Ari Tison

Ari Tison is a Graduate Adjunct in the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFAC) program at Hamline University, where she previously taught in both MFA and BFA programs. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline and is an award-winning author specializing in poetry, hybrid novels, and picture books. As the first Native faculty member in MFAC, she integrates decolonized craft approaches and Indigenous storytelling traditions into her teaching.

Research Focus

Tison's work centers on:

• Creative Writing Pedagogy: Developing decolonized frameworks for genre-crossing narratives.
• Indigenous Representation: Amplifying Bribri perspectives in children's/YA literature.
• Poetic Hybridity: Blending verse with prose in experimental forms.
• Community-Engaged Anthologies: Curating works addressing social justice themes.

Achievements

Her debut novel Saints of the Household earned national recognition including:

• Pura Belpré Award & Walter Dean Myers Award for cultural authenticity
• Américas Award & Amelia Walden Award for literary excellence
• William C. Morris Finalist and Walter Award for YA innovation

Advising Philosophy

Tison mentors graduate students through craft-focused development, emphasizing strength-based feedback and transferable storytelling tools. She prioritizes transformative artistic growth over perfection, often sharing writing exercises to build career-sustaining skills.