Literary Arts Partnership at UCF

Who We Are

College Students Involved in Our Community:

Each semester dozens of college students apply their knowledge of the craft of creative writing to people in public schools, residential treatment facilities, prisons, shelters, assisted living facilities; to those in our community who may not have the resources or access to writing opportunities.

We believe poetry and storytelling are powerful tools that enhance literacy, learning attitude, self-confidence, character, and self-awareness. We train and support University of Central Florida students to provide poetry and storytelling workshops and mentoring to children, youth, and adults throughout central Florida.

 

"I had decided for some reason that poems were for the University, but now I understand the importance of poetry in everyday life. I have realized that poetry for children can make reading fun and even heighten comprehension of words. Seeing poetry outside of academia and in the community has broadened my sense of why it is important to create." -- Irene Culican, Spring 2008, UCF student who leads poetry workshops for survivors of domestic violence and at a public school

 

Faculty:

Terry Ann Thaxton founded and directs the Literary Arts Partnership at UCF. She is Assistant Professor of English and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Vermont College. Her first book of poetry, Getaway Girl, won the 18th Annual Frederick Morgan Poetry Prize in 2005 (Story Line Press). She has published poetry and essays in several literary magazines around the country. Ms. Thaxton's innovations in classroom and community teaching have earned her recognition from the academic community, as well as the local media, and at national conferences. She regularly presents her research on the link between literacy and creative writing at national conferences. She also holds a Florida Teaching Certificate for grades 6-12.