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Department of English

Our Success Stories

People often ask: What can you DO with an English degree? Our response: What CAN'T you do?

With honed communication skills, deepened emotional intelligence, and a keen eye for analysis, English Department and Creative Writing Program graduates gain an edge in many professional fields. Of course, our alumni teach. And of course, our alumni write books. They also work in a wide range of jobs you might not expect.

Meet Our Alumni

Headshot of Mary Sosa with a colorful mural in the background.

Mary Sosa

Mary, a M.A. English (Rhetoric and Writing Studies) and B.A. English (Literature) alumni, works as the community engagement coordinator at the Poverello House, where she manages up to 500 volunteers per month who provide social services to people in need.

Meet Mary
Headshot of Samantha Golden with a busy gymnastics gym in background.

Samantha Golden

Samantha, a B.A. English (Creative Writing) alumni, works as the full-time recreation director at Gymnastics Beat, where she organizes programs and mentors youth, and as a part-time writer at the Clovis Roundup newspaper, where she reports on community news.

Meet Samantha
Headshot of Kenyeih Williams, with brick archways in the background.

Kenyeih Williams

Kenyeih, a B.A. English (Literature) alumni, works as the director of development at Fresno State’s Craig School of Business, where she engages with philanthropic partners and produces special projects such as the Gender and Leadership program.

Meet Kenyeih
Headshot of Kayla Mendoza, with bookcases full of books in the background.

Kayla Mendoza

Kayla, a B.A. English Education alumni, works as an instructor at DYB Choisun Language Academy in Seoul, South Korea, where she teaches English to native Korean speakers at multiple skill levels.

Meet Kayla

Headshot of librarian Matty Hernandez

Matty Hernandez

Matty, a B.A. English Education alumni, works as a library technician at West Fresno Middle School.

Headshot of writer Nou Her

Nou Her

Nou, an MFA Creative Writing (Fiction) and B.A. English (Literature) alumni, works as a marketing specialist for WestCare.

Headshot of death doula Laura Musselman

Laura Musselman

Laura, a MFA Creative Writing (Creative Nonfiction) alumni, works as an engagement manager for the Humane Prison Hospice Project.

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Headshot photo of James Tyner

I’ve helped a restaurant owner in Riverdale make a menu. I’ve hosted Dungeons and Dragons nights in Auberry and gardening classes in central Fresno. I’ve connected west-side farmworkers with family in Mexico, helping them access the public computers. Every day is different, but I’ve always felt like I’m making a difference.

Headshot of Rosalina Nuñez

It was research, and I loved it. I could not get enough of it. It’s really exciting to be able to research and write and present your case. It’s all written, and you need an English degree for that.

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