Poet-in-Residence

The Wisconsin’s Own Library Poet-in-Residence program provides one poet with a year-long opportunity at Ripon College to devote time and attention to a poetry manuscript in progress. 

In the fall, the Poet in Residence will teach one creative writing or poetry literature class, hold three public readings of current work, and allow one new poem to be reproduced in a limited-edition commemorative broadside. In the spring, the Poet in Residence will teach another class and participate in a weekend creative writing workshop. The Poet in Residence will be physically present on the Ripon College campus, will reside in Ripon full-time while classes are in session, and will hold no other professional obligations for the duration of the fellowship.

The fellowship offers a $32,000 salary for the academic year.  Other benefits include housing (a taxable benefit, appropriate for a maximum of two people) in a campus apartment; an office and office supplies; monetary support for on-campus presentations and travel to out-of-town presentations.  There are no other benefits with this position.

Wisconsin’s Own Library is owned by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Wisconsin, with funding provided by the Gwendolyn M. Schultz Charitable Trust. Wisconsin’s Own Library showcases the work of Wisconsin poets. For this reason, the Poet in Residence must demonstrate a considerable attachment to the state by residing (or having resided) in Wisconsin for at least two years at some point in their lifetime. The ideal candidate will hold an MFA or PhD in Creative Writing, demonstrate a robust history of publishing in national literary journals, provide a clear agenda for instructing Ripon College students in the practice of poetry, and propose the continuation of a poetry manuscript that is already well underway. In particular, candidates who demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion and are dedicated to fostering these values within the liberal arts setting are highly encouraged to apply.

Among applicants that meet the Wisconsin residency requirement, the Poet in Residence will be selected based upon 1) the merits of the poet’s past and present writing and 2) the quality of the teaching plan. Since Ripon College prides itself on the quality of its undergraduate instruction, these two requirements are given equal consideration in the Poet in Residence application. The Poet in Residence will be free to design one class per semester from a wide range of possibilities, including Intro to Poetry, Poetry Special Topics (such as the Long Poem, Prosody, of Cross-Genre Forms,) or a Poetry-focused literature class.

How to Apply:

Applicants should submit: 1) a Letter of Intent, in which they describe the poetry manuscript in progress, as well as the poetry class to be taught at Ripon College, 2) 10-20 sample pages of poetry, at least half of which should include poems from the project manuscript, and 3) evidence of teaching effectiveness (in the form of a curriculum vita, professional references, sample course evaluations, and/or the proposed course syllabus) to Amanda Przybyl at poetinresidence@ripon.edu or by applying through our website: https://ripon.edu/jobs-at-ripon/. In the opening paragraph of the Letter of Intent, Applicants should describe the nature of their two years of residency in Wisconsin.

Please submit a completed application by January 9, 2026. The successful candidate will be notified in late February 2026.

Ripon College is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and adheres to nondiscriminatory policies in employment and student enrollment in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.