The past few years have brought numerous changes, some long anticipated and others pleasantly unexpected.
I completed my MFA in Creative Writing at the University of St. Thomas, a program that offered bounteous rewards in the form of deep craft knowledge, a vibrant literary community, and a chance to discern my poetic calling. I co-edited The Living Fire: Contemporary Catholic Writers for the Classroom (Wiseblood Books), with poet Sarah Cortez. My poem “The Blinding of Oedipus” was runner-up for the St. Austin Review Prize in Poetry and later earned second place in the Press Women of Texas Communications Contest in the Creative Verse–Single Poem category. “Sarah Cortez: Poet of Ashes and Stardust” also received a National Federation of Press Women award in the Arts and Entertainment Specialty Articles category. I’ve done freelance content editing for Paraclete Press and Wiseblood Books.
My professional life as an educator has entered a new chapter as well. Upon wrapping up a three-year term as English Department Chair at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, I moved into a new role as an instructional coach while continuing to teach Creative Writing. In 2025, I was deeply honored to receive Strake Jesuit’s Magis Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Most recently, I served as guest poet at the Houston Christian University MFA retreat in August. The experience gave me the opportunity to read and discuss poetry, lead a workshop, and exchange ideas about craft and the writing life with students, faculty, and fellow guest authors.
I hope to make it to another conference before long to connect with some of the writer friends I haven’t seen in a while. And I look forward to sharing more soon about a recent writing project taking shape in the last couple of years.