

Assistant Vice Provost

[email protected]

Usheevii (U-she-va) serves as the primary liaison between the Center and NYU’s Schools, Colleges, Campuses and Units through the University Faculty Affairs Council. Further, she  represents the Vice Provost with internal and external constituents when necessary, and is responsible for ensuring that all the affairs of the Center are consistent with its mission to advance faculty professional success and achievement in the areas of faculty recruitment, development and engagement. Additionally, she is a subject matter expert in the area of diversity, inclusion, & equity. Prior to joining NYU, Usheevii served as Deputy Diversity Officer at her alma mater, New York Law School. There, she assisted the law school in developing and implementing its first Institutional Diversity Plan while managing all aspects of faculty development, governance, recruitment and retention.

Michael McCaw

Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Appointments

[email protected]

As a "second-generation" higher education administrator and a proud native of the Bronx, Mike has held numerous roles at NYU, including faculty affairs management, student advisement, curriculum development, human resources, and project management. He currently serves as the Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Appointments in the Provost’s Office (OAA) in which he is a subject matter expert on matters related to faculty lifecycle and milestone events across all NYU campuses. He is the institutional administrator for the Interfolio faculty information system and oversees strategic academic initiatives and academic project management.

Mike is a record-tying four-time Chairperson for the NYU Administrative Management Council (AMC) and the founder of the AMC Professional Development Committee. He was recognized with NYU’s Distinguished Administrator Award in 2019 and with Prospanica NY’s inaugural “Top Latino Leader Under 40” award for his contributions to mentoring in higher education.

Niyati Parekh

Associate Vice Provost of Faculty Initiatives & Professor of Public Health Nutrition

[email protected]

Niyati works closely with Charlton McIlwain, Vice Provost of Faculty Engagement and Development, and the CFA, to manage programs that expand pathways for early career faculty. She leads the Early Career Faculty Institute, welcoming its first cohort in fall 2021.

Niyati is a Professor of Public Health Nutrition , School of Global Public Health (GPH), where her research and teaching are motivated by a deep commitment to reduce nutrition-related disease outcomes in at-risk groups. At GPH, Niyati held two key leadership roles. She served as the inaugural Director of the Public Health Nutrition-MPH program and as the Executive Director of Doctoral Programs. She developed a vision for both programs, expanded student enrollment, and developed an innovative curriculum and professional development workshops.

Niyati earned a BS in Life Sciences and Biotechnology, and an MS in Foods, Nutrition, and Clinical Dietetics, from Mumbai University, India. She earned a PhD in Nutritional Sciences (minor Population Health Sciences) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison.

Senior Director for Pathways Strategy, Implementation, and Outreach

[email protected]

Corey Blay is Senior Director for Pathways Strategy, Implementation, and Outreach. In this role, Corey collaborates with university stakeholders and external partners to develop a comprehensive strategy to build new, and expand existing, pathway programs across NYU that enable students from middle school through secondary, post-secondary, and postgraduate options, and into the labor market to be fully equipped to aspire to, pursue, and achieve their college and career aspirations. Corey also supervises the College & Career Lab.

Previously, Corey was a founding member of the NYU Leadership Initiative (now NYU Changemaker Center), where he created numerous leadership programs for students across the university, and an adjunct professor at NYU Wagner, teaching courses for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Corey received his BA from the University of Chicago and graduated with a dual MBA/MPA from New York University. He was named the 2014 Commencement Student Speaker. A proud Violet, Corey serves as a Vice President of the NYU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Autumn plans and implements faculty development and enrichment programs for the NYU community and Faculty Resource Network (FRN) partner institutions. Through the FRN, she oversees a domestic Student Exchange Program, a partnership between NYU, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Prior to joining NYU in 2014, Autumn worked in the nonprofit sector, specifically in fundraising; program development and execution; and major events. Her tenure in education includes work with first-generation, low-income students, improving student outcomes and college access from high school to college. Autumn earned an MSW degree from NYU Silver School of Social Work, and a BA degree in psychology and women’s studies from Skidmore College. In addition to her work across NYU schools, her passion for mental health and extensive training in evidence-based treatments led to her licensure to practice psychotherapy in New York State.

