Creative Writing Doctoral Candidate Accepts Tenure-Track Position

Catherine Kim, a doctoral candidate in creative writing in the Department of English & Literary Arts, part of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS), has accepted a tenure-track position as an assistant professor in Lafayette College’s English department, beginning in August 2026.  

For Kim, this prestigious offer represents an important milestone in her professional career after years of scholarly and creative work pursuing her doctoral studies, which explore fiction, queer studies and dream literature, which is a style of creative writing where the narrator falls asleep and experiences a vivid, symbolic, or allegorical dream.  

“It means a lot to me that there’s this much interest in the work I’ve done throughout my PhD, in both my teaching and creative practice,” Kim said. “It’s meaningful to know that I have a place secured where I can continue to advance the projects and pedagogy that I’ve worked on here in CAHSS.” 

Kim credits the faculty in DU’s English department for preparing her for the academic job market. She noted associate professor Joanna Howard as someone who has played a key role in organizing practice sessions for each stage of the hiring process, which tends to be an especially complex process for doctoral candidates. 

“I’ve had incredible support from faculty in the department,” Kim said. “Without professor Howard’s advice and guidance, I wouldn’t have been so prepared for my upcoming role.” 

In reflecting on her job offer, Kim also expressed her gratitude for other faculty members who supported her creative work and scholarship, including her thesis advisors and professors Patrick Cottrell and Bin Ramke, as well as associate professors Donna Beth Ellard and Kristy Ulibarri for providing job-search resources for doctoral students at DU. 

 As Kim prepares for graduation and becoming “Dr. Kim,” she encourages other graduate students to seek out guidance and remain thoughtful about their goals. 

“Reaching out to faculty, alumni, and other students in the program for their advice and support was essential to my job search,” she said. “The process is just as much about finding out which institution best meets your specific goals.” 

Congratulations to Catherine Kim on this profound achievement and well-earned opportunity. Her dedicated work reflects the contributions she has made, and will continue to make, to the liberal arts.