Overview
The Creative Writing Program in the Department of English is seeking funding to support a Writer in Residence program. Storytelling is a universal phenomenon that has persisted throughout human history. A powerful force that promotes human flourishing, storytelling is crucial in dealing with the social fragmentation and loss of connection in contemporary life. By inviting a professional writer to mentor students and host community events, the WiR program will help students to cultivate their skills as empathetic readers and writers, and transform Carleton, moreover, into a vibrant creative hub.
The Background
One of the biggest challenges we face today is social fragmentation. People feel disconnected from one another, from their own stories, and from a wider community. In a world of fast news cycles and endless distractions, everyday voices get lost and the ability to connect is diminished. We risk losing the very narratives that bind us together and help us understand each other’s experiences.
A Writer in Residence steps into that gap by creating space for people to tell their own stories. This process helps writers to clarify their voices, and sparks conversations across generations and cultures. It turns our campus into a living forum where diverse perspectives come alive.
Investing in a Writer in Residence means investing in a more connected, reflective, and resilient community, one that values each person’s story as a vital thread in our shared social fabric.
The Rollout
Funds will be used to support the Writer in Residence for four months, so they can focus on their own creative work and possibly complete a project. A portion of the funds will also be used to support the writer’s community outreach, such as hosting community workshops, lectures, and roundtable discussions with writers, artists, or community leaders whom the writer would invite to Carleton to take part in planned events.
The Impact
Impact on Student Experience
- Students witness the professional writing process, gaining insights beyond the classroom.
- Undergraduates build confidence in finding their unique voices.
- Graduate students refine advanced research and storytelling techniques.
- Mentorship with a seasoned writer fosters writing habits that lead to academic and professional success.
- Attracts curious, creative-minded students seeking hands-on mentorship.
- Demonstrates our belief in the power of stories to educate, unite, and inspire.
- Forges lasting connections between the university and local residents, breaking down academic barriers.
By supporting the Writer in Residence program, donors directly enhance the student experience at Carleton and reinforce the university’s role as a vibrant cultural hub. Together, we will build empathy, preserve narratives, and strengthen community bonds through the power of storytelling. We invite you to join us in weaving every voice into Carleton’s shared story.
Other Comments
By supporting the Writer in Residence program, donors directly enhance the student experience at Carleton and reinforce the university’s role as a vibrant cultural hub. Together, we will build empathy, preserve narratives, and strengthen community bonds through the power of storytelling. We invite you to join us in weaving every voice into Carleton’s shared story.