Alumni Spotlight - Savannah Slone

As a single mother living in a rural area, Savannah Slone chose EvCC because of the online degree option and the wide array of course offerings. “EvCC played a huge role in my current career,” she says. After earning her associate’s degree from EvCC, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University and currently has two quarters remaining to complete her master of fine arts degree from Lindenwood University. She has had dozens of poems and short stories published in a variety of literary magazines and plans to teach English and creative writing at the college level. Savannah advises current students: “This is the time to go outside of your comfort zone and take the classes you are unsure about. I did this and it led me down a path that resulted in a developing career that I am proud of and passionate about.”

What is your current occupation/career? 

I am currently a graduate student at Lindenwood University. I have two quarters left before I will graduate with my M.F.A. in Writing. I hold the position of Assistant Poetry Editor at Boston Accent Lit, am an Editorial Assistant for The Lindenwood Review, and am a Top 50 Flash Fiction Reader for Wigleaf. I read, vote on, and revise poetry and short fiction for publication in literary magazines. In addition to my editing, I am a writer. I have had dozens of poems and short stories published in various literary magazines and journals. Upon graduating with my M.F.A. in December 2018, I plan to teach English and creative writing courses at the college level. 

How did you choose EvCC? Was there a selection process involved in your decision making?

I chose EvCC because of the online degree option and the wide array of course offerings. When I began my A.A.S. at EvCC, I had just graduated from high school and was three months pregnant. I was a soon-to-be single mother and needed to be able to work as much as possible to save up for the items my son would need. I lived (and still live) in Skykomish, WA, which is 16 miles west of Steven's Pass, so the commute to any campus would have been an additional struggle since I live in such a rural area. eLearning was the best thing that ever happened to me and I'm so grateful to live in a time where this is an option. I earned not only my A.A.S. 100% online, but also my B.A. from Central Washington University, as well as my M.F.A. Without EvCC's eLearning option, I wouldn't be where I am today. I was able to raise my son, work multiple part-time jobs, and complete my studies with a schedule that was flexible to me and worked with my hectic life. 

Do you think your time at EvCC helped you pursue your current career? How?

EvCC played a huge role in my current career. When I applied for admission and registered for my first quarter of classes, I wasn't sure what I wanted to major in down the road. I was passionate about a lot of subjects but was mostly just plugging away at classes, knowing that going to college was the best thing I could do for my son and I. It wasn't until I took two specific classes (Poetry I and Intro to Literature--both with Kevin Craft) at EvCC that I knew I wanted to further delve into English and creative writing. This was near the end of my A.A.S. and inspired me to apply for admission to CWU's Online Professional and Creative Writing B.A. program, which I was accepted into immediately following my graduation from EvCC and completed in August 2017. Without having the opportunity to take so many incredible classes in a variety of subjects that I had never been exposed to, I might not have uncovered my passion for writing and literature as early on in life. 

What did you do after you left or graduated from EvCC?

When I graduated from EvCC, I began my B.A. program at CWU. After that, I began the graduate program I'm currently in. In addition to my editorial positions, I will soon begin as a Central Washington University College of Arts and Humanities Alumni Mentor for students interested in learning more about writing, editing, and publishing. I will work one-on-one with CWU students and offer feedback and advice, in the hopes of helping guide them into the careers of their choice. 

Was there anyone during your time at EvCC who acted as a mentor for you?

I didn't have too close of a relationship with anyone at EvCC, honestly. Maybe this was because I was an online student. But I will, again, mention that Kevin Craft's classes were monumental to me. I was brand new to writing and analytically critiquing literature, so my work was pretty weak and it's unlikely that I stood out to him because of that; however, they were path-altering for me and, for that, he holds a special place in my heart. 

What words of advice would you give to current EvCC students?

To current EvCC students, I would suggest that they explore their options. Before you enter a B.A. program, you have the opportunity to figure out what you love and what you're good at. You're at a place in your education where you don't have to focus on one sole subject. This is the time to go outside of your comfort zone and take the classes you are unsure about. I did this and it led me down a path that was unexpected and has now resulted in a developing career that I am proud of and passionate about. 

My debut poetry chapbook, "Hearing the Underwater," is forthcoming publication with Finishing Line Press and will be available for pre-order in September 2018 and released in January 2019. 

Update, May 2019: Savannah graduated from Lindenwood University in December and is now an adjunct English professor at Tarrant County College's online Connect Campus. She is enrolled in an Ed.D. in Higher Education program with Concordia University, which she will begin this August. Beyond her debut chapbook, "Hearing the Underwater," she has had another accepted for publication: "This Body is My Own" (Ghost City Press, August 2019).