Derrick Harriell is the director of the Master of Fine Arts-Creative Writing Program and assistant professor of English and African-American Studies at UM. He holds a Ph.D. in English, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (2012) and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Chicago State University. He's worked as assistant poetry editor for Third World Press and The Cream City Review and has taught community writing workshops for individuals of all ages, including senior citizens. A two-time Pushcart Nominee, Harriell's poems have appeared in various literary journals and anthologies. Cotton (Aquarius Press-Willow Books 2010) is his first collection of poems. He is the author of three collections of poetry & was the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters 2014 Poetry Award Winner. His essays and book reviews have been published widely.