A Return to Academia

During the early and mid teens of the 21st century, Yours truly worked part-time as an instructor at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I also did the occasional guest teaching at City College of San Francisco and my alma mater, Ursinus College.

I taught film production, production management, and, of all things, dance (ballet and musical theater jazz). Departed the former Golden State in 2018 to return to New York City, and retired from the motion picture industry at the same time.

To fill some semi-retirement time, I searched for teaching jobs at local college, universities, charter, Catholic, and prep schools. Was rebuffed with every effort due to the lack of a Masters degree. Did not need it in California to work at the University level.

And, until Covid hit, had no interest in pursuing the advanced degree.

Then. PRESTO! Instant motivation borne of the depressing visuals of too many surgical masks on solo drivers; truncated exercise opportunities; and numb-skulling streaming series.

Searched for university which would accept a near recipient of Medicare into either school's M.A. in Literature, or an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. The choices came down to Columbia or City University of New York. Ironically, two schools within walking distance of each other . . . as long as you don't mind strolling through Harlem with an evident glow-in-the-dark complexion.

Being a tightwad, and noticing the plummeting reputation of Ivy League universities in general, I opted for CUNY, and am glad I did. The school had a balanced curriculum (15 required literature credits in addition to the 15 credits of writing workshops AND 9 credits of practical skills in the world of prose and exposition), and an exceptional roster of professors.

The degree took eight semesters of part-time study, but completed in December of 2024. I graduated with a cumulative average of 3.93. A full grade point higher than my feeble effort struggling to earn my Bachelor's degree from Ursinus College in 1979.

Incredible what a fully developed cerebral cortex can accomplish.

Three months after getting the diploma, I received an email from The Ringling College of Art & Design. Despite its big-top circus implications, it's a stellar institution training fine and commercial artists for decades.

The college interviewed me for an instructor's position in the Creative Writing department. Two courses, scriptwriting and creative writing with a romance bent.

Despite warnings from prank-loving references; a questionable approach to study as evidenced by my undergrad transcript; and a short-circuited M.A. attempt at Villanova University, RCAD hired me.

I start August 19th.

Alert the student body and their parents.

It's the fair thing to do.