Originally from the Chicago area, I've now spent more than half my life in Memphis, Tennessee--an upbringing reflected in most of my literary works. As a Northerner stranded in the South, I longed for true winter once more, so I journeyed to the Northeast after graduating high school.

I'm a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in French and German Language & Cultural Studies. I spent my whole five years at Pitt working with the Western PA Writing Project to improve writing and the teaching of writing in the Pittsburgh area. My work with the Writing Project led me to the realization that I want to further my formal education in fields related to my undergraduate majors and to my personal interests.

I am a 2018-2019 Heinz Fellow. After finishing my Heinz Fellowship, I would love to enter a program which allows me to work on foreign languages and writing, especially if I can combine the two interests.

Follow me on Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter @mishifitz (same username on all platforms).