curriculum vitae
Education
PhD University of Cincinnati (2023-Present)
PhD in Creative Writing (Nonfiction Emphasis)
Presidential Fellow
M.F.A. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus
MFA in Creative Writing
Thesis: Absolute Zero, Co-Advisors: Dan Philippon and David Treuer. A collection of linked-narrative essays that explore the Northern Michigan landscape through a series of obsessions, including music, nature writing, failing economies, and pop-culture relevance.
B.A. Grand Valley State University (Magna Cum Laude)
BA in Creative Writing, English Literature Minor
Areas of Interest
Creative writing, creative nonfiction, the essay, the lyric essay, environmental writing, experimental and hybrid forms, prose poetry, literary journal production and promotion, writing community development, interactive narratives (including game, hybrid, and digital storytelling), popular culture, book-length writing courses.
Teaching Experience
Instructor, University of Cincinnati
First-year Writing (ENGL 1001): online freshman-level composition course taught as a 14-week asynchronous session.
Instructor, Southern New Hampshire University
Advanced Creative Writing-Asynchronous online course for upper level students in the creative writing major, deals with writing and literature in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting genres. Course includes portfolio and workshop components.
Introduction to Creative Writing Asynchronous online course for lower level students in and outside of the creative writing major, introduces students to craft exercises and literature in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting genres. Course includes portfolio and workshop components.
AP Curriculum Development and Instruction, Christian International School of Prague
Teaching and developing a new AP Course curriculum, including text reviews, professional development, and AP College Board review and certification; composition and literature courses taught through a mix of lecture, small group-discussion, and computer lab research and revision assignments. “Gross to close” philosophy that emphasizes global writing problems and developing strong arguments and subject matter.
Course emphasis on studying contemporary nonfiction and poetic forms. Significant online course components using Google Classroom technology.
Instructor, University of Minnesota
Intermediate Literary Nonfiction Writing (ENGW 3106): creative writing course with substantial reading of modern and contemporary nonfiction writers, emphasizing in-depth studies of nonfiction writers to better understand the nuances of the genre. Significant online course component using Moodle software.
Introduction to Literary Nonfiction Writing (ENGW 1104): creative writing course with substantial reading of contemporary nonfiction writers, emphasizing a wide variety of writers and styles to introduce students to the genre. Significant online course components using Moodle software.
Introduction to Creative Writing (ENGW 1101): teaching assistant directing a two-hour discussion/lecture section each week. Substantial reading of modern and contemporary writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Introducing students to the mechanics of creative writing and exposing them to a wide variety of styles.
University Writing (WRIT 1301): teaching freshman composition through a mix of lecture, small group-discussion, and computer lab research and revision assignments. Emphasis of a "gross to close" philosophy that emphasizes global writing problems and developing strong arguments and subject matter.
Modern Fiction (ENGL 1701): teaching assistant in charge of two one-hour discussion sections each week. Substantial reading of contemporary fiction, including novels, short stories, and graphic novels. Highlighting the themes of 20th century fiction as they reflect on society. Emphasis on weekly reflective writing assignments and in-depth class presentations.
Teaching Artist, Loft Literary Center
Publishing Your Work: Creative writing course focused on how to submit student work, using submission as a means of developing a stronger writing schedule with built-in periods for drafting and revision. Teaching how to research/apply for grants, fellowships, and residencies. Students give presentations on different literary venues for submitting work, emphasizing what it means to look at writing from a reader’s perspective and developing and supporting the local writing community.
Lead Writing Consultant, Grand Valley State University
Teaching and Future Course Interests
The Long Form Essay, Digital Storytelling, Interactive Narratives, Writing and Place, Writing and Research, Hybrid Forms Writing, Form and Theory of Nonfiction, Literary Journal Management and Promotion, Czech Writers (Political Activism Through Literature), Creative Writing in New Media, Games as Literature, Flash Writing Forms.
Editing Work/Service Projects
Reader for Cincinnati Review (2023-2024)
Outside Thesis Advisor for MFA Thesis at the University of Arizona (2023)
Judge for Minnesota Writing Region of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (2022)
Creative Writing Program Review Committee for South New Hampshire University (2021)
Columnist for The Essay Daily
Contributing Writer and Social Media Editor for Dislocate (www.dislocate.org)
Nonfiction Editor for student literary magazine, fishladder.
Book Publications
One Million Maniacs (Published by Outpost19)
A collection of linked-narrative essays focusing around different collections—both real and imagined. What constitutes a collection? Why are some worthy of museums while others are considered hoarding? The primary narrative focuses around my quest to collect 100 copies of a 10,000 Maniacs Album while managing the used music section of a second-hand store.
Journal Publications
Work appears (or is forthcoming) in North American Review, Territory, Juked, Thin Air, Hotel Amerika, The Normal School, The Spectacle, Passages North, The Sonora Review, Wake: Great Lakes Thoughts and Culture, DIAGRAM, Bending Genre, The Seneca Review, Pithead Chapel, Pank, Fourth Genre, Ninth Letter, Black Warrior Review, The Journal, Hobart, Barrelhouse, Hunger Mountain, The Collagist, March Xness, among others.
Anthology Publications and Reprints
“Movie Quotes as Misery: On Claudia Rankine’s Don’t Let Me Be Lonely.” How We Speak To One Another: An Essay Daily Reader, published by Coffee House Press.
“There are No Castles Here,” Originally published in The Normal School, Reprinted in The Utne Reader.
“Everything We Love is Locked Under Glass,” Originally published in The Sonora Review, Issue 67. Reprinted in Rye Magazine, Issue 60.
“The Fall of the House of Ghostly,” published in Continue? The Boss Fight Books Anthology of Video Game Writing.
Manuscripts In Progress
Everywhere at Once
A book-length essay exploring the Minneapolis Skyway system, the largest interconnected building system in the world. Exploring over seven miles of retail space, the book looks at the history of mall-culture, urban development, geology, pop culture history, and the very real possibility of never going outside again. (Currently submitting for publication)
The Magic Circle
Collection of essays that investigates the role of board games in our society. By looking at everything from Candyland’s role in polio epidemics to Snakes and Ladders’ origins as a lesson in reincarnation, I am trying to show how the games we play represent our values, fears, and communities.
Selected Presentations
“The Magic Circle: Changing the World Through Board Games,” Presentation at Brilliant Bearcats Graduate Research Talk Series, Cincinnati, OH.
“Reinventing Doctoral Education through Collaborative Interdisciplinarity,” Presentation at 2024 Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE) International Conference, Cincinnati, OH.
“Creative Practices in Creative Nonfiction,” Guest Lecturer at University of Northwestern–St. Paul, 2023.
“Putting the Fiction in Creative Nonfiction,” Presentation for the 2021 Barrelhouse Conversations and Connections Conference. Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Featured writer in Revolver Magazine’s “Write Fight,” competition (featured and presented on Minnesota Public Television).
Guest Presenter for “Writing about Writing” course at University of Maine at Augusta.
“The Challenge and Attraction of the Young Essayist,” AWP Conference Panel Moderator.
“Editing Nonfiction for a University Literary Journal.” Guest Lecturer for publishing course at the University of Minnesota.
“Submitting Work to Literary Journals.” Guest Lecturer for First-Year MFA candidates at the University of Minnesota.
“Working with Creative Writing and Writing Consultants.” AWP Conference.
podcast features
Work featured in “I’ll Find Myself when I’m Dead” podcast, hosted by Elena Passarello and Justin St. Germain.
Work featured in “Book Fight!” podcast, hosted by Tom McAllister and Mike Ingram.
Essay performed on “Take it With You” Podcast series.
Awards
“Best of Net” Nominee, 2023 Edition.
Notable Essays in Best American Essays, 2013, 2015, and 2020.
Glenn A. Niemeyer Outstanding Student Award. (highest undergraduate award, only 2 per graduating class)
Fellowships and residencies
University of Cincinnati Presidential Fellow, 2023.
Glen Arbor Arts Center Artist in Residence, May 2022.
O’Rourke Fellowship to Travel to Biosphere2 in Tucson, Arizona.
Grand Valley State University’s Student Summer Scholars Fellowship.
Professional Affiliations
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP)
Graduate Coursework
University of Cincinnati
English Literature 7087: Innovative Forms
English Literature 7006: Literary Theory
English Literature 7197: Black Archives
English Literature 7102: Professionalism Seminar
English Literature 7015: The Literary Essay
Humanities 7000: Sharing Science Experience
English Literature 7017: Poetry Manuscript Workshop
English Literature 9098: Independent Study
English Literature 7011: Fiction Workshop
English Literature 7086: Technique and Form in Fiction
English Literature 7166: Approaches to Romantic Lit (Ecopoetics)
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
English Literature 5800: Teaching English Practicum
English, Creative Writing 5106: Advanced Literary Nonfiction
English, Creative Writing 8101: Reading Across Genres
English, Creative Writing 8170: MFA Practicum
English Literature 4722: History of Writing Technologies
English, Creative Writing 5310: Reading as Writers—Flash Forms
English, Creative Writing 5106: Advanced Literary Nonfiction
English, Creative Writing 8160: Nonfiction Thesis Seminar
Arts 5402: Artists and Books
English Literature 5992: Independent Study, dislocate Magazine Online
English, Creative Writing 8130: Nonfiction Seminar—Truth and Time in Nonfiction
English, Creative Writing 8160: Nonfiction Thesis Seminar
English, Creative Writing 8990: MFA Thesis Credits
English, Creative Writing 8120: Poetry Seminar—Your 20 Favorite Poems
English, Creative Writing 8990: MFA Thesis Credits