Austin Segrest

Austin Segrest is an Assistant Professor of English at Lawrence University, where he teaches courses in English, Creative Writing, and First-Year Studies. He holds a PhD in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Missouri, an MFA in Poetry from Georgia State University, and a BA in Classics from Emory University. His research focuses on contemporary and 17th-century poetry, including Puritan New England literature. Segrest is the author of two poetry collections: Door to Remain (winner of the 2021 Vassar Miller Poetry Prize) and the forthcoming Groom (April 2025). His work has appeared in prestigious journals such as Poetry Magazine, VQR, and The Yale Review. He was a 2018–19 poetry fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown.

• Education:
  • PhD in Literature and Creative Writing: Poetry, University of Missouri
  • MFA in Poetry, Georgia State University
  • BA in Classics, Emory University
• Awards:
  • 2021 Vassar Miller Poetry Prize
  • Wisconsin Library Association Outstanding Achievement Award
• Professional Affiliations:
  • Teaches at Lawrence University since 2014
  • Lives in Appleton, Wisconsin

Segrest’s creative and scholarly work explores themes of memory, power, and formative relationships. His poetry collection Groom examines the intersection of mentorship and manipulation through a lens of personal history, blending formal precision with emotional depth. His writing has been praised for its ability to navigate complex ethical and psychological landscapes.