Academic Curriculum Vitae

Education

 2022  -  2024

Central Washington University 

M.A. in Literary Studies with Teaching Specialization

Focus on the history of composition pedagogy. Creative and professional writing courses complementing GTA experience. 

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2018-2022

Western Washington University

B.A. in Literary Studies & Creative Writing with Minors in Environmental Studies and Technical Writing

Focus on poetry and publication of multimodal creative writing in Jeopardy Magazine. 

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2016-2018

Whatcom Community College

A.S. in Science and Arts

Running start student, graduation with honors, recipient of multiple dean's list awards. 

Presentations

Sebastiani, Mariah. "Multimodality and Transfer in First-Year Composition: A Pedagogical Reflection." ScholarWorks. Ellensburg, WA. June 2024. Initial Submission. Published Presentation. 

Sebastiani, Mariah. "Transforming Together: Building a Brave Space in Academia." Hooding Commencement Ceremony Speech. Ellensburg, WA. June 2024. 

Sebastiani, Mariah. "From Beats to Bravery: Using a Collaborative Playlist in FYC to Promote Belonging." Changing Landscapes, Changing Narratives: Two-Year College English Assocation-PNW Regional Conference. Whatcom Community College. Bellingham, WA. October 2024. Submitted Proposal. 

Sebastiani, Mariah. "Ekphrasis in FYC: Re-Mixing Creative Writing and Academic Binaries." Computer Love: Conference on College Composition & Communication. Baltimore, MD. April 2025. Submitted Proposal.

Sebastiani, Mariah. "A Theoretical and Practical Pedagogical Reflection on Teaching First-Year Composition." Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression. Ellensburg, WA. May 2024. Conference Presentation. 

Low, Mason; Mills, Allison; Renteria-Valencia, Rodrigo; Sebastiani, Mariah; Shipman, Weston; Yanes, Elizabeth. "Why Graduate School?: GSA Executive Testimonies of Academic, Professional and Personal Transformation in CWU Graduate School." Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression. Ellensburg, WA. May 2024. Conference Presentation. 

Collucci, Paula; Martin, Dan; Sebastiani, Mariah. "ePortfolio Workshop." English Department Workshop. Central Washington University. Ellensburg, WA. 1 May 2024. Workshop. 

Flint, Madison; Fricke, Austin; Martin, Paul; Sebastiani, Mariah. "Mocking It Up: Preparing GTAs to Teach First-Year Writing." Writing Abundance CCCC Convention. Spokane, WA. April 2024. Conference Presentation. 

Sebastiani, Mariah. "How to work with a Faculty Mentor." How to S.O.U.R.C.E. Ellensburg, WA. March 2024. Poster Presentation. 

Fricke, Austin; Kyle, Angela; Livingston, Payton; Rodrigo Renteria-Velencia; Sebastiani, Mariah; Steinberg, Erica. "Research Journeys: Briding Undergraduate and Graduate Experiences." Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression. Ellensburg, WA. Spring 2023. Panel Presentation. 

Fricke, Austin; Flint, Maddison; Sebastiani, Mariah; Wenzel, Susan. "Reports from the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Conference." Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression. Ellensburg, WA. Spring 2023. Panel Presentation.

Sebastiani, Mariah. "The Difference Between Empathy and Pity: Mohsin Hamid's Exit West." Studies in Critical Theory. Ellensburg, WA. Spring 2023. Course Presentation. 

Sebastiani, Mariah. "First-Year Composition and Creative Writing: A Transferable Pedagogical Approach to Teaching Ekphrasis." Studies in Advanced Poetry. Ellensburg WA. Spring 2023. Course Presentation. 

Sebastiani, Mariah. "Media Representation in ATLA: "Ember Island Players': Hall's Cultural Stides and Said's Orientalism." Studies in Advanced Critical Theory. Ellensburg, WA. Spring 2023. Course Presentation. 

Sebastiani, Mariah. "Ginny & Georgia: Fanon's Racial Epidermilization in Black Skin, White Mask." Studies in Advanced Critical Theory. Ellensburg, WA. Spring 2023. Course Presentation.

Sebastiani, Mariah. "Barbara Christian and Ginny & Georgia: Resisting Academic Canonization Through Creative Personal Narrative." Studies in Advanced Critical Theory. Ellensburg, WA. Spring 2023. Course Presentation. 

Jolstead, Jared; Mariah Sebastiani. "No Is Not Enough, Naomi Klein." Studies in Advanced Creative Nonfiction. Ellensburg, WA. Fall 2023. Course Presentation. 

Gardner, Miranda; Sebastiani, Mariah. "H of H Playbook by Anne Carson: Book Framing." Studies in Poetry. Ellensburg, WA. Fall 2022.  Course Presentation. 

Sebastiani, Mariah. "Masculinity Studies: Joseph Valentine's 'Irish Manhood in Cyclops'." Intro to Graduate Studies. Ellensburg, WA. Fall 2022. 

Sebastiani, Mariah. "Molly in Penelope: Feminism in Bonnie Scott's Joyce and Feminism." Intro to Graduate Studies. Ellensburg, WA. Fall 2022. 

E-Publications

Sebastiani, Mariah. "Writing Centers and Composition Pedagogy." Advanced Studies in Composition. Google Sites. Spring 2023. Web Self-Publication. 

Sebastiani, Mariah. "The Billy Project". Studies in Systems Thinking; Studies in Storytelling Research. Wix. Spring 2019. Web Self-Publication. 

Rushing, Donna; Sebastiani, Mariah. "Little Traces: a Chapbook". Wix. Bellingham, WA. Spring 2019. Web Self-Publication.  

Scholarships and Awards

Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE) Affiliated Scholars Award. June 2024. 

Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE) English Department Award. June 2024.

William E. Smith Scholarship in Professional and Technical Writing. June 2019. 

Bonnie J. Barthold Scholarship in Creative Writing. June 2019. 

R.B. LeCocq Foundation Memorial Scholarship. June 2018. 

Western Washington University Alumni Association Scholarship. June 2018. 

Compass 2 Campus Scholarship. June 2018. 

Community Involvement

President of Graduate Student Association

Fall 2023 - Spring 2024

Central Washington University

Leader of transformative graduate student (GSA) community. Experience in leading professional development sessions and advocating for student representation at the institutional level. 

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Symposium Session Judge

Spring 2024

CWU Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression

Judged undergraduate oral conference presentations with feedback. 

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Co-Host of Poetry Open Mic Night

Fall 2023 - Spring 2024

Ellensburg Arts Commision

Assisted Ellensburg poet-laureate with promoting and running a monthly community open mic. 

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Event Coordinator for Woodsong Creative Festival

Fall 2022 - Summer 2023

Skookum Kids

Sole coordinator of the first Woodsong Creative Festival. Coordinated and recruited creative workshops with many presenters, exceeding the fundraising goal.