Program Director of College & Career Lab

[email protected]

DeeSoul Carson currently serves as the Program Administrator of College & Career Lab. He graduated from Stanford University in 2021 with a B.A. in Social/Cultural Psychology and brings with him several years of clerical, administrative, and educational experience.

Additionally, DeeSoul is currently a graduate student in the NYU Creative Writing MFA Program, honing and developing his skills as both a poet and educator. You can find more about him and his work at deesoulpoetry.com

Program Administrator of College & Career Lab

[email protected]

Cassandra joined New York University in 2006 as a student assistant in Registration Services while earning her Bachelor of Arts in Social and Cultural Analysis. Since joining NYU full-time in 2010, she has held various roles in faculty affairs, curriculum development, and human resources. In her current role in the Office of Academic Appointments, she manages and supports NYU faculty information systems. Additionally, Cassandra is a resource for matters concerning the faculty life cycle, hiring, promotion, tenure, and applicant tracking systems. Cassandra is passionate about population health research and earned her Master’s in Public Health from NYU in 2018 with an emphasis on social determinants of health disparities. Recently, she has pivoted her focus to data-driven solutions and is completing an Advanced Certificate in Public Health Data Science.

Senior Associate Director for Faculty Data, Office of Academic Appointments

[email protected]

Anthony Cruz is our new Administrative Aide. He graduated from NYU in 2023 with a BA from Steinhardt’s Education Studies program and is excited to combine his clerical and administrative experience with his passion for higher education. Anthony is also passionate about advocating for students and currently serves on the governing boards of the Nassau County and New York State PTA.

Administrative Aide

[email protected]

Selly Djap conducts UI/UX research; and utilizes the latest data analysis and visualization tools to help articulate program narratives linking mission to impact. She conceptualizes the brand identity and creates visual assets—from logo design to website development—for the Center’s programming including College & Career Lab , Early Career Faculty Institute , Alliance for Public Interest Technology , Faculty Resource Network , and Big Ideas Course Series .   Prior to joining NYU, Selly founded her own fashion line: a contemporary, Christian evening-wear brand focused on sharing the message of Grace and creating empowering clothing for women. She is proud to share some of her accomplishments such as showcasing her designs at New York Fashion Week and being featured on Teen Vogue.   Selly graduated from NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study with an BA concentration in data analytics and visualization, as well as a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. She is currently pursuing her MBA at NYU Stern.

Junior Research Analyst, Data Impact Assessment & Visualization

[email protected]

she/her/they/them

Ashley Gerhardt is a project administrator thrilled to return to NYU and the Office of the Provost. Prior to this role, Ashley worked as an administrative aid in the Office of the Provost, working closely with former Deputy Provost Cybele Raver on the Cross-Cutting Initiative on Inequality. After joining the staff of the Dean's Office in the Graduate School of Arts and Science as the Events and Projects Administrator, Ashley transitioned to a role at a non-profit working nationally to increase college access for underserved students. She graduated from Muhlenberg College with a B.A. in Theater Performance Studies.  She's currently enrolled in an MPA program at NYU.

Project Administrator

[email protected]

Dr. Gillian Gualtieri-Miller is a sociologist specializing in the study of inequality and organizations. She holds a BA from Kenyon College and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. After her graduate training, she held postdoctoral fellowships at New York University and Vanderbilt University. Her research has been published in  Social Problems, Sociological Forum, Poetics, and  Management Business Review, among others, and her research collaborations with various community partners have resulted in several whitepapers, policy reports, programs, and curriculum development for students, professionals, and practitioners.

