EDUCATION

  • The Arc of Maryland Partners in Policymaking Program, 2020

  • Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers, MFA 2007, poetry

  • Columbia University, PhD 1994, English, Renaissance literature

  •  Middlebury College, BA 1986, English/creative writing, magna cum laude

AWARDS

  • GrubStreet Center for Creative Writing, Access for Students Who Are Caregivers to People Living with a Disability Merit Award, 2020

  • MacDowell Fellow, April/May 2012, nonfiction

  • Millay Colony Fellow, September 2012, Wallace Foundation Fellow, nonfiction

  • White House Champions of Change nomination, 2015, in Precision Medicine 

  • Pushcart Prize nominations, 2016, 2014, 2007, 2020

  • Mellon Fellowship in the Humanities, 1987-88, 1988-89; Dissertation Fellowship, 1992

ACTIVITIES: ADVOCACY & ARTS

  • Montgomery County Commission on People with Disabilities, commissioner, September 2021—present

  • Little Lobbyists, Blog Manager and member, 2018 — present

  • Rare Action Network (RAN), Maryland Community Ambassador, 2021 — present; Community Engagement Liaison, 2019 -- 2021

  • Montgomery County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council, volunteer, 2019 — present

  • Self-Directed Advocacy Network, member, 2019 — present

  • Bethesda Teen Writers Group, co-leader, a program of the Maryland Writers Association and the Montgomery County Public Libraries; assistant editor for teen anthology, Emerging Voices, 2016—2018

  • CAREGIFTED, curator for The Giver is Gifted blog, 2016 — 2018

  • Pentimento: A Journal of All Things Disability, contributing editor, 2015 – 2016

  • Tupelo Press 30/30 Project, February 2014

  • Alice James Books, Volunteer Fundraiser and Public Relations Volunteer, 2003 — 2008

  • Juror, Moving Words Poetry Competition, Arlington VA, 2008