“What I appreciate most about the English department at Juniata is the professors and the range of opportunities that they have opened up for me.”
—Nathan Woods ’19
DIGITAL WRITING
A Distinct Experience
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Our students can combine English courses with courses in biology, political science, art, communication, information technology, business, and other disciplines to create individualized Programs of Emphasis (POEs) specifically tailored to their interests and aspirations. Virtually every career puts a premium on the abilities to think analytically and write clearly, skills honed in our literature and writing courses.
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Our graduates pursue careers in media writing, publishing and editing, law, public relations, secondary teaching, and dozens of other occupations they’ve fashioned for themselves by combining their study of English with other disciplines.
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During your time at Juniata, you will have opportunities to write literary criticism, personal essays, poetry, fiction, news stories, editorials, blogs, and research papers. Compile a portfolio that demonstrates to any future employer that you possess the communication skills valued in the professional world.
Outcomes
A Juniata English degree can prepare you for a variety of careers. Our alumni have become marketing directors, public relations experts, journalists and broadcasters, scientific writers, lawyers, professors, diplomats, technical writers, bloggers, comic book authors, and librarians.
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- Martha Carpenter ‘17
- is currently pursuing a master's degree in English at the University of Vermont.
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- Olivia Claycomb ‘17
- is employed as a marketing consultant at Seven Mountains Media in State College, Pa.
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- Heather Marra ‘17
- is a fellow in the Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience, a premiere leadership development program.
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- Katherine Pribysh ‘16
- is pursuing a graduate degree at the Publishing Institute at New York University.
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- Dianna Rizzo ‘16
- is pursuing a graduate degree in cinematic directing at Columbia College Chicago.
Faculty
The English department’s faculty members draw from their varied areas of expertise to provide our students with both breadth and depth of knowledge. Their courses explore material, from traditionally-known American and British authors to underrepresented writers from numerous nations and minority groups. Our professors use lecture, large and small group discussion, debate, in-class writing, performance, and technology to challenge students to analyze, argue, create, and communicate. By minimizing class sizes, our faculty maximize each student’s academic growth.
“As a student studying professional writing at Juniata, I get to study English and writing, but I also get to focus on communication concepts, which I love.”
—Taylor Smallwood ’19
Student Opportunities
Professional Writing: Intern with the marketing office, the athletic communication office, or other offices and organizations as a writer, news manager, or multimedia intern to gain portfolio clips. One student recently reported and blogged about Juniata biologists’ fracking research in the Pennsylvania Wilds region.
Take Part in English Events: Coffeehouse-style public readings include “Lift Ev’ry Voice,” celebrating African-American writers, and “Unlock Your Voice,” showcasing literature by women. Additionally, members of the poetry writing class perform original work annually
Learn from Visiting Artists: Nationally-renowned authors, poets, and journalists visit and lecture to Juniata students as well as the public.
Have your work published in two Juniata student-run publications: The Juniatian, the College’s online news outlet, investigates major on-campus issues in four sections—news, commentary, arts & entertainment, and sports. Kvasir, Juniata’s literary magazine, welcomes students from any POE to submit original poetry, essays, short stories, and art for publication.
Recent Student Research: Conduct research in a topic of your choosing with the guidance of a faculty member. Then, present at conferences—like Juniata’s Liberal Arts Symposium. This past year, several English students presented and professor Hannah Bellwoar organized a panel of professional writing students who discussed their work. Recent examples: Alexandria Groves ’17, “The Concept of a Previvor;” Cody Januszko ’17, “Decapitation and the State of the Nation.”