Jess Williard

Jess Williard is a Lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing (Poetry) from UIUC (2017) and a BA in English Literature from CUNY Queens College (2013). His research and creative work focuses on poetry and screenwriting, with a notable publication Unmanly Grief (University of Arkansas Press, 2019), selected for the Miller Williams Poetry Series by Billy Collins.

Education:

• MFA, Creative Writing (Poetry), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2017
• BA, English Literature, City University of New York - Queens College, 2013

His creative interests span contemporary poetry, narrative voice, and the intersections of literary and screenwriting disciplines. Though no grants or awards are explicitly listed, his academic contributions include pedagogical and creative work in English studies.

Contact: 608 South Wright St., Urbana, IL 61801 | (217) 333-2391