The English Department is both inspired by the richness of the humanist tradition and dedicated to innovation. Our graduates enter careers in academia and the professions well-prepared to meet the changing needs of society with creativity, historical perspective, global awareness, and outstanding communication skills.

English Department News

Students Channel Emotions, Experiences with Discrimination Through Writing Contest

Since 1999, thousands of western Pennsylvania high school and college students have chosen to react to discrimination by writing about it for Carnegie Mellon University’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Writing Awards.

Book Offers 18 Years of Student Perspectives on “Challenges to the Dream"

A new anthology, Challenges to the Dream: The Best of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Awards at Carnegie Mellon University, includes a powerful selection of the poetry and prose pieces from the writing contest’s history.

Two English Students Named Andrew Carnegie Society Scholars

The Andrew Carnegie Society (ACS) Scholars Class of 2018 has been announced—and eight seniors from the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences have been selected. This list includes senior Amber James, a major in technical writing, and Maria Navarro-Gutierrez who has a major in professional writing.

Atom Atkinson Takes Talents, Passions to Iconic Chautauqua

As visitors descend upon the thriving lakeside educational community of Chautauqua, New York, Carnegie Mellon University creative writing alumnus Atom Atkinson thinks about how to transform the group's literary arts experience.

Alumna's Double Life is One for the Books

Where are you at 3 a.m.? Carnegie Mellon University Department of English alumna Khristina Chess is in front of her computer, Mountain Dew-infused, writing her next young adult novel.

Dress is a Work From the Heart

Carnegie Mellon University added some high-tech light to the bright lights of Broadway during the 71st Annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 11. The university, known as one of the top theater arts conservatories in the world, showed an additional dimension when a "wearable tech" dress made its debut on the red carpet at Radio City Music Hall.

English Major Melanie Diaz Earns Fulbright Award

Among the six Carnegie Mellon University seniors who have been named Fulbright award winners, one of them will be graduating from CMU English this spring.

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