Director, Faculty Cluster Initiative

[email protected]

Sharon works closely with instructors to design technology-enhanced education, and specializes in storytelling and video. For more than 7 years, she has produced course content for online and hybrid teaching environments, and multimedia content for communications and training across NYU. Prior to working in educational design, Sharon was a journalist and documentary filmmaker for NOVA, the American Museum of Natural History, and ABC News among others. She was awarded a Knight Science Journalism fellowship at MIT from 2000-2001. She earned an MA in Journalism from NYU, and a BA in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Michigan.

Communications Manager

[email protected]

Dave is a technology specialist with 16 years of experience in design and development for applications, games, simulations, and websites. His responsibilities include X-Reality (eXtended Reality - VR, AR, MR), and expansion efforts for CFA’s iTLAB - Immersive Technology Lab. He provides training, guidance, and mentorship for virtual reality, as well as workshops, presentations, and content creation for immersive experiences, along with growing iTLAB. He attended the School of the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, Massachusetts, studying film and animation.

Director, Immersive Technology Lab (iTLAB)

[email protected]

As a seasoned administrator with 19 years of professional experience at NYU, Melissa has held several administrative leadership roles in the Faculty of Arts and Science, as Department Administrator for Steinhardt's Department of Media, Culture, and Communication, and most recently as Chief of Staff to the Dean at Steinhardt. Melissa earned an MA in Higher Education Administration from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, and a BA degree in Liberal Arts from The New School in NYC. She is also currently enrolled in the Masters of Human Resource Management and Development in NYU’s School of Professional Studies.

Director of Business & Operations

[email protected]

Alexandria manages internal and industry relationships to kick-start or scale initiatives in strategic alignment with the goals of CFA. With over a decade of experience, she thrives in the highly entrepreneurial space at CFA and excels at forging connections to turn visions into reality, aligning them with NYU and CFA's objectives. From ideation to implementation, she leads projects while implementing assessment measures for improvement. Previously, she designed and directed the College and Career Lab, NYU's signature post-secondary awareness program which she actively oversees the implementation and partnership development for. She managed the NYU at Weber Shandwick Masters in Residence initiative at Steinhardt’s department Media, Culture, and Communication. Her work centers on closing equity gaps to education and professional outcomes for historically excluded populations. Alexandria holds a BA in Organizational Communication from Middle Tennessee State University and an MA in International Education from NYU. She is currently an MBA candidate at NYU Stern School of Business with a specialization in Strategy, Technology and Change Management.

Director of Strategic Initiatives & Community Engagement

[email protected]

Kim is a seasoned NYU 'boomerang employee' who has held positions at NYU since 2012. She currently serves as a System Lead & Analyst at the Center for Faculty Advancement. For over seven years Kim has been administrator for the NYU Scholars Program, and more recently joined the Interfolio Team to focus on the global implementation of the Faculty 180 module. Additionally, Kim supports broader efforts related to faculty lifecycle and milestone activities across all NYU campuses. Previously Kim collaborated with the NYU Office of Sustainability to spearhead NYU's IT Sustainability Initiative, and remains passionate about the University's ongoing efforts and strong commitment to sustainability. She completed her BA in Anthropology from Rutgers University, and earned an MS in Sustainable Systems from Slippery Rock University.

Assistant Director, Faculty Information Systems Operations

[email protected]

he/himself/latinx

César is a multimedia producer and technologist who creates content to support teaching and learning, professional development programs, and educational institutional events. He supports the pre-production, production, post-production, and delivery process in its entirety with loving care.

César has distinguished himself as an educator for several New York City under-resourced neighborhoods and minoritized public schools. He is an active member of the computing/digital maker movement and the raspberry pi community in particular.

Web Content Manager

[email protected]

Katie designs and facilitates engaging learning experiences and communication strategies for faculty and administrative audiences in partnership with the Office of Academic Appointments. With over 14 years of experience working in the unique cross-section of technology, education, and employee development, she has expertise in learning experience design, digital accessibility, communication campaigns, user experience design, and content strategy. Katie is also passionate about employee advocacy and currently serves as a Senator in the University Senate and is an active member of the Administrative Management Council. Katie holds a BA in International Affairs and MPA in Organizational Management from The George Washington University, as well as a MA in Digital Media Design for Learning from NYU Steinhardt.

