Academics › Graduate Academics › MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics › Faculty

Creative Writing & Poetics Faculty

Michelle Naka Pierce

Core Professor

mnpierce@naropa.edu

(303) 245-4808

Anne Waldman

Anne Waldman

Distinguished Professor of Poetics and Artistic Director, Summer Writing Program

awaldman@naropa.edu

Stella Corso side view

Stella Corso

Adjunct Faculty

kristin.corso@naropa.edu

Sara Veglahn head shot

Sara Veglahn, PhD

sveglahn@naropa.edu

Amy Bobeda

Adjunct Instructor

amy.bobeda@naropa.edu

Vincent Carafano

Vincent Carafano

vincent.james@naropa.edu

Mairead Case head shot

Mairead Case, PhD

Adjunct Professor

mcase@naropa.edu

Steven Dunn

Visiting Instructor; Writer-in-Residence

steven.dunn@naropa.edu

Valerie Hsiung

Core Assistant Professor

valerie.hsiung@naropa.edu

Ali Meyung, MFA

Associate Director of the Naropa Writing Center, Adjunct Faculty

alice.meyung@naropa.edu

Jeffrey Pethybridge head shot

Jeffrey Pethybridge, PhD

Interim Chief Academic Officer & Vice President for Academic Affairs; Core Associate Professor; Co-Artistic Director, Summer Writing Program

jpethybridge@naropa.edu

Sarah Richards Graba

Adjunct Faculty

srichardsgraba@naropa.edu

Sarah Elizabeth Schantz

Adjunct Instructor

Sarah.Schantz@naropa.edu

Andrew Schelling head shot

Andrew Schelling

Core Professor

aschelli@naropa.edu

(303) 245-8411

Learn More About the Program

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Admissions Counselor 

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Geri Anderson

Admissions Counselor 

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Contemplative education brings together the best of Western scholarship and Eastern world wisdom traditions. Therefore, your pursuit of wisdom at Naropa means learning both about academic subjects and about your own place in the world. This innovative approach places Naropa on the cutting edge of the newest and most effective methods of teaching and learning.  

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How is Naropa different from other universities? At Naropa, a liberal arts education balances rigorous academics with powerful interpersonal skills and self-awareness to educate the whole person. Naropa’s contemplative approach is inspired by Buddhist philosophy and the conviction that we can build a diverse, contemplative, enlightened society when we have transformed education to affirm the basic goodness of every person. 

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Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is a Buddhist-inspired, nonsectarian liberal arts university that is recognized as the birthplace of the mindfulness movement. Naropa offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that emphasize professional and personal growth, intellectual development, and cultivating compassion. 

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Naropa Campuses Closed on Friday, March 15, 2024

Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed Friday, March 15, 2024.  All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. All online and low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.

Based on the current weather forecast, the Healing with the Ancestors Talk & Breeze of Simplicity program scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be held as planned.

Staff that do not work remotely or are scheduled to work on campus, can work remotely. Staff that routinely work remotely are expected to continue to do so.

As a reminder, notifications will be sent by e-mail and the LiveSafe app.  

Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.  Naropa University trusts you to make thoughtful and wise decisions based on the conditions and situation in which you find yourself in.

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