WKU News

In the Spring of 2026, third-year graduate student in the M.F.A. English Program Heather Neidlinger spoke at the annual Associations of Writers and Writers’ Programs Conference (AWP), which took place this year in Baltimore, Maryland. Her poem “Unbury My Childhood” was selected from the work of countless nominated M.F.A. students across the country. This was an opportunity to showcase her work and gain experience with a public reading at an event within the larger AWP Conference; her work was heard by MFA and PHDs director from across the United States. In active engagement, she saw this as a chance to put WKU and its remarkable Creative Writing M.F.A. program on the map.

Heather is more than a graduate student; she is a poet, an active member of the campus community, a host of the recurring Open Mic Nights, and a leader with the Creative Writing programs. In addition to her graduate studies, she holds two bachelor's degrees from WKU and has lived in Bowling Green for most of her life. Heather is the recipient of the English Department’s Outstanding M.F.A. Student, and she won the Potter College of Arts and Letters’ Outstanding Graduate Student.

We congratulate Heather in her graduation this May and cannot wait to see how the grad journey benefitted Although she has now reached the end of her M.F.A. program, she will be coming back to WKU in the Fall to teach English part-time Heather is dedicated to her students and adamant about the value of education. This recognition is a reflection of her skill and hard work, and we look forward to seeing what she goes on to accomplish after graduate school.