Manager, Faculty Information Systems Training and Communications

[email protected]

Andrew is an extended reality software engineer and supports the expansion efforts of the CFA’s Immersive Technology Lab. For over six years, he has worked at the forefront of interactive software blending art, design, and computer science together creating immersive XR solutions for all industries. He has extensive experience working hand in hand both in public and private sectors educating and training all levels of XR technology. Andrew has also designed and developed a wide range of applications including educational augmented reality apps, multi-user VR training simulations, and web-based art exhibits. He studied screenwriting and directing at the University of Art in San Francisco, California. With his background in film combined with a passion for technology, Andrew is constantly pushing to expand his work past the traditional methods of storytelling and onto the frontiers of interactive art.

Experiential Designer, Interactive Development & XR Technology

[email protected]

Brenda specializes in the design and development of WordPress websites and Google Sites, drawing on her extensive knowledge of HTML, CSS, and other web technologies and tools. After graduating from NYU with a BA in journalism, she worked in the fields of book publishing, technical and business writing, computer training, and website publication, making a career change to web development in 2016. Brenda returned to NYU as a full-time IT consultant in 2017, and became an employee of the University in 2019.

Senior Web Developer

[email protected]

Jonathon specializes in 3D animation, motion graphics, and multimedia design. He began working with NYU in Feb 2016, and has worked on a variety of projects to help advance pedagogy within courses that have a heavy foundation for visual graphics and interactive content including extensive work for the Dental School showcasing a variety of 3D content. Along with his work at NYU, Jonathon keeps busy making music videos and creating clothing. He has a  BFA in Animation and Interactive Design from East Carolina University.

Multimedia Producer—Video, Design & Animation

[email protected]

Danielle Wendricks is a High School Application and Postsecondary Counselor for College and Career Lab. Through her experiences advising, and teaching at NYCDOE high schools, New York nonprofits, and the University of Wisconsin, she has worked with all types of students ranging from age five to age seventy-five. She is passionate about education as a means to social change. Dani has a BS in Community and Nonprofit Leadership and History from the University of Wisconsin, and is working on her MSW at NYU SIlver School of Social Work.

High School Application/ Postsecondary Counselor

[email protected]

Siyun is a data enthusiast who is passionate about solving problems utilizing data science, statistics and storytelling. She specializes in survey design, data visualization, higher education data domains, and statistical modeling. In her current role, she manages the data and reporting for Interfolio faculty information system and Explorance Blue course evaluation. Siyun holds a BA in Educational Studies and Chemistry from Colgate University, a MA in Higher and Post-Secondary Education from Teachers College at Columbia University, and she is currently pursuing a MS in Applied Statistics for Social Science Research at NYU Steinhardt.

Senior Reporting Analyst

[email protected]

Contact the CFA

Center for Faculty Advancement

411 Lafayette St, 6th floor New York NY 10003 United States

[email protected]

212-998-2987

The NYU Game Center MFA is a 2-year Master of Fine Arts degree in Game Design. Located within NYU’s famous Tisch School of the Arts, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other forms of art, media, and culture. Our students study the design and development of games in a context of advanced critical literacy, with the goal of becoming game designers and developers, artists and curators, critics and scholars.  After an intensive first-year of fundamentals and advanced game design and development coursework, your second year will focus on a year-long thesis project that will propel you into the game industry.

NYU Game Center Students

Search NYU Steinhardt

Master of Fine Arts Studio Art

Earn your mfa in nyc.

Study with accomplished artists and scholars within an interdisciplinary setting. This two-year degree provides you with private studios and access to facilities in painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography, digital media, and sculpture.

Degree Details

Official degree title.

Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art

Degree Overview

Your academic experience.

