English Alumni Hall of Fame
Our Alumni
Our Alumni
The University of Delaware's English Department alumni have demonstrated remarkable career success across various fields, underscoring the versatility and value of an English degree. Employers today seek the "soft skills" that English majors excel in, such as creativity, adaptability, persuasiveness, and collaboration.
These skills have enabled alumni to thrive in diverse roles, including digital/social media management, law, technical writing, public relations, human resources, editing, content management, and teaching. The department's commitment to equipping students with necessary skills for the workforce is evident in the decreasing unemployment rates for humanities students and the narrowing pay gap between humanities majors and their STEM counterparts over time.
Alumni Spotlights
Krys'tal Griffin
Krys'tal Griffin | 2021
Job Title: Reporter, The News Journal
From intern to full-time journalist, see how this UD grad's internship helped her bag the job of her dreams.
A reporter for the Wilmington-based publication The News Journal, Krys'tal Griffin has found her place as a local journalist, reporting on everything from local to breaking news.
Griffin, a 2021 graduate of the University of Delaware's Department of English, had multiple internships with The News Journal during her time at the UD, including the opportunity to participate in the Ellen Cannon Internship Program. Named after UD English alum Ellen Cannon, whose gift to UD in 2012 established this competitive program, the internship gave Griffin both a stipend and the opportunity to work with the paper to help report, write and pitch stories.
When a reporter job became available, Griffin applied through the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association and it led to her landing a full-time job with the newspaper.
Griffin's main piece of advice for new and prospective students is to make connections, which is, in part, what she attributes to finding her footing in the field as a reporter. “Try new things because you never know what you might enjoy or how something can be incorporated into your intended career path," said Griffin.
For students interested in journalism and being a reporter, Krystal implores: "Don't be afraid to jump right into it. Everyone has to start somewhere. Everyone has to go through the experience of getting their first interview. It might even surprise you how willing people are to talk to a stranger when you show them your interest in their perspective."
Check out Krys'tal's latest stories for The News Journal on her staff website.
Joe Turner
Joe Turner | 2014 (Ph.D.)
Job Title: Associate Professor, University of Louisville
His research has been supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Folger Shakespeare Library, and the Kentucky Commonwealth Center for the Humanities and Culture.
Since graduating from UD in 2014, Joe Turner is an associate professor of English at the University of Louisville, where also served as director of graduate studies for the English MA and PhD in rhetoric and composition beginning in January of 2019. He lives in Louisville with his wife, Heather (an alumna of UD's English MA), and his two dogs, Anya and Greta.
His research has been supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Folger Shakespeare Library, and the Kentucky Commonwealth Center for the Humanities and Culture. Two recent publications have grown directly from his time at UD. A 2018 article in Pedagogy documents his job market advising sessions for PhD students at Louisville, inspired by John Ernest's meetings at UD, as well as a chapter in Jim Dean's 2017 festschrift. Other articles have/will appear in Rhetorica (twice), Rhetoric Review, the Chaucer Review, and a forthcoming volume on cocktails, The Shaken and the Stirred (Indiana UP).
When not writing, Joe prefers to spend time in Kentucky's great parks, trying to keep up with the dogs.
Job Placement Record
Lee Conderacci, 2024, English Instructor, Loyola Blakefield High School, Towson, MD
Brandi Locke, 2024, Postdoctoral researcher, Penn State Mellon Just Transformations for the Center for Black digital Research at Pennsylvania State University
Monet Timmons, 2024, Public Humanities Fellow, SNCC & Grassroots Organizing Discussion Series, John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute at Duke University
Melissa Benbow, 2024, Postdoctoral Fellow, National Park Service-Mellon Humanities
Alumni Testimonials
Michael A. Iannucci
I credit my UD education for much of my success. The faculty are some of the most intelligent and kindest people you will ever meet. My English professors taught me how to think creatively, read analytically, and write persuasively. Simply put, UD is an amazing place where dreams come true.
Degree: 2004, English Education
I am delighted that I get to both teach and write for a living. The support and modeling that the English Education faculty provided helped me hone my skills as an educator, and create a teaching philosophy that allows me to move all students to achieve at high levels.
Degree: 2012, English Education
Taria Pritchett
OUR ALUMNI
Nana Asante
Graduation Year: 2021
Occupation: First-year medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)
I graduated in Spring 2021 with an Honors with Distinction Degree in English with minors in Medical Diagnostics and Biology
Grace Buck
Graduation Year: 2021
Occupation: Program Manager at the Innovation Space
I also received a Masters in Strategic Communications in May 2024 from UD graduate college as well.
Dariq Cobb
Graduation Year: 2014
Occupation: Academic Advisor with Research University
Develops communications campaign in addition advising responsibilities as well as writes freelance articles.
