At Alma College, graduate education is built around a simple but powerful idea: learning should lead to meaningful outcomes. Across disciplines, Alma’s graduate programs combine academic rigor with real-world application, preparing students not only to advance their careers, but to make a difference in their professions and communities. Recent accomplishments from alumni of the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and the Master of Arts in Special Education programs offer a clear picture of that impact in action.

Writing Beyond the Page: MFA Graduates in Creative Writing

Graduates of Alma College’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program are carrying their work well beyond the classroom, applying their craft in teaching, publishing, collaboration, and public-facing literary projects. Designed to nurture writers across genres while emphasizing professional development, the MFA program equips graduates with both artistic depth and practical experience — qualities reflected in the diverse paths alumni are now forging.

Several recent graduates have stepped directly into higher education classrooms. Cash Whitney, MFA ’24, is teaching “Engaging with Modern Texts” at Lawrence Technological University, while Matty Weaver, MFA ’24, realized a longtime goal by becoming an English instructor at Grand Rapids Community College. Their work as educators highlights the program’s emphasis on literary study as something meant to be shared, discussed, and taught.

Other alumni are shaping literary culture through editorial and advocacy work. Marie Gerken, MFA ’23, serves as lead editor and writer for “Dear Eudora,” an online platform supporting primary caregivers of aging loved ones while advocating for dignity and quality of life for elders. She is also the voice behind “The Birch Chronicle: A Reverie of Letters and Books,” a publication devoted to reflective, correspondence-driven literary writing. Together, these projects demonstrate how MFA training can translate into writing that is both artful and socially engaged.

Collaboration and innovation are hallmarks of the program as well. Whitney, Joey Lamson Meyer, MFA ’24, Joshua Zeitler, MFA ’24, and Mary Bishop, MFA ’25 co-founded “The Long and the Short of It,” a literary magazine that embraces bold experimentation and takes literary conversation on the road through live events. Meyer’s debut novel will be published in 2027 by Level Up Publishing.

Joy Bilbey expanded creative boundaries by collaborating with Alma’s dance faculty, blending movement and language in performance. Meanwhile, Mary Peterson, MFA ’23, earned the inaugural Alma MFA Book Prize — an achievement that underscores the program’s commitment to publishing excellence. Collectively, these alumni reflect a program that values connection: between genres, disciplines, and audiences.

Supporting Diverse Learners: MA in Special Education Graduates at Work

Impact takes a different, but equally meaningful, form in Alma College’s online Master of Arts in Special Education program. Designed to empower educators with the skills and knowledge needed to support diverse learners, the program emphasizes expert faculty guidance and practical, real-world application. Graduates leave prepared to make an immediate difference in schools and communities across Michigan.

The program’s first cohort, which graduated in 2024, included 19 educators who earned endorsements in Special Education – Learning Disabilities. These graduates are now serving students in Michigan districts ranging from Grand Blanc and Marshall to Portage, Riverview, and Hancock. Working in public schools and charter academies alike, they bring individualized, evidence-based approaches to classrooms serving students with a wide range of learning needs.

Momentum continued with the 2025 cohort, which grew to 22 graduates and expanded in scope. While some completed the master’s degree alone, others added endorsements in Early Intervention/Cognitive Impairment (EI/CI) or Learning Disabilities, enhancing their flexibility and leadership potential. Graduates now work in Michigan districts including Alma, Midland, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, and Kingsford, with roles that span classroom teaching and district-level coordination. The cohort reflects the program’s ability to meet educators where they are — supporting working professionals as they deepen or broaden their expertise.

The 2026 cohort builds on that foundation. Eleven educators are currently serving in Michigan districts such as Port Huron, St. Louis, Corunna, Detroit, and across northern Michigan, with many actively adding EI/CI endorsements. Their continued professional growth highlights the program’s long-term value, equipping teachers to support students earlier, more comprehensively, and with greater confidence.

Career-Ready by Design

Earning a graduate degree from Alma College is more than an academic milestone — it is an investment in a future defined by purpose and opportunity. Alma’s graduate programs are intentionally designed to equip students with knowledge, hands-on experience, and credentials that stand out in a competitive job market. Whether graduates are advancing in their current roles or pursuing new career paths, they leave prepared to apply what they’ve learned immediately.

With a strong emphasis on real-world application, students develop expertise that employers value, supported by one of Michigan’s leading colleges for master’s degrees. Alma’s alumni network and dedicated career services continue to provide guidance and connection long after graduation, reinforcing the idea that success doesn’t end at commencement.

Start where impact begins. Explore Alma College graduate programs today.