At Skidmore, you can major or minor in English, with a focus on literary studies or creative writing. You’ll sharpen your skills in close reading, research, and analytical writing — preparing for standout careers in publishing, marketing, law, and beyond.
Our curriculum encourages you to slow down and look closer — at language, stories, and ideas — across time, place, and medium. Whether you choose to focus on literary studies or creative writing, you'll build lasting skills and work closely with faculty who will help you sharpen your communication and critical thinking skills.
Visit the Skidmore Course Catalog for:
By developing exceptional writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills, Skidmore English majors thrive in a wide variety of careers and creative pathways.
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“The professors here care, and their dedication extends beyond the classroom. Skidmore professors want to see you succeed — not just on an upcoming exam but in life, as you grow into the person you want to become.”
– Charlotte Mahn '25, English major
Published at Skidmore College since 1969 and considered one of the most influential intellectual quarterlies in the U.S., Salmagundi features provocative essays, criticism, fiction, and interviews with leading thinkers and writers.
Our professors are hard at work outside the classroom too — making contributions to an ever-evolving literary landscape analytically and creatively.
The Golden Fellows Program brings English alumni back to campus each year to share their experiences and mentor current students. Funded by the Golden Hour Endowed Fund, the fellowship highlights the many professional paths open to English majors while strengthening our department’s sense of community.
Golden Fellows meet with students to discuss career options, offer resumé advice, and show how the skills of an English major translate into meaningful work after graduation. It’s one of the many ways in which Skidmore’s English Department connects classroom learning with life beyond campus.
Emma is a career development specialist. She is currently the associate director of Ph.D. programs for the College of Science at Northeastern University.
After graduating from Skidmore College, she worked as a teaching assistant and tutor at a charter high school in Boston. She then attended graduate school, completing a Ph.D. in American & New England Studies at Boston University. She had the joy of returning to Skidmore as a visiting assistant professor of American studies from 2018 to 2019.
For the past five years, Emma has been working in higher education administration, with roles in both career and academic advising. She has spent the past three years at Northeastern University, developing workshops and programs to empower Ph.D. students to develop professional skills and explore career pathways. Emma also teaches courses at Northeastern and works as a freelance writer for a variety of publications.
Catherine Golden joined the Skidmore English Department in 1986. Over the course of four decades, she has taught Victorian literature — from Jane Austen and the Bröntes, to children’s literature and the illustrated book — to several generations of students. Her dedication to students and alumni (along with her homemade jams) has made her a beloved member of the English faculty. In fall 2024, she endowed the Golden Hour Fund that will support in perpetuity student-centered initiatives and activities for English majors, especially those that build community.
Office
Palamountain Hall 313
518-580-5150
Administration
Department Chair Tim Wientzen
Associate Professor of English
twientze@skidmore.edu
Associate Chair Paul Benzon
Associate Professor of English
pbenzon@skidmore.edu
Administrative Assistant Theresa Penn
tknicker@skidmore.edu