Annie Persons

Because my academic work is grounded in the study of history, I am committed to context: at the broadest level, this means I believe that fostering positive growth in people, institutions and cultures requires first understanding what makes them the way they are. As an advisor, then, I aim to connect with students on a personal level in order to help them achieve their academic goals; as a teacher, I likewise aim to help students connect with each other in order to help them evolve as engaged learners and citizens in our shared UVA context.

A Ph.D. candidate in English, I have taught literature and writing classes at UVA and, previously, at Virginia Commonwealth University, where I completed my MFA in poetry. Before VCU, I received my B.A. in English (Honors) from W&L University, where I worked with student and community organizations devoted to addressing and preventing sexual and domestic violence. If I’m not writing, teaching or advising, I’m probably on a jog around town, catching up with friends at the Wine Guild, or playing with my one-eyed cat, Lucy.