Fiu Center For Excellence In Writing

e-mail me at:Enzu.Castellanos@fiu.edu

Current Academic:

•FIU Creative Writing MFA Program

•FIU Writing & Rhetoric Program TA

Prior Academic:

•BA in English

Florida International University

•AA in English

Miami-Dade College

Professional Experience:

•Writing Tutor

FIU Center for Excellence in Writing

•Alcoholic Beverage Compliance and

Florida Certified Food Safety and

Sanitation Corporate Trainer

Responsible Vendors, Inc.

•Production Director

C-ROC Artist Co-OP

•Executive Director

Miamagination, Inc.

•Studio Director

Power Studios, Inc.

•Food and Beverage Director

Timba Performance Facility, Inc.

•Artist Development Director

PACE - Performing Arts for Community & Education, Inc.

•Program Director

PALM (Plaza Arts & Live Music), Inc.

I am a first generation Cuban-American, born and raised in South Florida. I have lived in other places, but the Greater Miami area has always been home. Currently, I am working on a Master of Fine Arts degree in the Florida International University Creative Writing Program. Although my focus is the writing of fiction, my path to the program came by way of a professional life that has always relied on creative and concise writing. The through line of my professional life has always been my unwavering support of the artists who chose to reflect on and guide the cultural growth of the community, facilitation of the artistic process to which they are committed, and nurturing of the South Florida audience.

While finishing my under-graduate degree, I was given the opportunity to re-tool my skills as a trainer and organizer in a completely new environment. I worked as a writing tutor at the Florida International University Center for Excellence in Writing (CEW), under the guidance of Acting Director, Cindy Chinelly, and later under Program Director, Dr. Paula Gillespie. This experience introduced me to theories and strategies that helped put me on track toward the next phase of my professional development–becoming a teacher.

Currently, I am a graduate student in the FIU Creative Writing Program, directed by Dr. Les Standiford, a volunteer writing tutor at the CEW, and an ENC 1102-Writing and Composition teaching assistant in the FIU Writing and Rhetoric Program, directed by Dr. Kimberly Harrison.