English
About This Program
You’re passionate about the written word. Reading and writing are your ways of understanding the world — and yourself. You want a career helping others understand the power and complexities of language. English may be the major for you.
Department
Why Utica University
Declaring an English major at Utica University means joining a close-knit community of literature lovers, writers and creative thinkers both in an out of the classroom. In the Literary Society, students host poetry readings and attend theater performances. And in producing Ampersand, the University’s yearly literary magazine, students showcase their literary and artistic work.
The Literature Society was formed as the Harold Frederic English Society in the fall semester of 1999 to offer students both inside and outside the English major the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the literary and creative life of the University. It was originally named in honor of the Utica native and noted nineteenth-century American novelist who chronicled the city's religious and ethnic groups at the turn of the century in his acclaimed novel The Damnation of Theron Ware. Dr. Ane Ribeiro Costa, assistant professor of English, is the club's faculty advisor.
In the past, the Society has hosted at Halloween a "Scary Poetry Reading" in which members of the club, the University community read their favorite frightening verse by authors such as Edgar Allan Poe and Robert Browning. The Society was also influential raising funds to buy books for the Breakfast Reading Club, a reading program for young children at Kernan Elementary School in West Utica.
The Literature Society hosts creative writing workshops, open mics, and does community service around literacy. Meetings are bi-weekly.
Those interested in participating should contact Professor Ane Ribeiro Costa at anribeir@utica.edu.
Membership Requirements
For induction into the Utica University chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honors society, the English Department's criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Completion of two university courses in English language or literature beyond freshman courses (i.e., beyond those at the 100-level).
- A minimum 3.5 GPA in English and Literature courses, and a 3.0 GPA overall.
- Completion of 3 semesters of college course work, 2 at Utica University.
- Good character demonstrated through consistent adherence to the principles of academic honesty and professional behavior as defined in the Utica University Student Code of Conduct.
To learn more about Sigma Tau Delta, please visit http://www.english.org/sigmatd/
About Ampersand
Ampersand is published annually each spring semester by an all student staff that changes yearly. Faculty advisor, Dr. Kelly Minerva helps oversee meetings and publication of Ampersand. The magazine contains original art, poetry, short stories, and personal essays by students, recent alumni, staff, and faculty at Utica University. The editorial staff ask for submissions from the Utica University community every fall semester. The staff reviews submissions and chooses what makes it to publication through multiple readings and discussions. Submitters are notified via email if their work has been accepted for publication. Submissions can be sent to amerpsand@utica.edu. Students interested in working on the magazine can contact Dr. Minerva: kaminerv@utica.edu.
Current Issue
Ampersand 2024
Editorial Staff: Elijah Wilson, Editor in Chief; Troy Fluks; Isabella Dienhoffer; Norah Spencer; Jillian Szeliga; with additional support from Isa Hudziak and Amanda Moyer
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kelly Minerva
Vogel Award Judge: Crystal Odelle, author of Trans Studies (2025) and chapbooks editor at Newfound
Back Issues
Ampersand 2023
Editorial Staff: Isa Hudziak, Jasmine Sonia, Selma Dizdarević
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gary Leising
Vogel Award Judge: Kristin Czarnecki, Gallery Coordinator at the Rockport Art Association & Museum in Rockport, MA, and author of The First Kristin: The Story of a Naming and Encounters with Inscriptions: a Memoir
Ampersand 2022
Editorial Staff: Isabella Hudziak and Anabella Rossi
Faculty Advisor 2022: Dr. Kelly Minerva
Faculty Advisor 2022-2023: Dr. Gary Leising
Vogel Award Judge: Molly McCaffrey, award-winning author of You Belong to Us (memoir), How to Survive Graduate School & Other Disasters, and The Chaperone (forthcoming in 2023)
Issue Contributors: Dylan Bennett-Thompson, Elizabeth Elow, Isa Hudziak, Alma Jasencic, Kayden L., Megan Nolan, Olivia Nole-Malpezzi, Danae Rivera, Kim Robson, Anabella Rossi, Haley Simon, Jasmine Sonia, Leola Beck, Hollie David, Gabriella Hudziak, Dr. Jeff Miller, C.B. Buckwild, and Conor Hennessy
