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English and Creative Writing Department

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In the Department of English and Creative Writing, students develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in many different fields and professions. While at Guilford, students can explore a variety of interests related to the flexible programs offered in this department:

  • Experience different time periods and perspectives by immersing yourself in literature from a variety of cultures, learning to read deeply with understanding and insight and imagine alternative views and values.
  • Join the staff of The Guilfordian, our award-winning, nationally recognized campus newspaper.
  • Help create our eclectic student literary magazine, The Greenleaf Review.
  • Study writing and storytelling in Europe, South America, Asia, the Caribbean or Africa.
  • Complete an internship in editing or publishing with support from faculty advisers.

As an English and Creative Writing major you’ll develop a crucial set of flexible skills that you can adapt and tailor to a variety of professions. Courses are taught by faculty members who are accomplished and award-winning authors, scholars and poets who offer expert guidance in critical thinking, empathy, communication and tolerance for ambiguity.

Once you complete your Guilford journey you’ll be prepared for a wide set of life paths. Graduates have pursued careers as a lawyer, Yale professor, National Public Radio national correspondent, peace worker in Haiti, Random House production manager, documentary filmmaker, assistant producer on the Charlie Rose show and novelist. Students have also pursued graduate studies at universities including Berkeley, Columbia, Harvard, City University/London, Brown, UNC Chapel Hill, Penn State and NYU.


College Catalog

For more information about courses for the English and Creative Writing Department, visit the online, searchable College Catalog. The Undergraduate Catalog also includes academic department and major information, academic regulations and resources, admission standards and requirements, and tuition, fees, and financial aid information.

Majors and Minors

  • English and Media Studies Major and English Minor: The bachelor of arts in English and Media Studies and the minor in English are designed for students looking for a broad focus on literature, as well as the opportunity to explore a wide range of media according to their individual interests in film or other forms of visual storytelling, journalism and professional communications.
  • Creative Writing Major and Minor: The bachelor of arts and minor in Creative Writing are designed for those interested in crafting fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, playwriting or screenwriting.

Awards and Scholarships

"Being an English major at Guilford was an enriching, thought provoking, as well as humbling experience. I can say without a doubt that Guilford has made me a better person. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have had this experience. Guilford is truly a college that changes lives."

William Burton '16
English major, Communications minor
  • The Sherwood Anderson Creative Writing Scholarship provides scholarship money to students who show exceptional promise and potential in the friend of creative writing (fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, playwriting or screenwriting).
  • The Dorothy Lloyd Gilbert Awards provide grants of up to $5,000 to assist juniors and seniors with making the transition from college to professional life or graduate school.
  • The Rachel Lindner Leahy Award was established by family and friends of Rachel Leahy ’14 in 2015 to provide English and Media Studies majors the opportunity for outside-the-classroom learning experiences like study abroad, internships, conferences or workshops.
  • The department also awards the Leora Sherrill O’Callaghan Scholarship annually to a rising senior who has excelled in English; it also honors a graduating CCE senior with the Outstanding Achievement by a Continuing Education Student award.
  • The Dean's Writing Awards recognize superior writing by Guilford students. The submissions must be work completed in courses by Guilford students, though the Poetry and Fiction contests will accept pieces completed outside a Guilford course.
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English and Creative Writing Department News and Events

From Congress to College
From Congress to College

First-year student Taron Lilly ’24 shares her incredible accomplishments as a page for the N.C. House of Representatives, as well as why she chose Guilford to further her advocacy career.

Creative Writing Program Recognized as Best BA/BFA
Creative Writing Program Recognized as Best BA/BFA

The editors at CreativeWritingEdu listed Guilford’s creative writing program among their “Top Picks” for the best BA and BFA degrees.

Finding Her True North
Finding Her True North

Education Studies and English and Media Studies double major Alesha Garcia ’22 has set her sights on making a difference in the U.S. educational system. Find out how Guilford helped her get accepted into a program at the University of Pennsylvania.

Postcards from Dartmouth
Postcards from Dartmouth

English major James Mitchell '21 is continuing his creative writing studies at Dartmouth College. Find out how Guilford nurtured his talent and gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams.

Finding Her Way
Finding Her Way

Honors student and English and Media Studies major Kaya Simpson ’22 knows what comes next for her — a teaching career. She was placed as an English and Drama teacher by the Southern Teachers Agency.

All In for Families
All In for Families

Emma English ’22 is studying family law at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., one of a variety of schools to offer her a scholarship.

Quaker Communication
Quaker Communication

Quaker-educated since elementary school and a Bonner Scholar at Guilford, Abby Bekele ’19 came to Greensboro from Philadelphia with a vastly different path in mind than the one she ended up taking.

From Ghana to Guilford
From Ghana to Guilford

Salwa Ahmad ’21 took a leap of faith when she left her home in Ghana to attend college in the United States. It wasn’t easy, she says, noting the huge culture shock and resistance to adapting that she experienced.

No Place Like Home
No Place Like Home

Lideah Shively ’22 credits her Guilford College experience with helping her discover what she truly wants to do with her life. She also values the supportive community she has found at the College.

From Coffee to Career
From Coffee to Career

Though they attended college years apart, Jamie Skjoldager ’18 and Mary Luong ’08 found a shared passion — and a successful partnership — through Guilford.

My Guilford Story: Juliana and Parag [VIDEO]
My Guilford Story: Juliana and Parag [VIDEO]

Guilford College English major Juliana Hubbard ’22, also a double minor in Psychology and Communications, always had plans to become a lawyer. To prep herself…

Mentor and Advocate
Mentor and Advocate

English major Karyle Miller ’12 won Mentor of the Year for Guilford County Schools. Check out her advice for future educators.

Philosopher of Design
Philosopher of Design

Creative Writing and Philosophy double major Ainsley Kalb ’23 talks Guilford, game design, and how to take criticism of your work.

In Pursuit of Excellence
In Pursuit of Excellence

Meet Honors student Calley Hull ’23, a Modern Language Studies (Spanish) and English double major with a minor in Communications, who has big plans for her future, including giving back to the community as a teacher.

Chief Journalist
Chief Journalist

Jenni Camhi's ('22) internship plans were derailed due to the pandemic, she took on the challenge of reconfiguring Guilford's student newspaper, the Guilfordian, for an online setting and online audience.

Radio Star
Radio Star

Mary Heisey ’14, a double major in English and Sociology and Anthropology, is living her dream as a producer and editor for radio and podcasts while amplifying the voices of those underrepresented in media.

Screen Time in a Contactless World
Screen Time in a Contactless World

Creative Writing major Emma Smith ’23 shares how she learned to embrace online learning and become engaged in her courses despite the pandemic.

Contact Us

Diya Abdo
Diya Abdo

Lincoln Financial Professor of English

Matt Armstrong
Matt Armstrong

Part Time Lecturer for English

Parag Parker
Parag Parker

Visiting Assistant Professor for English and Writing Director

Colin Cutler
Colin Cutler

Part-Time Lecturer of English

Tracie Fellers
Tracie Fellers

Visiting Assistant Professor for English

Heather Hayton
Heather Hayton

Robert K. Marshall Professor of English

Ben Hojem
Ben Hojem

Visiting Assistant Professor for English

Michael Pittard
Michael Pittard

Part-Time Lecturer for English

Cynthia Nearman
Cynthia Nearman

Associate Professor for English

Rod Spellman
Rod Spellman

Visiting Instructor for English

George Porter Thomas
George Porter Thomas

Visiting Assistant Professor for English