Zachariah McVicker

Zachariah McVicker is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. He serves as Editor of Ninth Letter's Web Editions for Summer 2024 and previous editions. His research focuses on Creative Non-Fiction, Creative Writing, and Poetry, with a commitment to fostering literary arts through teaching and publication.

Education:

• MFA in Poetry: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2016)
• BA in English: The Ohio State University (2012)

Research Interests: McVicker’s work emphasizes contemporary creative writing practices, poetry composition, and non-fiction narrative techniques. He contributes to literary journals such as Birmingham Poetry Review, 32 Poems, and Ninth Letter, and engages with digital platforms like The Volta Blog to explore evolving forms of literary expression. His teaching and editing roles reflect a dedication to nurturing emerging writers and bridging traditional and modern literary mediums.

Awards and Recognition: He received the Carol Kyle Award for Poetry (2014), the English Department Undergraduate Teaching Award, and was consistently ranked as an excellent teacher by students from 2014 to 2019. These accolades underscore his impactful pedagogy and creative contributions.

Teaching and Advising: McVicker instructs a wide range of courses, including BTW250/279/285, CW100/106/200/243/455/460, and RHET101/102/105. While no formal advisees are listed, his teaching excellence and extensive course offerings highlight his role in guiding students through creative and writing studies.

Labs/Teams: He is affiliated with the editorial team of Ninth Letter, contributing to its digital editions and supporting the journal’s mission to showcase contemporary literature.