Our MFA is dedicated to assisting artists in developing their work through an approach that is intensely introspective while collectively open to the challenges and issues of the larger world. We ask you to consider, both critically and irreverently, your own practices and assumptions, as well as those of the contemporary art world. Designed to be small, the degree provides ample opportunity for individual attention and critique. We are nonrestrictive and encourage you to work with whatever media or formal means best suit your ideas.

Student Learning Outcomes

Analyze and examine the process of artistic production through guidance and critique with faculty, visiting artists, curators and critics.

Develop critical thinking as it applies to the conceptual and aesthetic foundation of individual studio practice. 

Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing the link between theory and individual artistic practice with specific attention to historical and cultural contexts.

Synthesize critique and intellectual reflection into individual artistic production, culminating in a thesis exhibition of contemporary and critical relevance.

During the course of study, you will engage in a team-taught interdisciplinary critique class each semester, as well as one full afternoon each week of individual studio meetings with visiting artists, full-time faculty, and visiting faculty.

Students study with faculty who are acclaimed artists, critics, and writers with diverse interests and disciplines who see teaching as an integral part of an ongoing and influential creative practice. We draw our faculty from the surrounding New York art world, and the deeply engaged relationship between them and our students represents the core of our MFA community.  

MFA studios and facilities are located in the Department of Art and Art Professions' six-story Beaux-Arts Building at 34 Stuyvesant Street in the East Village. Students have the opportunity to exhibit their work during Open Studios as well as in solo installations and group shows at the Art Department’s 80WSE Gallery .

MFAs have private studios and access to facilities for sculpture, printmaking, painting, drawing, ceramics, metalsmithing, sewing, photography, fabrication, and digital printing.

Learn more about NYU studio facilities .

If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact [email protected] .

MFA Exhibitions

Students have the opportunity to exhibit their work during Open Studios as well as in solo installations and group shows at the Art Department’s  80WSE Gallery .

View a full list of department exhibitions and events.

Visiting Artist Lectures

Every year, our MFA students organize a series of Visiting Artist Lectures.

2023–24 artists include  Matt Jones, Jack Pierson, Jason Fox, Tschabalala Self, Oscar yi Hou, Keltie Ferris, Kathy Ruttenberg, Virginia Lee Montgomery, Farah Al Qasimi, and Anne Libby .

Art and Art Professions

Barney Building 34 Stuyvesant Street, New York, NY 10003 212-998-5700 [email protected]

Take the Next Step

Advance your personal and professional journey – apply to join our community of students.

Writing Studio

2024 undergraduate creative writing symposium program, schedule-at-a-glance: undergraduate creative writing symposium (wednesday, april 10).

Follow the links in the schedule below or scroll down for the full program of  presenters, which includes their bios and abstracts.

• 3:00-3:15: Welcome and Opening Remarks
• 3:15-4:10: Spotlight Panel (fiction, nonfiction, and poetry)
• 4:15-5:00: Session 1 – Panel A (fiction) and Panel B (nonfiction)
• 5:15-6:00:   Session 2 – Panel C (poetry)

From 3:00-6:00 pm. all attendees are encouraged to make time to peruse the adjoining Vanderbilt Undergraduate Arts Showcase .

Additional Event Links

• Coming Soon! Read all featured creative writing pieces on the UCWS 2024 Online Creative Writing Gallery
• Coming Soon! Visit the Arts Showcase’s portfolio page to view the incredible works created by undergraduate students.

Full Schedule: Undergraduate Creative Writing Symposium (Wednesday, April 10)

When: Wednesday, April 10, 3:00-6:00 PM | Where: Alumni Hall, 2nd Floor

3:00-3:15 : Opening Remarks by Major Jackson , Professor of English & Director of Creative Writing Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair in the Humanities

3:15-4:10 : spotlight panel (alumni hall, room 206).

• Faculty Panel Chair: Justin Quarry (English)
• Panelists: Liam Betts  ’24  (poetry), Elyse Sparks  ’24  (nonfiction), Avery Fortier  ’24  (fiction)

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Spotlight Panel - Abstracts and Author Bios

Liam betts ’24:  the waves of light.

