Spotlight: Arnisha Royston

 

Arnisha Royston is a MFA student studying creative writing and poetry.

As both an avid reader and writer of poetry; my time in the MFA program here at SDSU has been nothing short of amazing. 

My goal as a writer is to extend the understanding of poetry and its relationship to the African American community; using my experiences as a writer, while also exploring how form, expression, emotion, and vulnerability are interwoven into black narratives. Working with instructors like Sandra Alcosser, Professor of Poetry and Program Co-Director and Dr. Blas Falconer, Professor of Poetry, has pushed me to not only become the best writer I can be; but has challenged me to want to extend my understanding of poetry as an area of study. 

Under their mentorship and guidance in my time as a student at SDSU: I have published three poems, received the SDSU Master’s Research Scholarship for the 2021/22 academic year, written a poem on behalf of SDSU Arts Alive Visiting Artist Zeal Harris during to 2020/21 academic year, taught both RWS 100 and ENGL 280, and additionally worked as graduate writing Fellow for the English Department. 

In just a short period of time I have grown immensely as a writer and worked towards educational goals to enhance the quality of my education. The community and academic environment within the MFA program promotes a healthy level of rigorous coursework and development that encourages writers in a way that is productive. As my second year comes to an end and I prepare for my final year in the MFA program, I feel prepared and eager to apply to Creative Writing PhD programs and Fellowships across the country. Coming into this program at SDSU has taught me the value of working within a field I am passionate about; and using that passion to fuel my desire to push past just being a good writer. After completing my MFA degree my goal is to go on and complete a PhD in Creative Writing; I would like to publish a complete collection of poems and work towards teaching creative writing, literature, and Rhetoric and Composition at the university level. I feel supported and prepared by faculty, staff, and students within the MFA Department to succeed.