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Certificate in Creative Writing

About the Online Certificate in Creative Writing
The Certificate in Creative Writing offers an innovative, collaborative course of study for those who have always wanted to unlock their creativity. Each online course is designed as a workshop in which you explore new ideas, tackle new writing tools, generate original insights and discover your own powers of expression. You create, collaboratively discuss and revise your original writing with feedback from your instructors and your peers. You also engage with a range of assigned readings and multimedia that inform and grow your innovative practice.
The Certificate in Creative Writing offers both basic and advanced workshops and appeals to students new to creative writing as well as students with writing experience who want to learn new skills. Through a series of online courses in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting, the Certificate in Creative Writing focuses on creative writing as a form of critical thinking as a way to reimagine audience and as a space of innovation. Taught by professionals in the field, our courses cultivate both individual and group learning, providing an overview of the field as well as deep dives into literary genres. These creative writing courses are designed as hands-on, intensive study of the subtleties and power of language.
The Certificate in Creative Writing is a 4-course, 4 c.u.* credit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty. To earn a certificate, students complete any four courses offered, in any order. Students who complete the basic certificate may pursue an advanced certificate (6-course, 6 c.u.*) by adding two additional creative writing courses.
Penn LPS Online courses in the Certificate in Creative Writing are offered in accelerated 8-week terms and full terms. Courses in the online certificate program are largely asynchronous with some optional synchronous sessions to be scheduled by the instructors.
You have the option to enroll in individual courses without committing to the entire online certificate, enjoying the flexibility and expertise offered by Penn LPS Online to suit your schedule and interests. Visit the Cost of Attendance page for course tuition and fee rates.
Watch a video of a recent virtual information session to hear from the program team about the Certificate in Creative Writing.
If you are having trouble viewing this video, watch it on YouTube .
*Academic credit is defined by the University of Pennsylvania as a course unit (c.u.). A course unit (c.u.) is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term (semester or summer). A c.u. (or a fraction of a c.u.) represents different types of academic work across different types of academic programs and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. One c.u. is usually converted to a four-semester-hour course.
The Certificate in Creative Writing prepares you to:
- Understand how text conveys meaning across a variety of literary genres and styles
- Explore how to use innovation, flexibility, and collaboration to cultivate a creative writing practice
- Create, revise and edit your original writing in multiple literary genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting
Certificate students who complete four of the online courses listed below earn a Certificate in Creative Writing. Those students are then eligible to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing by taking two additional courses.
- CRWR 1010: The Craft of Creative Writing
- CRWR 1600: Modern and Contemporary US Poetry
- CRWR 2010: Poetry Workshop
- CRWR 2400: The Art of Editing
- CRWR 2600: Fiction Workshop
- CRWR 2800: Narrative Collage
- CRWR 3000: Writing About Place
- CRWR 3200: Screenwriting
- CRWR 3600: Advanced Nonfiction
- CRWR 3700: Journalism
Courses are subject to change.
See Course Tuition
Meet The Faculty

Julia Bloch
- Faculty Director, Penn LPS Online Certificate in Creative Writing
- Director, Creative Writing Program

- Director, Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing

Laynie Browne
- Poet, prose writer, teacher and editor

Scott Burkhardt
- Lecturer in cinema and media studies

Christy Davids
- Teacher, poet and assistant editor at The Conversant

Lise Funderburg
- Lecturer in creative writing

Jeff T. Johnson
- 2017-2018 Digital Studies Fellow at Rutgers University-Camden

Dick Polman
- Povich Writer-in-Residence at the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing (CPCW)

- Writer, editor, teacher
Careers related to creative writing
The Certificate in Creative Writing is designed to enhance your writing and storytelling skills and provide a framework for a creative process that can be applied to a myriad of professional roles including:
- Advertising copywriter
- Fundraising/development consultant
- Author and journalist

