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The humanities are thriving at Lackawanna College where students are preparing for careers in professional writing and related fields.
High-achieving Lackawanna students are earning a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies, English Writing through a degree program that launched in 2018.
One of eight bachelor’s degrees offered at the college, the writing program takes a holistic approach to career preparation focusing on a variety of professional and creative writing styles. Degree candidates study prose, poetry, journalism, freelancing, copy editing, technical writing, sports writing, creative writing, grant and proposal writing, and social media management. Through elective offerings, they apply their writing skills to disciplines including literature, communications, philosophy, and religious studies.
The writing degree program was developed many of the humanities-division faculty and approved by the Dean of Curriculum and Faculty Affairs. It was then peer-reviewed and finalized by a curriculum committee chaired by an assistant professor and made up of mostly faculty. It is a true collaboration of educators. Many faculty members work together to maintain an efficient, smooth, and enriching program. Dr. Brian Fanelli, Associate Professor in English, and Kevin McDonough, Humanities Division Chair and Assistant Professor in English, teach the bulk of the writing and literature courses required for the Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Emy Kurilla, Associate Professor in Communications, teaches concentration classes in the program. They include Writing for Social Media and Interpersonal Communications. Jenette Kiesendahl, Assistant Professor in Academic Development and Director of the College Writing Center, teaches core courses including a nonfiction workshop. John Baldino, Assistant Professor in Philosophy and Religious Studies, instructs writing-intensive electives such as World Religions, Philosophy of Religion, and Philosophy and Film. He also leads the Humanities Division’s Journalism Fellowship. Alicia Grega and Sara Pisak are adjunct instructors who teach upper-level writing classes.
Graduates Succeed
One hundred percent of program graduates are employed in the field and/or pursuing graduate education in writing.
Lackawanna has articulation agreements with Marywood University for the Master of Arts in Professional Writing, as well as Wilkes University for the Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts programs in Creative Writing. This allows for a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate education.
Graduates of Lackawanna’s Bachelor of Arts Program in Professional Studies, English Writing currently work in marketing, social media content creation, journalism, education, event planning, and library services. Plus, they are staying local and contributing to the greater northeastern Pennsylvania community. Alia Loureiro is a Marketing Specialist at Precision Software Innovations in Jessup. Tyler Opeil is a journalist covering Lackawanna and Luzerne County news for The Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre. Aubrey Ross serves as Director of Marketing and Admissions at Elan Gardens Senior Living in Clarks Summit. Many graduates have even returned to Lackawanna College as adjunct instructors. Paige O’Hara came back as an online in-class tutor in the college’s eLearning department. These are but a few examples of successful program graduates.
Other potential jobs that graduates of the program are likely to pursue include copywriter, blog writer, copy editor, freelance writer, content creator, sports reporter, fiction/nonfiction author, technical writer, and medical writer.
Spin-Offs Abound
The faculty and students of professional writing degree program at Lackawanna have hosted an array of events and contests that allow students of the program to stay engaged and showcase their work. These endeavors also give students who are not enrolled in the program opportunities to take part in writing-based activities. Dr. Fanelli has hosted several open-mic reading events at Adezzo Café, Commonwealth Coffeehouse, Library Express, and most recently at the Scranton Public Library. The next open-mic night is set to take place on April 11, 2024, at the Scranton Public Library. All are welcome to attend, listen, and even read. Students, faculty, and library staff will share their work at the event.
Connected to the program, Lackawanna’s Humanities Division conceived and implemented the John Rettura Creative Writing Prize. Named for the late philosophy professor, this writing contest happens every spring. Students may submit up to three poems of any form, a work of fiction, or a work of creative nonfiction. The winner receives a $100 gift card. The college heads another contest labeled “LC Reads,” in which a panel selects one brief essay or poem created by a student. The prize being a $50 gift card.
Featured image (top) courtesy of Lackawanna College.
