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.
Wendy is an award-winning journalist and content creator with over 20 years of experience. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in creative writing at Skidmore and went on to earn her Master of Arts in Journalism at NYU. Since 2024, she is senior editor of T Brand Studio, part of The New York Times Advertising. Wendy is the former executive director at BET Digital/BET.com and former managing editor at theGrio.com, Ebony, and Jet. She was also news editor of Essence.com and Essence — making her the only journalist to have worked on staff at three of the nation's most prestigious African American media outlets. Throughout her career, Wendy has interviewed prominent figures including former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, first lady Michelle Obama, and media icon Oprah Winfrey. But she remains most drawn to the stories that highlight everyday people overcoming extraordinary circumstances. Wendy serves as an alumni trustee on Skidmore’s Board of Trustees and is the former diversity and inclusion chair for its Alumni Board.
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 Nick Junkerman
Associate Professor of English
njunkerm@skidmore.edu
Associate Chair Paul Benzon
Associate Professor of English
pbenzon@skidmore.edu
Administrative Assistant Theresa Penn
tknicker@skidmore.edu