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About the Creative Writing Program
Delivery method.
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Required Courses
Students must complete all 5 courses listed below. Classes can be taken in any order.
Grammar Lab WCWP-40234
Units: 3.00
Grammar Lab (WCWP-40234)10 Weeks | OnlineThis ten-week online Grammar Lab course is skillfully designed to meet the needs of all students. It is beneficial for those with little grammar experience and...
Upcoming Start Dates:
The art and craft of creative writing wcwp-40107.
The Art and Craft of Creative Writing 10 Weeks | Online Course Description/Goals: Creative writing begins when the spark of an idea ignites the fuel of language. The writer picks up a pen or presse...
Developing Unforgettable Characters WCWP-40245
Units: 2.00
Whether you are writing short fiction, a novel, or memoir, characters are what draw your reader in and make them care enough to read on. This course offers methods for creating three-dimensional chara...
Finding Our Voices, Telling Our Stories: Part I WCWP-40142
Within you there dwells an innate sense of storytelling and a unique voice with which to tell your stories. In this course you will explore writing techniques to help you locate and refine the natura...
Writers Workshop: Read and Critique WCWP-40252
Read and critique is a way possibly the only way for writers to hear how their writing sounds to others. The thoughtful, objective and constructive feedback you receive will tell you how your writ...
Students must choose minimum 2 units of Literature from any of the classes below
Women and Madness LIT-40069
In the 19th century, a strange marriage of art, literature, science, and psychology catapulted society’s obsession with the archetypal madwoman into the mainstream. Pathologies that had once been used...
Gender Identity and Literature: Him, Her, Us LIT-40071
Gender is infinitely more intricate than the biological question of sex. Uncover the cultural, social and political implications of gender identity in three powerful works. Kiss of the Spider Woman, b...
Ernest Hemingway: Titan of American Literature LIT-40064
Ernest Hemingway wrote “All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they had really happened and after you are finished reading one you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwar...
American Literature: Stories of Immigration LIT-40022
Explore this Unique Take on Immigration Stories Immigration has once again taken center stage in the national spotlight, giving artists, writers and thinkers another opportunity to consider and help r...
Glittering Wit: Three Works by Oscar Wilde LIT-40099
Famous, and infamous, for his brilliant turn of phrase, seething social commentary and flamboyant personality, Oscar Wilde was the toast of the literary world throughout the 1880’s and 1890’s. Join us...
History of Children's Literature LIT-40093
Gain a deep understanding of the history of children s literature by studying classics of post-enlightenment writing for children. This course provides children s book writers, illustrators and enthus...
Students must choose 12 units of electives from any of the classes below
Novel Writing I WCWP-40187
The greatest challenge to writing a first novel may be deciding where to start. This course will help you write an engaging first paragraph and a draft of at least the first chapter. You may also work...
Novel Writing II WCWP-40297
Are you ready to develop a significant portion of your novel? This workshop will bring you valuable feedback on your work, including suggestions for revision. Class discussion will focus on the struct...
Novel Writing III WCWP-40254
This class will prepare you for the big picture review of your novel. With the use of contemporary and classic novels as examples, you will evaluate the progress on the plot arc and character developm...
Creative Non-Fiction
Memoir writing wcwp-40200.
Many of us have had fascinating lives, whether lived inwardly or outwardly, during childhood long ago or in the past decade. But when it comes to writing a memoir, where do we begin? The day of our bi...
Self-Editing and Publishing for the Web WCWP-40313
The ability to edit your own written work is a skill that s highly valued by employers and publishers. This class focuses on strengthening your writing for the web using journalistic techniques. Wheth...
News and Feature Writing WCWP-40276
The goal of this course is to introduce you to the purpose of journalism and the fundamentals of news and featue writing. In this ever-changing media landscape, one thing can remain constant: an indiv...
The Writer's Art of Interviewing WCWP-40123
Effective interviewing techniques translate to writing that is clear, lively, and depending on the writer s mission instructive or entertaining. This course will encompass all the integral compone...
Finding Our Voices, Telling Our Stories: Part II WCWP-40338
This course is a continuation of Finding Our Voices, Telling Our Stories: Part I. In this course students will continue to build upon the story they created in the first section of this series of clas...
Children's Writing
Writing children's picture books wcwp-40261.
Let the wild rumpus begin! Do you dream of imaginary lands and mythical creatures? Learn how to inspire a child s imagination by giving them the tools necessary to explore the world around them. The ...
Writing for Children I: Introduction WCWP-40186
Have you ever told yourself that someday you will write a children s book? Now s your chance! Join us as we demystify the writing process and examine the wide variety of books offered to children: pi...
Writing for Children II: Intermediate WCWP-40315
Revision is the key to improving your work to reach the next level: publication. But often the hardest part is to figure out which words to cut, which to leave in, and how to tighten up the rest. Thi...
Writing for the Middle Grade/YA Reader WCWP-40274
Discover how successful middle grade and young adult books are crafted, and begin to plot out and write a tale of your own. In this course, we will consider how a plot works, what makes a compelling ...
Writing Non-Fiction and Informational Books for Children WCWP-40327
The market for children s nonfiction and informational books and articles has never been better. In this course, which can be taken by those familiar with writing for children and those just beginnin...
General Electives
Forms of poetry wcwp-40308.
Amy Lowell wrote, "No one expects a man to make a chair without first learning how, but there is a popular impression that the poet is born, not made, and that his verses burst from his overflowing he...
Nature Writing: The True Muse WCWP-40342
Nature Writing: The True Muse (WCWP-40342)6 Weeks | Online As writers, we are the witness and voice of our time, and as such, we are invited to translate what we experience to share and celebrate wit...
The Business of Writing
Building a business around writing wcwp-40321.
Units: 1.00
There a many avenues to building a business around writing. In this short course we will briefly discuss various possibilities including becoming a book author, freelance writer for hire, or journal...
The Art and Business of Blogging WCWP-40334
In this course students will learn the art of writing for an online audience, how to create a basic Wordpress site, insert blog posts, edit, and brand their blog. This course will also touch on how to...
Conditions for Admission
Students should have a native level of fluency in English and be able to write clear, logical and grammatically-correct sentences.
Certificate Guidelines
The program consists of earning at least 28 quarter units in Creative Writing and related courses. Students should be able to complete the entire certificate program in 2.5 years or less depending on their work load.
Students must pass all 14 units of required classes, 2 units of Literature, and choose 12 units from our listed electives in order to receive the certificate.
Advisory Board
Benjamin Doller
Professor and Author
UC San Diego
Author and Professor Emerita of Writing and Literature
University of CA, San Diego
Judy Reeves
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This certificate requires an application before taking any courses. There will be a $0 fee to apply to this program. Students will also be required to pay a $95 certificate fee upon enrollment into the program after acceptance. View the complete Certificate Registration and Candidacy Guidelines.

