The Creative Writing Department at San Juan College (SJC) is growing, and so is the community around it.
With expanded course offerings, dedicated faculty and hands-on creative opportunities, the department is becoming a place where students are encouraged not just to write, but to find confidence in their voices.
Over the past several years, interest in creative writing courses has steadily increased. That momentum has allowed the department to evolve from a small program into one supported by three full-time faculty members, each bringing a distinct background and approach to the classroom.
“I’ve been with SJC for four years now, and having three full-time faculty members has really changed what we’re able to offer,” said AJ Odasso. “It means more courses, more curriculum and more expertise for students.”
Expanding Creative Writing Courses to Meet Student Demand
New course offerings like Intro to Drama Writing and Advanced Creative Writing reflect both student interest and the department’s commitment to creative growth. According to the faculty, these classes were added at exactly the right time.
“We had great feedback from students and their work,” said Travis Wade, who has been with the college for ten years. “People really enjoyed the drama writing and the One Act Festival, so we went ahead and added a full class.”
Intro to Drama Writing introduces students to a different way of storytelling, one focused almost entirely on dialogue, collaboration and performance. “It’s about how people speak and respond in real situations,” Wade explained. “And then turning that writing into something that can actually be seen.”
Advanced Creative Writing gives students space to take their work further. “We’ve had a lot of talented students who were ready for more,” said Kim Henderson. “The class helps students learn about publishing and gives them a chance to develop their work seriously.”
A Flexible Curriculum Designed for Creative Growth
Rather than offering every class each semester, the Creative Writing Department rotates courses intentionally. This approach gives students more opportunities to enroll while preventing overload.
“Intro courses usually run in the fall, with more specialized courses in the spring,” Odasso said. “If we offered everything at once, it would be almost too many choices.”
Faculty collaborate closely when shaping the curriculum, often sharing what works best in their classrooms. Henderson noted that this flexibility allows students to “pursue what they want to pursue” while still building a strong foundation in writing craft.
Faculty Who Write, Teach and Mentor
One of the department’s defining features is its faculty. All three instructors are active writers, and they bring that experience directly into the classroom.
“I teach fiction, and I write fiction,” Henderson said. “Any challenges I find in my own writing, I get to walk through them with my students.”
Odasso emphasizes experimentation and vulnerability. “You’re going to mess up,” they tell students. “You have to be willing to be open to feedback and trust the process.”
For Wade, creative writing is rooted in communication. “More students want to be heard than you’d expect,” he said. “They just need the excuse to say it.”
Publishing Student Voices Through Perspective(s)
That commitment to student expression extends beyond the classroom through Perspective(s), the department’s art and literary magazine. Edited by a student team, the publication features writing and artwork from students and community members alike.
“Seeing their work published gives students a sense that they matter,” Wade said. “It’s something to celebrate and take pride in.”
Discover Your Voice
Faculty agree on one thing: students don’t need to arrive as writers to belong in the Creative Writing Department.
“A lot of students don’t think they can be writers at all,” Henderson said. “I always tell them, come take a class and try it out.”
Ready to explore your creativity? Whether you’re curious about storytelling, poetry, drama or personal essays, the Creative Writing Department at San Juan College offers courses designed to help you grow.
