Lesley’s literary podcast wins Circle of Excellence Award

Lesley’s Why We Write podcast is the recipient of a Bronze Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s (CASE) 2021 Circle of Excellence Awards.

These peer-selected and adjudicated awards honor institutions worldwide whose staff have advanced their organizations through resourcefulness and ingenuity.

Winners are selected based on several factors, including overall quality, innovation, use of resources and the impact on the institution or its external and internal communities, such as alumni, parents, students, faculty and staff.

Why We Write, which is produced by Assistant Director of External Relations Georgia Sparling, features interviews with authors from the Lesley community as they discuss their craft and most recent work. Spanning three years and more than 50 episodes, the podcast encompasses a variety of genres and introduces listeners to Lesley’s rich and creative literary cadre.

CASE judges praised Why We Write, entered in the Podcast (Frequent) category, for the show’s engaging discussions and professionalism.

“This show has some really interesting conversations about the craft and profession of writing that go beyond Lesley University,” said the judges. “It sounds like it could have easily been produced by a book publisher or literary magazine, which is a good thing!”

A total of 530 institutions from 27 countries competed, submitting almost 3,000 entries across 100 categories.

CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham said the entries highlighted “the creative, nimble, and innovative approaches our members bring to championing the success of their institutions.” She also acknowledged the resilience of the member schools who worked to “engage their communities in entirely new ways” during the pandemic.

Lesley’s previous CASE wins include a 2019 Bronze Award for our ICYMI newsletter and a 2018 Silver Award for the university’s website.

Check out episodes from Season 3 of Why We Write:

Cowboys and 'the dread'

For our special National Poetry Month series, MFA in Creative Writing student Lydia Leclerc shares her poem "Cowboys Will Come Up with New Terms for Psychological Conditions."

Listen to Lydia Leclerc's poem.

'As for the Heart'

For our special National Poetry Month series, MFA faculty Erin Belieu performs her thoughtful pandemic poem, "As for the Heart."

Listen to 'As for the Heart.'

'The Translator'

For our special National Poetry Month series, MFA faculty Kevin Prufer reads "The Translator" and shares the poem's origins.

Listen to 'The Translator.'

'We Be Womxn'

For our special National Poetry Month series, U-Meleni Mhlaba-Adebo shares two poems and talks about the first verses she wrote as a teen in Zimbabwe.

Listen to U-Meleni's poetry.

Nigerian-American author debuts novel in verse

Candice Iloh's buzzy debut book for teens, "Every Body Looking," explores sexuality, religion, and identity.

Listen to our interview with Candice Iloh

Debut poet Jennifer LeBlanc on myth and mysteries

MFA in Creative Writing graduate Jennifer LeBlanc discusses her debut poetry collection, Descent.

Listen to our interview with Jennifer LeBlanc.

Matthew E. Henry wearing graduation robes with other people in the background. Standing outside.

'Teaching While Black'

Matthew E. Henry, PhD, gives an unflinching portrayal of teaching while black in his debut poetry collection of the same name.

Listen to our interview with Dr. Matthew E. Henry

Starcrossed book cover - two children looking at each other, one from space, the other from earth.

Author, illustrator Julia Denos is 'Starcrossed'

Julia Denos talks about her new book, gives advice to young creators, and discusses her creative process.

Listen to our podcast episode with Julia Denos.

Sybelia Drive book cover - painting of flowers

Coming of age during the Vietnam War in 'Sybelia Drive'

Karin Cecile Davidson talks about her debut, a coming of age novel set in the turbulent Vietnam Era.

Listen to our episode with Karin Cecile Davidson.

Photo of MFA Creative Writing Faculty Sophie Goldstein

Sophie Goldstein's 'Embarrassment of Witches'

Graphic novelist, illustrator and former faculty Sophie Goldstein talks about her latest book.

Listen to our interview with Sophie Goldstein.

Conspiracy, Nixon and Watergate...for kids

P. O'Connell Pearson's latest nonfiction book for middle graders explains the inner workings of Watergate.

Hear our conversation on Watergate.

Boston poet Steven Cramer on writing, rewriting and adaptation

Professor Steven Cramer discusses his newest book of poetry, "Listen."

Listen to our interview with Steven Cramer.

My Captain America

Alumna Megan Margulies's debut is a memoir about growing up and her relationship with her beloved grandfather, comic book creator Joe Simon.

Listen to our interview with Megan Margulies.

Writing Under Pressure: Creating During the Pandemic

Author and MFA faculty Tracey Baptiste shares advice for creating a healthy writing practice.

Hear Tracey's advice for writing.

On the High Seas with Chaney Kwak

Chaney Kwak (MFA in Creative Writing ’09) talks travel writing and the harrowing story of his ill-fated cruise on the Viking Sky, now immortalized in his debut, "The Passenger."

Listen to our interview with Chaney Kwak.

Why We Need to Talk About Mental Health

In her debut YA novel, "The Stepping Off Place," Cameron Kelly Rosenblum ’91 tells a story of friendship, mental illness, suicide, grief and love.

Listen to our podcast with Cameron Kelly Rosenblum