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Certificate Program in Writing
Natalie Lynn Harrison has published work in independent literary journals.
Graduate, Certificate Program in Writing Read Natalie Lynn Harrison's story .
Getting Started
We recommend beginning with ENGLISH X429 The Craft of Reading , ENGLISH X421 The Craft of Writing or ENGLISH X13 Writing Skills Workshop .
Online Availability
Courses in this certificate are offered online and in the classroom.
Duration of Study
8 courses for a minimum of 16 semester units (240 hours of instruction).
Estimated Cost
Calling all writers: join our community and get serious about your craft. Ready your work for publication or simply gain formal training. You'll read exemplary literary works and learn from published writers who provide structure, support and thoughtful feedback.
Directors of several San Francisco Bay Area M.F.A. programs helped develop the UC Berkeley Department of English–approved curriculum. Whether your goal is publication or landing a coveted spot in an M.F.A. writing program, this flexible program can meet your needs and schedule.
Required Courses
3 Course(s)
0 Course(s)
You may enroll in individual courses without registering for the certificate.
We recommend beginning the certificate with the following required courses.
Not Available
Electives (Literature)
2 Course(s)
Electives (Writing Workshop)
Courses of related interest, certificate and program policies.
- Substitutions and Waivers
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Contact Information
To contact the department office, email [email protected] .
88% of writing graduates surveyed are likely to recommend UC Berkeley Extension.
94% of writing graduates surveyed felt more qualified to submit their writing for publication after completing our Writing program.
87% of writing graduates surveyed felt more qualified to apply to an M.F.A. degree after completing our program.
85% of writing graduates surveyed would consider taking another course with UC Berkeley Extension.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for the Certificate Program in Writing, but a bachelor's degree is recommended.
Curriculum Requirements
The Certificate Program in Writing comprises 8 courses for a minimum of 16 semester units (240 hours of instruction), which includes 3 required courses and 5 restricted electives selected from 2 categories: literature (2 courses) and writing workshops (3 courses). Candidates must pay a nonrefundable certificate application fee.
All courses must be taken for a letter grade. To receive the certificate, you must maintain an overall minimum 2.5 grade point average, with a grade of C or better in each course. A Certificate With Distinction will be awarded to those who complete the certificate with a GPA of 3.9. All coursework must be completed within five years. The completion of two courses per year is recommended in order to maintain sufficient academic progress in the certificate.
How to Register
By registering, you declare your intention to complete the curriculum. To register online for the Certificate Program in Writing, complete these two steps:
- Submit the online registration , and complete your student account profile if you are a new student.
- Pay the nonrefundable registration fee through your shopping cart. Please allow 3–5 business days for the registration to appear in your student account.
Each course is priced individually, and you pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The certificate has an estimated total cost of approximately $6,000 (not including course materials or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.
Certificate and Award Request
Once you have completed the certificate coursework, notify UC Berkeley Extension that you have completed the curriculum and request your certificate. Send an email to [email protected] or call (510) 643-1110. After your records have been reviewed, verified and approved, your certificate will be sent to you in the mail. The review of your records is usually completed within six to eight weeks after you request the certificate.
Advisory Board
To ensure that your professional certificate is of the highest quality, UC Berkeley Extension turns to experienced writers, outstanding teachers and published authors for advisers and instructors.
Stephen Albert , M.F.A., University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, also holds an M.A. from the University of Iowa School of Journalism and a teaching credential from the UC Berkeley School of Education
Lewis Buzbee is the author of eight books of fiction and nonfiction. He also teaches in the M.F.A. in Writing Program at the University of San Francisco.
Thaisa Frank , award-winning author and instructor in the creative writing graduate programs at San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco, as well as at UC Berkeley Extension
Deborah Lichtman , Ph.D., author, teacher, curriculum instructor and former director of the University of San Francisco creative writing graduate program
Lynn Mundell , M.F.A., American University, creative writer, co-founder/co-editor of 100 Word Story , an editorial professional with 30 years of experience working in newspapers, the arts and corporations
Jane Anne Staw , Ph.D., author and teacher in the University of San Francisco creative writing graduate program, as well as an honored instructor at UC Berkeley Extension
Hertha Sweet Wong , Ph.D., associate professor in UC Berkeley's English Department and chair of UC Berkeley's Department of Art Practice
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Creative Writing Certificate Program | Northwestern SPS - Northwestern School of Professional Studies
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Program Overview
Creative Writing
Creative Writing Certificate Program
Writers who are serious about their craft can create a custom course of study to prepare for graduate programs in creative writing. In this post-baccalaureate certificate program, students hone their craft, formalize their training and build a solid portfolio of work for application to MFA and MA/ PhD programs in writing. Courses are conducted as writing workshops to allow for valuable feedback from a community of fellow writers. As students analyze and write creative work and learn about the publishing world, their creative development is guided by instructors who are respected writers themselves. Students can explore a variety of writing areas, or they may specialize their course of study based on experience and discipline — fiction, creative nonfiction or poetry. Classes meet on campus in Chicago or Evanston.
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About the Creative Writing Certificate Program
Creative writing goals and courses, creative writing tuition, admission for creative writing, creative writing registration information, find out more about the creative writing certificate program, program goals.
Creative Writing post-baccalaureate certificate students will:
- Explore a range of literary works and aesthetic approaches
- Gain a rigorous background in the fundamentals of creative writing by working with established poets and prose writers
- Learn about the literary publishing industry and develop a sense of the writer's position within it
- Build a solid portfolio through the development of a regular writing practice
Required Courses
Four from the following:
- ENGLISH 206 Reading/Writing Poetry*
- ENGLISH 207 Reading/Writing Fiction
- ENGLISH 208 Reading/Writing Creative Nonfiction
- ENGLISH 307-A Advanced Fiction I
- ENGLISH 307-B Advanced Fiction II
- ENGLISH 308-A Advanced Nonfiction I
- ENGLISH 308-B Advanced Nonfiction II *course availability varies year to year
In addition to the minimum of four required courses, students may complete literature courses in SPS.
Students should have some academic writing experience before starting the Creative Writing post-baccalaureate certificate.
The recommended start time for this program is fall quarter.
View Creative Writing Courses
Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, visit the Tuition page.
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found at the Admission page.
Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found at the Registration Information page.