• Presenter Bio :  Liam Betts is a senior double majoring in computer science and english. He is originally from Portugal, but now lives in Pleasanton, California. He is the president of VandyWrites and prose editor for The Vanderbilt Review. His story The Waves of Light was selected as First Runner-Up for The Dell Magazines Award for Undergraduate Excellence in Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing in 2024.
• Abstract: The Waves of Light is a neo-Victorian story that reimagines Charles Darwin’s voyage aboard The Beagle to include his two young children, William and Anne. When circumstances thrust both siblings into an odyssey from the Atlantic to London, Anne is forced to reckon with a strange metamorphosis. While William performs street magic to keep them alive, Anne studies and experiments, dreaming of becoming a natural philosopher in nineteenth century England, a world where every door is closed to her. The story is told in the form of a letter from Anne to her father.

Elyse Sparks ’24:  The Golden Child

• Presenter Bio : Elyse Sparks in a member of the class of 2024.
• Abstract: The Golden Child is centered around my mental health struggles, sexuality, and my relationship with my pastor parents. I explore how my mom, despite her religious views that seemingly contradict loving a gay child, has stood by my side in a decade-long fight with major depression. Through coming out and hospitalizations and hard conversations, I have watched my mother grow into my biggest advocate.

Avery Fortier ’24: A Clean Mind

• Presenter Bio: Avery is a member of the class of 2024.
• Abstract: This is a piece of fictional prose meant to prompt consideration of mental health experiences across contexts and roles. I wanted to reflect the importance of protecting those responsible for treating others’ health as well as those who more obviously fall into the role of “patient.”

4:15-5:00 : Session 1

• Faculty Panel Chair: Fatima Kola (Medicine, Health, and Society)
• Panelists: Sawyer Sussner  ’24 , Shadhvika Nandhakumar  ’24 , Claire Marie Tate  ’24 , Sanat Malik  ’24
• Faculty Panel Chair:  Sandy Solomon (English)
• Panelists: Molly Buffenbarger  ’24, Franklin Udensi ’27 , Sarah Wermuth ’27 , and TaMyra Johnson ’27

Panel A - Abstracts and Author Bios

Sawyer sussner ’24: power to the players.

• Presenter Bio : Sawyer is a member of the class of 2024.
• Abstract: On her last shift as an employee at the failing gaming giant Game Stop, seventeen year old Twitch streamer Cass must navigate uncomfortable conversations with leering customers along with the impossible expectations of her boss, the washed up manager known to customers only as “The Bobcat,” determined to save his failing store. In a reflection of the gaming world’s treatment of women, Power to the Players explores misogynistic cycles of behavior and how to leave them behind.

Shadhvika Nandakumar ’24:  circles

• Presenter Bio:  Shadhvika is a member of the class of 2024.
• Abstract: This realistic fiction short story discusses the experiences of a young girl who finds out that her dad has had a heart attack. Told from the perspective of someone looking back over time, it is filled with various musings about the nature of life and relationships.

Claire Marie Tate ’24: Ocular Mistrust

• Presenter Bio: Claire Marie Tate is a member of the class of 2024 from Baton Rouge, LA. She is studying Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society and will begin medical school this fall. In her free time, she enjoys running, dancing, discovering new music, reading, and, more recently, writing as a creative outlet.
• Abstract: “Ocular Mistrust” is a short piece which was inspired by the notion of the eye as the window to the soul and the unreliable nature of the visual pathway. This piece puts artistic themes of eyes in conversation with the physiology of visual processing.

