Jenny Spinner

Jenny Spinner, PhD, is a Professor of English and Director of the Writing Center at Saint Joseph’s University. She holds affiliations with the Department of English, Writing and Journalism and the Office of the Provost. Her academic career spans over two decades, marked by leadership in creative nonfiction pedagogy and writing center theory. Spinner earned an MFA from Penn State University (1995), an MA (1999), and a PhD (2004) from the University of Connecticut.

Her research focuses on women essayists, the historical evolution of the essay genre, and innovative approaches to teaching creative nonfiction. Key areas include decolonizing essay curricula, ethical implications of AI in writing, and the intersection of journalism with societal issues. Spinner’s work bridges literary scholarship with practical pedagogy, emphasizing inclusivity and marginalized voices in writing traditions.

Spinner has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals such as CounterText, Fourth Genre, and Essay Daily, with notable contributions to The Cambridge History of the American Essay (2024). Her creative works explore personal and familial narratives, appearing in venues like Nonfiction and Brevity. She has received over a dozen grants and awards, including the 2025 Faculty Justice Award and the 2023 Saint Joseph’s University Research Grant.

Spinner’s professional roles include Senior Editor of Assay: A Journal of Nonfiction Studies and leadership in organizations like the College Composition and Communication Conference. She has served as a judge for prestigious awards such as the Norman Mailer Writing Competition and the Apple Multimedia Awards. Her advocacy for ethical journalism and media literacy is reflected in publications like Gateway Journalism Review and NPR features.

Spinner’s grants highlight her commitment to interdisciplinary innovation, including projects on AI ethics in writing and curriculum development. Her pedagogical contributions include instructor resources for textbooks like Stepping on My Brother’s Head and Writing True, emphasizing hands-on learning and genre exploration.