Being the Writer Laureate gave me a leg up on the competition. In the crazy game that is writing, there seldom comes a chance to gain legitimate career experience, but that’s exactly what I gained as the Laureate. I got to lift the veil that separates the faculty and students, work with teacher-writers who share similar interests and career goals as me, and become a more complete writer listening to their advice.

I wish I could do it again.

–Joe Ballard, 2016 Writer Laureate (and current Marylhurst University English Major)

Position Description 

The Writer Laureate will be chosen fall term, and will be in office winter and spring terms.

The Writer Laureate’s commitments include:

• assisting with the coordination and execution of, and attending events sponsored by, the English Department, such as literary readings, fundraisers, and the department’s annual spring writing conference (Compose)
• assisting with and being an attending member of the CCC Writers Club
• assisting English instructors and the English Department with promotion of English and Creative Writing courses, publications, events, and opportunities, in person, on paper, and electronically
• promoting and sharing information about the A.S. in English degree
• presenting their own creative and/or scholarly work to the college community

Overall, the Writer Laureate will be a representative of not only the English Department and CCC, but of the literary arts—the creative power of words and the positive impact they have.

The English Department reserves the right to remove the Writer Laureate from the position if they fail to perform the above-mentioned duties. 

Position Benefits 

The Writer Laureate will receive:

• up to an 8 credit per term tuition waiver for winter and spring terms
• access to creative office space
• references from English faculty
• professional writing, public relations, and writing conference experience
• recognition for their writing practice

Application Process

The position is open to all current CCC students who are intent on majoring in English. They are not required to have declared a major at the time they apply.

Interested students must:

• be in good academic standing, with a GPA of at least 3.0
• be responsible and enthusiastic
• be willing to retain the position for both winter and spring terms

To apply, interested students must submit:

• full name, phone number, email address, and student ID number
• one letter of recommendation from any CCC instructor they have taken a course from
• a one-page, single-spaced letter describing their interest in writing and literature, how they envision carrying out the internship, and their own creative or scholarly ideas they wish to pursue as Writer Laureate
• 10-15 pages of writing—poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, academic essay (or any combination thereof)

Please email complete applications to Ryan Davis (ryand@clackamas.edu) no later than Sunday, November 19, 2017.  Include all application materials in one document as a Microsoft Word or PDF attachment, and include the words “Writer Laureate Application” in the subject line of the email.

The English Department will announce the 2018 Writer Laureate during the first week of December in fall term 2017.