Sanat Malik ’24:  Ishak’s

• Presenter Bio:  Sanat Malik is a Senior at Vanderbilt University. He was born in Hong Kong, spent some years in his native India, but primarily grew up in Singapore. Sanat is an Economics and English double major who has a passion for short story writing and journalism. He writes mainly about cultural topics with which he has personal experiences and perspectives. After college, Sanat will be working in an Investment Bank as a Raid Defense Consultant. He hopes to continue to grow in his career as a writer beyond college, and ideally would like to pursue investigative journalism in the future.
• Abstract: Ishak’s is a fictional piece about Ishak, an Indian Immigrant who has recently moved to New York to start an Indian fine-dining restaurant with his friend, Jai. Vying to win customers, Ishak creates an open kitchen in hopes that the smells spill onto the streets and draw in customers. In exploring Ishak and Jai’s pursuit of success in the culinary world, the story explores themes of immigration, assimilation, the pursuit of excellence, and the relationship between meticulous Ishak and laid-back Jai.

Panel B - Abstracts and Author Bios

Molly buttenbarger ’24:  night watch.

• Presenter Bio:  Molly is a member of the class of 2024.
• Abstract: I wrote this memoir about the night I spent alone in the hospital with my mother, when I was in sixth grade. After my mother completed chemotherapy for breast cancer, she underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction. However, her reconstructed implant got infected, which meant she ended up hospitalized after emergency surgery.

Franklin Udensi ’27: The Igbo Anglican Church

• Presenter Bio: Franklin Udensi, a budding author from Lagos, Nigeria, finds deep inspiration in the works of his favorite author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and his piece, “The Igbo Anglican Church,” reflects this influence. Beyond literature, Franklin enjoys diving into the immersive worlds of anime and manga, getting swept in the melodies of Jon Bellion, and delighting in the ever-changing landscape of construction sites, where the promise of unfinished structures sparks his imagination. With each stroke of his pen, he blends his varied influences into narratives that speak to the human experience.
• Abstract: This essay explores the author’s encounter with the Igbo Anglican church, unraveling the intricacies of cultural pride, identity, and the pursuit of connection in a diasporic community. Through reflections on language, tradition, and the clash of two worlds, the piece captures a unique narrative that invites readers to contemplate the dynamics of immigrant experiences and the dialogue between belonging and the complexities of assimilating to a new cultural landscape.“The Igbo Anglican Church” is a piece I wrote based on my own experiences navigating the United States upon my arrival during the summer before Vanderbilt. What began as pent-up emotions that I couldn’t quite explain ended up as a short story narrating my observations and cultural clashes with a segment of the Igbo (an ethnic group in Nigeria) diaspora in the US. Writing this piece showed me that my unique perspective as a literary observer could serve as a platform to explore fresh ideas surrounding cultural crossroads, immigrant perspectives, and the complexities of belonging while strengthening confidence in my storytelling abilities. This process enabled me to think critically about my own sentiments and express these thoughts in both personal and universally relatable ways. The piece engages in dialogue by presenting a narrative that resonates with individuals with similar experiences within immigrant communities. It figuratively converses with the present by exploring contemporary themes like cultural integration and identity. Additionally, it contributes to a broader discourse on the immigrant experience, belonging in a foreign land, and the intricate dance between tradition and assimilation, inviting readers to reflect on their encounters with such cultural crossroads.

Sarah Wermuth ’27: I’m Not (Wilmeth) Smart

• Presenter Bio: Sarah is a member of the class of 2027 majoring in Political Science with minors in Gender Studies and Creative Writing.
• Abstract: In 2023, I took a creative nonfiction English class at Vanderbilt, and an essay prompt was: “Write a personal essay exploring one way your identity has developed in opposition to your family of origin.” As a result, I wrote “I’m Not (Wilmeth) Smart.” It tells the story of how growing up in a family of brilliant individuals while simultaneously struggling in school made it hard for me to see myself as smart despite getting into Vanderbilt, one of the top universities in America.

TaMyra Johnson ’27: Racial Imposter Syndrome: Personal Experience + Interviews

• Presenter Bio: TaMyra Johnson is a part of the class of 2027 from Louisville, Kentucky. She plans on double majoring in Communications and Culture Advocacy Leadership with a minor in film.
• Abstract: This piece talks about my personal experience with racial imposter syndrome. Racial imposter syndrome can be described as being unconnected or feeling inauthentic to parts of their racial identity and culture or as when a person feels internally connected to a racial identity that is not perceived by others which causes doubt in their racial self perception.

