Caki Wilkinson

Caki Wilkinson serves as Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing at Rhodes College, where she has established herself as a significant voice in contemporary American poetry through three critically acclaimed collections and publications in premier literary journals including The New Yorker, The Nation, and Kenyon Review.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature from the University of Cincinnati (2011)
• M.F.A. in Poetry from Johns Hopkins University (2006)
• B.A. in English, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from Rhodes College (2003)

Wilkinson's scholarly focus centers on Twentieth century American literature, contemporary poetry, and creative writing pedagogy. Her work consistently explores Southern cultural landscapes, historical narratives, and formal innovation within poetic structures, demonstrating particular mastery in blending traditional forms like the sonnet with contemporary free verse to examine identity, place, and cultural memory. This synthesis of classical allusion and modern American experience creates a distinctive voice that bridges academic literary scholarship and public-facing creative practice.

Analysis of her recent publications (2018-2020) reveals a sustained engagement with American cultural iconography, Southern identity, and poetic form. Recurring motifs include classical references reimagined through contemporary lenses (Georgics, Nostos), explorations of regional identity (Elvis Week, A Supermarket in Memphis), and innovative formal experiments particularly with sonnet structures (43 Sonnet). Her work consistently demonstrates technical precision while addressing themes of cultural memory, gender, and the American landscape through both narrative and lyric modes.

As Director of Creative Writing at Rhodes College, Wilkinson mentors emerging writers within a rigorous liberal arts framework, though specific student names and grant activities are not documented in available sources. Her leadership role indicates active administrative engagement with the college's literary community beyond her creative and scholarly output.