Creative Writing Certificate Program
Illustration by valerie tran, announcements, writing contests.
The deadline for the Parker Prizes and Kruger Fellowships was March 1, 2023, and the submission window is now closed. Results will be announced in mid-April.
Admission Applications
The priority deadline for applications for fall admission to the Undergraduate Creative Writing Certificate Program was March 1, but applications will continue to be accepted until mid-July, or until all available seats are filled.
CREATIVE WRITING CERTIFICATE APPLICATION
The application has TWO parts:
1) Fill out the CREATIVE WRITING CERTIFICATE APPLICATION
2) Upload your Writing Sample to the WRITING SAMPLE FOLDER
WRITING SAMPLE
- Fiction: up to 2,500 words total (one story, several stories, or a novel excerpt)
- Poetry: up to 5 pages total (one poem or several poems)
Please include your Name and EID on the writing sample and in the file name: Last_First_EID
Ongoing Opportunities
Check back often for more links to publishing, contest, and internship opportunities.
- Writer's League of Texas
- Texas Book Festival
- Poets and Writers Magazine
The Writers' League of Texas provides internship, networking, literary, and educational opportunities in Austin and around the state, as well as an annual conference featuring literary agents and editors.
The Texas Book Festival , one of the largest in the country, takes place annually in late October / early November, but offers volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
Poets and Writers magazine lists contests, fellowships, grants, and literary journals for writers of all levels.