5:15-6:00: Session 2

• Faculty Panel Chair:  Mark Schoenfield (English)
• Panelists:  David Lemper ’27 , Nicole Reynaga ’26 , Ilana Drake ’25 , and Eli Apple ’24

Breakout Panel C - Abstracts and Author Bios

David lemper ’27: shakespeare rap.

• Presenter Bio: David is a member of the class of 2027.
• Abstract: This rap was written for an assignment in which students had to cast a scene of a Shakespeare play into rap lyrics. The concept was inspired by Shakespearean rap lyrics from Margaret Atwood’s “Hagseed,” a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” Rap as a genre—specifcally an African-American born genre—calls back to the theme of freedom, which is a very prominent theme within both Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and “Romeo and Juliet,” so using this genre to express these narratives evokes the theme of freedom.

Nicole Reynaga ’26:  In one breath, we escaped together

• Presenter Bio:  Nicole is a member of the class of 2026.
• Abstract:  For this workshop’s penultimate poem, we were tasked with writing a prose poem (a poem not split into verse lines). As prose poems typically lack any rules of poetic form and do not visually appear as poetry, they heavily rely on the use of other poetic elements and metaphorical language. The theme of my piece falls into a more personal/self-aware realm.

Ilana Drake ’25: on rapid decline

• Presenter Bio: Ilana Drake is a junior studying Public Policy Studies and English, and she is a student activist and writer. She serves as a United Nations UNA-USA Global Goals Ambassador for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and she was selected as a Clinton Global Initiative University Fellow in 2023. This year, Ilana was appointed to the Inaugural Student Advisory Board for the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy. Ilana was recognized as one of the forty undergraduate changemakers on Vanderbilt’s campus last year, and she is a Delegate for the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. Ilana’s writing has been published in Insider ,  Ms.  Magazine, and  The Tennessean , among others, and she has been quoted in  The New York Times ,  The Washington Post , and  Teen Vogue . Her poetry has been published internationally in literary magazines and zines. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, exploring Nashville with friends, and searching for the best iced coffee.
• Abstract: This poem is about the importance of time and health. I wrote this piece following my grandmother’s death in November 2023.

Eli Apple ’24:  Autoimmune (Selected Poems)

• Presenter Bio: Eli Apple is a writer of fiction and poetry. He has lived his whole life in Tennessee and is currently a senior at Vanderbilt University, where he is studying English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In addition to writing, he loves reading, traveling, and going on walks with his dog.
• Abstract: My submission includes eight poems that will appear in my English Honors thesis. My thesis, entitled Autoimmune, is a poetry collection that investigates literal and metaphorical illnesses and their effects on the body. These poems belong in Part Two of the collection, which examines homosexuality and internalized homophobia as illnesses together with the continuing effects of the AIDS epidemic on American society.

Access the UCWS 2024 Online Gallery

Coming Soon! Visit the UCWS 2024 Online Gallery of Creative Writing to read each of this year’s featured works along with a reflection from its author.

Special Thanks and Acknowledgements

The Writing Studio offers special thanks to all those who helped make our event possible and have contributed to its success.

Our Event Co-Host and Partner

The Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt

Our Event Co-Sponsors

The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons

The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries

Our Invited Creative Writing Reviewers from the MFA Program in Creative Writing

Langston Cotman

Ajla Dizdarević

Sydney Mayes

Our Writing Studio and Tutoring Services team members

Beth Estes (Assistant Director), Lead Symposium Coordinator

Lucy Kim (Academic Support Coordinator), Assistant Symposium Coordinator

Drew Shipley (Academic Support Coordinator), Assistant Symposium Coordinator

Cameron Sheehy (Peabody), Graduate Assistant Symposium Coordinator

Tim Donahoo, Administrative Specialist for the Writing Studio and Tutoring Services

all Writing Consultants Events Committee Members and all consultants present to support the event today

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