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Graduate ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵ Interview: Mara Beneway

Mara Beneway,

MFA in Creative Writing
Spring 2023

Why did you come to ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵfor your MFA?

I knew that I wanted time to write and to experience teaching at the college level. I came to ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵbecause it’s a fully funded, three-year program that offers health insurance. More than logistics, USF’s MFA program attracted me because of the emphasis on hybridity. Although my path changed along the way, I came to this program excited about the possibilities of combining my visual art and poetry. The final deciding factor for me was when I learned Natalie Scenters-Zapico, was joining USF’s faculty and, after engaging with her poetry, I felt that working with her would make me a stronger writer and thinker 

What was a unique opportunity that you had while in your program?

During my second year, the English Department was undergoing the process of hiring a new tenure-track fiction writer to work with both undergraduate and graduate creative writing students. My cohort was invited to take part in the job search, which I learned was the best possible preparation for me to see what exactly acquiring a tenure-track position in creative writing entails. We were given the opportunity to interview several candidates and the asked to report our thoughts back to the hiring committee. The department respected us as professionals, and I felt they truly valued our feedback. This was such an eye-opening experience because I had the opportunity to reflect on how I might answer interview questions like the one we posed. It was a great experience that forced me to consider how I’d someday articulate exactly the kind of teacher and writer I am. 

One other opportunity stands out to me— During my last semester in the program, Dr. Koets organized for her poetry class to work with USF’s Studio Art MFA program. She planned for us to write ekphrastic poetry inspired by the visual artwork the graduating MFA students were featuring in their thesis show. Then, we had a poetry reading that was open to the public inside the Contemporary Art Museum on USF’s campus. This was a particularly special experience for me because many of the closest friendships I developed during my time at ¹ú²ú¶ÌÊÓƵwere with MFA students in the art department. More than that, it was a great demonstration of the beauty that comes with collaboration. It was such a privilege to see the connection and creative capacity that artists and writers share. 

What did you like best about your time in your program?

Teaching poetry has brought me so, so much joy. I got the chance to design and instruct three creative writing courses during my time at USF, two of them poetry classes. I’m not exaggerating when I say that my poetry students brought me to tears on several occasions. The entire process, from drafting syllabi to listening to my students’ final poetry reading, did not feel like work— rather it felt more like a gift. I’m grateful that I got to work with so many wonderful young writers, as they confirmed for me something I’ve known for a long time: reading and writing poetry with young people is what I want to do with my life.

What are you currently doing and how did your experience in the English department prepare you?

Currently, I’m working towards attaining a position teaching writing, preferably creative writing, at the college level. In Dr. Sellers’ creative writing practicum, I wrote a teaching philosophy, resume, CV, and cover letter template. Though I’ve developed as a teacher and writer since those early drafts, I’m finding those starting points to be beneficial tools in helping me articulate exactly who I am, what goals I’ve accomplished, and where I see myself headed. I also received guidance from Dr. Lennon who met with me several times to discuss my professional goals and the possible career paths I might explore to get there. Additionally, Dr. Koets, provided me with thoughtful feedback on my job materials and offered me her own work as an example.