With the sunlight from the huge window in her office shining in, Professor Nicole Santalucia sits planning to create a positive work environment for every class period. Santalucia, who teaches Intro to Creative Writing, Intro to Poetry and WIFYS among others, finds inspiration in her students. “My students inform some of my poems, sometimes they end up in a poem, sometimes they help shape the idea of a poem,” Santalucia said. “I often write with my students during workshops in class. It is important that students know and see that we are part of the same writing community.” 

Santalucia began her writing career at Cazenovia College in Upstate New York. She then went on to earn her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees. Although Santalucia claims she was never good at writing, it is what motivated her to want to succeed more through both academic and creative writing. 

Santalucia had to face many obstacles to get where she is now not only in her career but personal life as well. She had struggled in high school and had to overcome her personal battles to make room for clarity and success. Throughout college, she worked 60 hours a week and balanced 5 classes, but she continued to keep one thing consistent in her life, which was writing. Santalucia stated, “Writing kept me on the path that lead me to where I am now.”

During her career as a writer, Santalucia has had many accomplishments such as one full length book, one chap book and is currently working on her second full length book as well. Although those are huge steps in her career, she tries to be grateful for the little things in life too. 

Through having many years of experience, Santalucia has taught many classes but is always fascinated by the students she comes across. “The students in my creative writing and poetry classes are encouraged to take risks in their writing and this requires dedication to the craft and awareness, as well as engagement with other writers,” she said.

Santalucia says that many of the students work very hard to find their entry point into the important conversation about the process of writing and developing their voices throughout their work. They continue to work on this even long after the semester ends. “I would certainly say this is what a hardworking, dedicated student looks like,” Santalucia said about her students. 

While Santalucia has worked at the Shippensburg University, she says her favorite part is getting to grow with her students through different phases of life. It gives her new and healthy perspectives and helps her to strive as a writer herself as well. “The best part of my job is when I get to witness students find their voices and then use them to make a difference in the world,” Santalucia said.

She wants to stay writing and teaching students. For the future, her ultimate goal is to trust the process and approach things with an open and clear mind.

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