Virginia Tech English

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From language and rhetoric to poetry and speculative literature, our faculty continue to produce remarkable work that re...
05/29/2026

From language and rhetoric to poetry and speculative literature, our faculty continue to produce remarkable work that reaches readers across disciplines and communities.

At this year’s University Libraries Authors Recognition Event, six Department of English faculty members were recognized for recent publications:

📚 Katie Carmichael
📚 Julie Mengert
📚 Soham Patel
📚 Khadijah Queen
📚 Sophia Terazawa
📚 Tyechia Thompson

As you plan your summer reading list, we hope you’ll explore the books and projects created by our talented faculty authors. Congratulations to all who were recognized this year!

05/27/2026

About 1,500 people recorded themselves — and their Appalachian accents — in an effort to create a snapshot of how the region’s name is pronounced.

Paula Yost ‘02 once struggled to explain to her parents what she could do with a bachelor’s degree in English… Now, her ...
05/27/2026

Paula Yost ‘02 once struggled to explain to her parents what she could do with a bachelor’s degree in English…

Now, her more-than-impressive resume reads like three or four lifetimes wrapped into one: she owns and manages her own law firm, works as a licensed mental health therapist, teaches continuing Legal Education programs across the world, and even co-owns a flower farm with one of her best friends. Paula built a career by not forcing herself into any one predefined box, but by listening closely to her instincts and trusting the strengths she already had.

Post by Brooke Wager, Words & Pictures Alum

Read the story ➡️ https://bit.ly/4uMgsWn

At this year's Language Research Showcase, over a dozen students presented their linguistics research; both Zachary Mahe...
05/22/2026

At this year's Language Research Showcase, over a dozen students presented their linguistics research; both Zachary Maher, postdoctoral associate, and Joe Eska, professor, gave talks; and a celebration of our graduating language science minors capped off the event.

Post & photos by Zach Harner, 2026 Words & Pictures Correspondent

05/21/2026

The department offers students the opportunity to give back to local communities in their courses. Hannah Baum is a Words & Pictures correspondent and a recent graduate who triple majored in professional and technical writing, creative writing, and literature. Listen as she recounts an impactful project that she had the opportunity to complete thanks to her Intro to Professional Technical Writing course.

Video by Kristine Carper, Fall 2025 Words & Pictures Correspondent.

Bella Joerg wasn’t quite sure about her English major upon arriving at Virginia Tech. However, that all changed when she...
05/18/2026

Bella Joerg wasn’t quite sure about her English major upon arriving at Virginia Tech. However, that all changed when she joined Glossolalia. Spending four years as a club member and eventually becoming president in her senior year, Bella’s passion for literature was reignited. Her story defines the resilience of students in English fields and explores how community can sprout from any type of soil.

By Ava Nelson, Words & Pictures Correspondent

Read her story: https://bit.ly/4ndN2xQ

Following commencement yesterday, the department gathered for a reception honoring students for their achievements in te...
05/18/2026

Following commencement yesterday, the department gathered for a reception honoring students for their achievements in teaching, writing, scholarship, leadership, and service. Awards were presented by Kelly Pender, professor and chair, joined by faculty presenters Gena Chandler, Silas Cassinelli, Janine Joseph, and Katharine Cleland. The following students were present to receive theirs and follow in the order they were recognized:

Congratulations to:
✨ Issac Riddle — Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
✨ Abbie Smith — Excellence in Technical and Scientific Communication Award
✨ Deirdre Price — Best M.A. Capstone Award
✨ Livia Wegner — Ut Prosim Award
✨ Darcy Foot — Outstanding Senior
✨ Ashley Kitch — Ut Prosim Award
✨ Ana Portillo — Graduating Senior Creative Writing Award in Poetry
✨ Ruhi Parikh — Graduating Senior Creative Writing Award in Fiction
✨ Samantha Cho — Graduating Senior Creative Writing Award in Creative Nonfiction

And this happened today! Congratulations, graduates! It's been a few wonderful years with you. We can't wait to get to k...
05/16/2026

And this happened today! Congratulations, graduates! It's been a few wonderful years with you. We can't wait to get to know you as our most recent alumni!

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