Marie A. Hoffman

Since graduating from the MFA program in poetry, Ann Huston has pursued her dream job of being a park ranger. She has worked as seasonal park ranger at Capitol Reef National Park in Utah; Coronado National Memorial in Arizona; Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Alaska; and Chiricahua National Monument in AZ. These parks and other wild, public lands inspire her poetry and she’s managed to get a few publications and lots of rejections! She also has been able to use some of her writing skills to write informative site bulletins on park resources as well as website text for park websites. You can find Ann’s poems in Ascent; Kestrel; Cape Rock; Cimarron Review; Natural Bridge; Poecology; and Flyway.

Here is what Ann had to say about her experience in the program:

“Even though I applied to a handful of MFA programs for creative writing, I never called myself a “poet.” Poetry was something that I did, and I wanted to write better poetry, but I never felt comfortable enough to say “I am a poet.” When I visited EWU, Jonathan Johnson picked me up from the airport and began introducing me to everyone as, “this is Ann, a prospective poet.” His simple introduction changed the way I saw myself, and throughout my time in the MFA program I continued to feel uplifted and supported by the community of professors and students, and I felt validated in who I am. A poet. (among a few other titles I claim).”