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Creative Writing Certificate

A certificate program for aspiring writers
Best-selling novels, blockbuster movies and award-winning poems all start with an idea…but the crucial next step of creating words to convey and express those ideas can be daunting. Our customizable Creative Writing Certificate program provides individualized guidance from experienced instructors who have published works in multiple genres. Explore methodologies across all writing categories as you refine both your personal style and voice utilizing the most effective tools and techniques. Schedule flexibility combined with a variety of elective options allows you to tailor the curriculum based on personal interests and skill sets. Build your platform and grow your brand as you work to successfully achieve your writing goals.
The following types of students will benefit from this program:
- Working professionals looking to bolster their writing skills
- Aspiring authors eager to become published
- Hobbyists seeking to hone their craft
Program objectives
After successfully completing this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of professional writing techniques spanning all aspects of the writing process
- Utilize the practical knowledge of how to grow their platform, evaluate the commercial potential of their work, and move toward publishing
- Create a tangible testament to their academic achievement in the field
Certificate requirements
To receive the certificate, students must:
- Complete all four (4) of the core courses
- Complete at least three (3) elective courses
- Attend at least 80% of the class sessions in each course
- Satisfy all program requirements within 18 months
All courses are also offered open enrollment, meaning anyone can register for them regardless of affiliation with Emory or desire to complete the certificate program. Students must apply for and be accepted into the Advanced Revision Workshop .
View writing submission guidelines .
Certificate overview
Duration 12-18 months
Cost $3,045
Time commitment 84 hours
Students should complete the four (4) required courses in the order listed below.
Students must complete three (3) of the following electives before, during, or after the required courses.
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Writing Certificate
Online certificate program in novel writing.
Have you always wanted to write a novel? The Online Certificate Program in Novel Writing is designed to help you fulfill that dream.
To receive updates about the program , add yourself to the Online Writing Certificate mailing list .
- Academic Schools
- School of Arts and Sciences
- English Studies Department
Creative Writing Graduate Certificate (online)

