Ph.D. English alum, Jake Brewer uses the power of writing to create a bright future for students.
Originally from Lake Mills, Wisconsin, Jake attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette after earning a Master of Fine Arts from Oklahoma State University.
He shared, “I’d always wanted to live in Louisiana. Also, the University had a strong funding package.”
Jake earned his Ph.D. in English with concentrations in fiction, medieval literature, renaissance literature, and film.
He appreciates the insightful coursework and dedicated professors through his graduate experience.
“I loved a number of classes. The ones that stick out, immediately, are Dr. Kightley’s old English courses and Dr. Vaught’s Shakespeare and Spenser course, and Dr. Brulotte’s course on Human Sexuality," he said.
"Perhaps the course that assisted me above all—though I didn’t realize it at the time—was Dr. Ryan’s Introduction to Graduate Studies. I was shocked by the rigor, acclimated, and came out on the other side a far more capable graduate student.”
In addition, Jake reflects on positive experiences regarding UL Lafayette’s academic professorship.
“I really cannot impress enough the quality of instruction. My professors were exemplary. At UL Lafayette, I found academic mentorship that was not only affirming, but valuable to an academic career,” he said.
He also believes the emphasis on secondary focuses, comprehensive exams, and teaching opportunities assisted his elevation.
During Jake’s academic journey at UL Lafayette, he became involved with the Thursday Night Reading Series as a writer and a presenter.
After graduating, Jake accepted a position as an Assistant Professor of English at Tarleton State University. He gained experience as a graduate teaching assistant at Oklahoma State University and UL Lafayette.
He said, “I teach creative writing and literature at Tarleton State University, in Texas. We are an R2 school with ~20,000 students. My position is a teaching/research/service position with a 3/3 teaching load (three courses per semester). For my research, I write fiction. Since I’ve been at Tarleton I’ve published (or have forthcoming) seven short stories.”
Jake encourages scholars to keep writing no matter what. In the future, Jake hopes to receive tenure as a professor and continue developing writing ideas.
