Jennifer Metsker Named U-M Collegiate Lecturer
Stamps Lecturer IV and Writing Coordinator Jennifer Metsker has been named a U‑M Collegiate Lecturer. The Collegiate Lecturer Program is designed to recognize Lecturers who demonstrate a sustained record of excellence in teaching and learning, service, or other contributions to the university. Collegiate Lecturers retain this title for the duration of their career as a Lecturer, and receive funding in the first two years in the title to support teaching and professional development.
University of Michigan Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Laurie McCauley conferred the honor in a September ceremony, recognizing Metsker and fellow 2024 – 25 Collegiate Lecturers Patrick Boland, Maria Rodriguez, and Ellen Poteet.
Jennifer Metsker is a poet, writer, and multimedia artist. Her book of poetry, Hypergraphia and Other Failed Attempts at Paradise, won the 2021 Editor’s Choice Award from New Issues Press. She has had essays on mental illness published in the anthologies Show Me All Your Scars and The Shell Game. Her poetry has been published in The Southern Review, The Michigan Quarterly, Cream City Review, Birdfeast, and many other journals. She has had poems selected to be included on Verse Daily and Poetry Daily, and her audio poetry has been featured on the BBC radio show Short Cuts.
The following summary is drawn from the letter submitted in support of Metsker’s nomination:
Metsker is a deeply committed educator who engages in self-reflection and critical analysis of her teaching practices. She has significantly enriched the Stamps School curriculum and community through her leadership and expertise. Metsker implements innovative and effective pedagogical methods that cultivate a passion for writing among her students.
In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, she redesigned the Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis-writing assignments and materials, ensuring they meet current educational needs and preparing students for their future careers.
She has been awarded multiple grants, allowing her to develop courses at the Stamps School. She has received multiple awards, including the Avery Hopwood award, Moscow Prize for Excellence in Teaching Composition, and the Academy of American poets prize.
Metsker is noted for her empathy and patience, skillfully meeting students where they are and forging valuable, relevant and inspiring connections with them.
Stamps Associate Professor Stephanie Rowden further described Metsker’s impact, stating, “Jennifer has been the writing coordinator at the Stamps School since 2011, a role she originated. In that time, she has impacted every level of our curriculum, integrating writing into core undergraduate courses through the graduate program, through myriad new courses, workshops, collaborations, 1:1 consultations… the list goes on.”
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