Gain a rigorous background in the fundamentals of creative writing with our 100% online graduate certificate.
New Program - Begins Fall 2022
Request Information Apply Now
Certificate Overview
The 12 credit graduate certificate in Creative Writing is designed for students looking to:
- prepare their creative writing for publication.
- prepare materials to apply to MFA or PhD programs.
- learn about the marketplace for creative writing.
- become a member of a writing community and to gain valuable experience from working with actively publishing professional writers.
The program offers courses in poetry and prose throughout the year, and during the summer. Although you can complete the program in as little as one year, you have six years to complete the program.
Career Opportunities
Graduates could get a job as an editor, freelance writer, novelist, or professor, or they could pursue an MFA or doctoral program.
Register for classes
Curriculum and Other Information
- Creative Writing Graduate Certificate - Program information from the University Catalog.
- Students will learn how to prepare their creative writing for publication.
- Students will learn how to prepare materials for application to MFA or Ph.D. Programs.
- Students will learn about the marketplace for creative writing and how to become a member of the writing community.
- Students will gain experience about the field by working with actively publishing professional writers.
Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling admission basis. Admissions requirements are as follows:
- An official transcript of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- 10 page sample of creative writing
- Graduate application and fee
School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education
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Creative Writing Certificate Program

Overview: Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing
This fully-online graduate certificate program is designed for creative writers seeking to sharpen their skills and work toward publishable fiction and/or poetry, and also for teachers seeking to improve and enhance their pedagogy of Creative Writing.
Through a foundational course in techniques followed by workshop classes in which original creative work is read and critiqued, students will complete and revise a body of work under the guidance of experienced teachers and authors from Bowling Green State University’s acclaimed Creative Writing Program. Students will complete 12 hours of graduate level coursework.
To review the department's course rotation, please visit here .
Apply Today!
Tuition costs.
Applicants should follow the instructions outlined in the “Graduate Admissions” section of the Graduate Catalog. The online application can be reached from https://www.bgsu.edu/graduate/admissions . All application materials are submitted online.
Applicants are required (1) a Statement of Purpose that identifies the program for which admission is sought and explains preparation for the program, the purpose for enrolling in it, and professional goals relevant to the program; and (2) a Writing Sample: either 8 – 10 double-spaced pages of prose, or 5 pages of poetry.
Applicants currently enrolled in the Online MA in English at Bowling Green State University need only submit a Statement of Purpose.
Students will complete:
- Either ENG 6300 Technique of Poetry, or ENG 6310 Technique of Fiction
- Three sections of ENG 6320 Graduate Writers Workshop in any genre.
Sections are offered in either Fiction, Poetry, or Nonfiction
- ENG 6300 Technique of Poetry
- ENG 6310 Technique of Fiction
- Two sections of ENG 6320 Graduate Writers Workshop in any genre.
English Department
Brad Felver, Chair English Department Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH 43403 419-372-7543 [email protected]
Jeanne R. Berry (she/her/hers) Secretary to the Chair [email protected]
Updated: 11/16/2022 12:44AM

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