About Me

My Interests: poetry; intergenerational storytelling; public libraries and social justice; choral music; peace studies; creative writing pedagogy; Anabaptism today in America; women and gender studies, the arts' role in sustainability.

My Ongoing Objectives

  • To make work and community grounded in the urgent play of creativity and lasting connection.

  • To practice and encourage everyday nonviolence as an integral part of writing/mentoring/learning.

Education & Training

  • Certificate in Mediation Training, Athens, Ohio, 2012

  • Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Bennington Writing Seminars, 2009-2011
    Research Focus: “Possible Plowshares for ‘Millennial’ Poetry Workshops: A Pedagogy of Peace”

  • Masters in English, Ohio University, 2005-2007
    Thesis: “Reclaiming Self While Bridging Worlds in Confessional Mennonite Poetry”

  • Bachelors in Musical Theater Writing & Music Composition (original degree), Otterbein University, 1999-2004

  • Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar, University of Leeds (Leeds, England), 2001-2002

Accolades

  • 2020 and 2014 Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Awards, poetry

  • Semi-finalist, Sundress Publications open manuscript call, What I say to this house, 2019

  • 2019 Pushcart Prize nominee, “If I Had It in Me, I’d Make a Grocery List Worthy of My Centuryin Sweet Lit.

  • Finalist, 2018 Gazing Grain Press All-Genre Chapbook Contest, What I say to this house (poetry)

  • 2014 Recipient, Art Gish Peacemaking Grant, Appalachian Peace and Justice Network

  • Finalist: 2013 Frost Place Chapbook Fellowship, Bull City Press

  • Finalist: 2013 Ruth Stone Poetry Prize from Hunger Mountain

  • Finalist: 2012 Janet B. McCabe Poetry Prize, Ruminate Magazine

  • 2011 Young Alumni Creativity and Research Award, Otterbein University

  • 2004 Florence Kahn Memorial Chapbook Award, National Federation of State Poetry Societies

 Teaching/Tutoring Experience

  • Reading/classroom visit, Goshen College. Goshen IN (November 2018)

  • Co-leader, Poetics of Place poetry retreat at Laurelville Retreat Center, PA (June 2018)

  • Workshop presenter at Women Doing Theology: Talkin ‘Bout a Revolution conference, Women in Leadership, Mennonite Church USA (November 2018)

  • Ohio University, guest poet/undergraduate poetry workshop leader, Athens OH (October 2017)

  • 2016 Guest workshop leader: Ohio Poetry Association

  • 2005-2015, Ohio University, Dpts. of English, Classics & World Religions, eCampus

    • Courses: Writing and Rhetoric I and II; Creative Writing: Poetry; Original course: Poetics of War and Peace (undergrad workshop); Women and Writing; Difficult Dialogues: Religion, Gender, and Sexuality; online facilitator for undergraduate and graduate courses in Business Communication

  • Guest lecturer/workshop leader: Bluffton University, Otterbein University, Rutgers University

  • 2009-2015, Student Writing Center, Ohio University

    • Professional tutor (2009-2015) and Associate Coordinator (2010-2014)

  • 2007, Hocking College, Dpt. of Music

    • Songwriting, Performance, piano and voice lessons

 


 

    Writing life: