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Creative Nonfiction Writing (MFA) Students & Alumni Stories

Our students and alumni talk about their experience in the program and how it has affected their lives.

Kerri Call G'27, the 2024 University Essay Competition graduate student winner, shares her essay. .


Pamela Lear G'23


Amy Shaw Consolati G’18 credits her ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²Ê MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing as one of the most phenomenal experiences in her life. At the MFA Literary Reading by the class of 2018 held in May, Amy was unable to be there in person because she was being treated for cancer. But she wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to participate! From her hospital bed and via a live video stream, she read selections from her blog that has been chronicling her journey with her illness.


"As a journalist, creative nonfiction is my profession. ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²Ê’s top-notch program helped me to move into a new position writing news features full time for The Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton. I also write stories for , a large travel website where I'm listed as a staff writer." - Andy Castillo G'19


"I live on a ranch in Nogales, Arizona, where I am involved with communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. My writing mission is to amplify the voices of the people who live on borders and whose lives are affected by politicians’ rhetoric. The fantastic education that ¼«ËÙÁùºÏ²Ê’s MFA is providing me has made and will continue to make mine a better voice for my community." 
-Tony Sedgwick G'20


"My experience with MFA faculty has been filled with positive reinforcement and a commitment I have never seen in undergraduate school or anywhere in life. They have a true passion and love for their work. It shines through with every comment, every edit, and every reading assignment. The instructors are available to answer questions, big and small, and it is obvious that their years of experience as writers and teachers have made a faculty that I doubt can be beat anywhere." - Christine Brooks G'19