Ampersand 2021
Editorial Staff: Gabriella Hudziak, Isabella Hudziak, Anabella Rossi
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gary Leising
Vogel Award Judge: Sara Burge, Missouri State University, Poetry Editor for Moon City Review
Issue Contributors: Kaitlyn Egan, Elizabeth Elow, Rebekah Hedeen, Gabriella Hudziak, Isabella Hudziak, Dr. Jeff Miller, Megan Nolan, Kyle Riecker, Danae Rivera, Anabella Rossi, Emmalyn Ylaya
Ampersand 2020
Editorial Staff: Skylar Harwick, Hallie Hoffman, Gabriella Hudziak, Zhane McKnight, Alexis Orr
Layout: Kyle Riecker
Faculty Advisor: Suzanne Richardson
Vogel Award Judge: Dasan Ahanu, UNC - Chapel Hill, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Black Poetry Theatre, Durham, NC
Issue Contributors: Frank Bianco, Kylie Burger, Nichole Delaney, Patrick Donnelly, Daniela Hannah, Olivia Harwick, Skylar Harwick, Abbie Hei, Gabriella Hudziak, Alma Jasencic, Emily Joss, Dr. Jeff Miller, Brittney L. Nowack, Alexis Orr, Chris Restivo, Danae Rivera, Liam Rodgers, Kaitlyn Tambasco, Emmalyn Ylaya
Ampersand 2014
Editorial Staff: David Eves, Taylor, Banovic, Corrie Clements, Courteney Klepfer, Calie Taranto, Lynsie Ferguson
Cover Art: Kyle D. Riecker
Vogel Award Judge: Melissa Johnson, Virginia Commonwealth University
Issue Contributors: Rose Zaloom, Corrie Clements, Michael Cottle, Kimberly Hughes, Sean Feener, Brian Mazurowski, Calie Taranto, Breana Griffin, Jade Jenkins, David Eves, Lynsie Ferguson, Raheem Lawrence, Courney Fol, Nicolle Szalkowski, Alaina LaMarco, Laura Haggerty, Natalie Berkheimer
Vogel Award Winners: Sean Feener, David Eves, Rose Zaloom, Nicolle Szalkowski
Ampersand 2013
Editorial Staff: Jenn Strife, Steph Bailey, Brandy Miller, Ashley Dunham
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lis Orr
Cover Art: John Paul Gardner
Vogel Award Judge: Casandra Lopez, North Seattle College
Contributors: John Paul Gardner, April McHugh, Erica Ciko, S.A. Feener, Christina F. Bono, Jenn Strife, Anthony Gorrea, Amanda Marsh, Julie Wittemore, Rose Zaloom, Brandy Miller, Dana Sherman, Steph Bailey, Matty Kriston Campos
A prize of $2,000 is given annually for a poetry collection published in the previous year by a resident of upstate New York. The winner will also give a reading and teach a master class at Utica University.
English at Utica
“There are three things, after all, that a poem must reach: the eye, the ear, and what we may call the heart or the mind. It is most important of all to reach the heart of the reader.”
Career Opportunities
Distinction
Experiencing the Arts
What You'll Learn
Through the study of modern and ancient literature, English majors develop analytical and critical thinking skills, along with a broad perspective of the world around them. Taught by Utica’s exceptional faculty that includes published authors, literary scholars, and linguists, English courses help students become articulate, intelligent communicators who are prepared for a wide range of career paths.
English Faculty & Staff
- Professor of English
- Assistant Professor of English
- Dean-Humanities/Social Science and Professor of English
- Assistant Professor of English
- Distinguished Professor of English
- Associate Professor of English
- Associate Professor of English
- Professor of English
- Associate Professor of English
- Adjunct Professor of English
- Adjunct Lecturer of English
- Adjunct Lecturer of English
- Adjunct Lecturer of English
- Adjunct Lecturer of English
- Adjunct Lecturer of English
- Adjunct Lecturer of English
- Adjunct Lecturer of English
- Adjunct Lecturer of English
- Adjunct Instructor of English
- Adjunct Professor of English
- Adjunct Lecturer of English
- Adjunct Lecturer of English
- Success Coach
A Degree That Works
Utica English alumni have gone on to success in business communications, teaching, law, journalism, advertising, and publishing, among many other fields.
Alumni Voices: Sean Feener
A brief conversation with Sean Feener, a graduate of Utica's English program who went on to study law at Boston College.
Student Voices: Rose Zaloom
Talking with Rose Zaloom, a Utica English major with a double minor in theatre and creative writing, about how the program opportunities at Utica University fit perfectly with her plans of becoming a playwright and actor.
Teaching through example
Among the esteemed English faculty at Utica College, you'll be learning from published professors of poetry, fiction, and literary criticism.
English and Literature at Utica University
Jason Koo named winner of 2025 Nassar Poetry Prize
Living History: Remembering Frank Tomaino '61
Rhyme and Reason: Isabella Dienhoffer '26
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