Season Cooper
Graduation Year: 2017
Occupation: Project Manager
In addition to majoring in English, I minored in Journalism and Interactive Media. My campus involvement included the Cultural Programming Advisory Board, The Review, and Ronald McNair Scholars program. I’m currently a Project Manager based in Philadelphia.
Rachel Curry
Graduation Year: 2017
Occupation: Freelance journalist & content writer
I write for national outlets like CNBC and local publications like LNP | LancasterOnline. I have been working as a full-time freelancer since 2019. My journalism work involves a lot of tracking down sources, conducting interviews and building narratives. Additionally, I help businesses (in industries unrelated to my journalism beat) build content strategies, which includes blogs, newsletters and social media content. Being freelance means getting good with administrative work, too, as I run my own business. I have also been lucky enough to serve as a teaching assistant for multiple journalism study abroad programs in Melbourne, Australia alongside Professor Ben Yagoda through UD since graduating.
Karina Evans
Graduation Year: 2014
Occupation: Content Planning Manager for Disney+ in Los Angeles & a child's author
I graduated in 2014 with a major in English and a concentration in Film Studies. I currently work as a Content Planning Manager for Disney+ in Los Angeles, and I am also a children's author. Here are links to my two books: Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins! and Audrey Covington Breaks the Rules.
Dylan Gerstley
Graduation Year: 2020
Occupation: Content Creator, Communications at The Siegfried Group
I work closely with our sales team and professionals to tell the story of how Siegfried creates value for clients to win sales and grow the Firm.
Abigail Lennox
Graduation Year: 2018
Occupation: Technical Publications Lead with Aloft Aeroarchitects
Developer – Technical Publications Procedures, Internal Multilayered Checklists, and Training
Taria Pritchett
Graduation Year: 2012
Occupation: High school English teacher, motivational speaker, and Confidence Coach
She was highlighted as one of Delaware's Top Teachers of 2020 in Delaware Today magazine and recognized by her school district in 2023 as "Teacher of the Year."
Ryan Richardson
Graduation Year: 2019
Occupation: Production Editor at Penguin Random House
At Penguin Random House, I copyedit/proofread ancillary materials, book/manage freelance copy editors, proofreaders, indexers and oversee their work. I'm a proud Blue Hen!
Alyssa Rosenblum
Graduation Year: 2020
Occupation: Senior Copywriter for a market access agency
We create PowerPoint decks, leave behinds, websites, and more to help pharmaceutical companies promote their products and/or patient service offerings. Our audiences tend to be doctors or insurance payers, so it’s more scientific than the ads you see on TV. Since our copy must be scientifically accurate and approved by legal teams, our pieces also include everyone’s favorite at the end, the long list of side effects!
Melina Duffett
Graduation Year: 2008
Occupation: Sr. UX Content Designer at a large financial institution & small business owner
I'm now a full-time Sr. UX Content Designer at a large financial institution, but still have my business as well... and a baby boy!
Greg Lisi
Graduation Year: 2008
Occupation: Screenwriter
I co-created and co-wrote a limited series about the life of JFK, Jr., which I'm currently developing with Peacock
Lauren Post
Graduation Year: 2006
Occupation: VP of PR & Communications at Kraken
I create and implement key external communications initiatives, build strategic communications programs, manage any reputational issues that arise and work with company leadership and the media to proactively build the brand
Andre Walters
Graduation Year: 2002
Occupation: Deputy General Counsel of Tepper Sports and Entertainment
A member of the Maryland Bar, Walters also holds an English degree from the University of Delaware, a law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law and a Masters in Business Administration from the Kenan Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Ryan Zinn
Graduation Year: 2000
Occupation: Owner and Publisher of Brandywine Valley Real Producers; Associated Broker of Real Estate in DE; Liscensed Sales Associate in PA (with COMPASS)
I am the Owner and Publisher of Brandywine Valley Real Producers (a trade publication for top-performing real estate agents and teams and their referred industry business partners)
I am also an Associate Broker of real estate in Delaware and a licensed Sales Associate in Pennsylvania (with COMPASS)
Michelle Stofa
Graduation Year: 1992
Occupation: Manager for Editorial Services for the Nemours Children’s Health enterprise at Thomas Jefferson University
She is an invited guest lecturer for the Department of English at the University of Delaware. She also regularly presents to her peers at national conferences for the American Medical Writers Association and to residents, physicians, and students at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Donna DeNucci
Graduation Year: 1988
Occupation: Proposal Manager
My time as a student at Delaware was formative and I was able to gain a new perspective about people and the world. My UD education opened doors for me throughout my career and I take great pride in saying I graduated with a UD degree. I will always cherish the lifelong friends and the memories made during my college years. The best part of UD? The People! Blue Hens Forever
Diane Oswald
Graduation Year: 1983
Occupation: Assistant Vice President in Talent Acquisition at Bank of America
I am adept at helping candidates to recognize their potential as well as helping my lines of businesses identify their specific hiring needs
