Ph.D. Student in Literature at Ohio State and Creative Writing Instructor at IVY Tech
Lauren Chivington, a former Ohio State University Marion English major, is a prime example of how an English degree can lead to success. Chivington attended Ohio State Marion from the autumn 2015-spring 2018 academic years, after transferring from Columbus State. Although they did not attend all four years at Marion, Chivington shared that the time at Ohio State Marion left a lasting impact on their career.
Chivington recently completed their master's degree at the University of Chicago and is now pursuing a doctorate in literature on Ohio State's Columbus campus. Initially, they wanted to become an English professor, but the master's program introduced them to the world of comic and new media studies, which they fell in love with. Chivington's goal is to become an educator and inspire future generations of students.
Since obtaining their master’s degree, Chivington has had two jobs: one being a Ph.D. student at Ohio State and a second as an adjunct professor at Ivy Tech in Columbus, Ohio. In both jobs, they use all the English skills they acquired at Ohio State Marion. Their English degree from Ohio State gave them the tools to pursue graduate education and continue to pursue a career as an educator. Chivington utilized critical thinking and comprehension skills from courses while at Marion to write their thesis, learn the publication process, and attend graduate school. While an undergraduate, they often visited the Academic Success Center and the writing center at Ohio State Marion to improve their writing skills, which they draw upon every day.
Chivington believes that a degree in English from Ohio State has made them marketable and has served as an integral part of their educational journey. The quality of education they received from English faculty on the Marion campus prepared them for the next steps in their education and career.
If an incoming freshman were to ask her about choosing the English major at Ohio State Marion, Chivington said that the English program at Ohio State Marion is special. The faculty are the best, and the smaller campus and class size helped them get to know each student. Chivington credits the knowledgeable and kind faculty and staff for helping her navigate the major. Their time in the program allowed them to develop writing and critical thinking skills and confirmed their passion for education and the humanities.
Overall, Chivington is grateful for their time at Ohio State Marion and feels lucky to have been a part of the English program there. Their experiences on the Marion campus have set the stage for their future success both inside and outside the classroom.