I am a New York Times bestselling author, a Forbes 30 under 30 leader alumna in media, and two-time National Magazine Award-winning journalist who has several years of editorial and professorial experience.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Lecturer
Princeton University
09.2023 - 06.2024
Led undergrad courses in fiction and arts programming to strengthen students' prose and critical analysis towards global literature
Created lesson plans and course content to maintain consistent, enthusiastic student engagement
Mentored and advised students with regards to their senior theses and post-graduate career plans
Visiting Professor
The New School
09.2022 - 06.2023
Led fiction workshops in the Creative Writing MFA program
Encouraged class discussions with open-ended questions to track student participation
Instructed and evaluated students on their graduate theses
Visiting Faculty
Middlebury College
06.2022 - 06.2022
Participated as a fiction faculty member in the Bread Loaf Environmental Writers' Conference
Led a master class on how the city influences madness in the works of Baldwin, Dostoevsky, and Kōbō
Delivered a lecture on the function of silence in Toni Morrison's "Recitatif"
Temporary Special Project Editor
New York Magazine
12.2021 - 03.2022
Co-led commemorative Trayvon Martin issue with The Cut's Editor-in-Chief, Lindsay Peoples
Edited investigative journalism pieces, creative nonfiction, and reported features
Participated in a panel with contributors on the legacy of the Black Lives Matter movement
Won a National Magazine Award in March 2023 in the Single Topic issue category
Senior Culture Editor
ESPN
03.2021 - 12.2021
Spearheaded editorial series on topics, such as publication's fifth anniversary and the nature of Black artists during COVID-19
Cultivated a freelance roster of emerging writers, established authors, and leading scholars
Edited daily takes, reported features, and essays
Met deadlines and requirements regardless of workload
Nonfiction Professor
Pacific University
01.2021 - 06.2021
Used different learning modes and types of technology to engage students in achieving learning outcomes.
Created dynamic learning environment that valued instructor and student interaction.
Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, resulting in clear subject matter discussion with students.
Visiting Professor
Columbia University
09.2018 - 06.2021
Led seminars on nonfiction writing and workshops on how to pitch publications and navigate the publishing industry
Evaluated student theses, some of which have landed them with agents and book deals
Supported creative works with the intent for publication
Senior Editor
Medium
07.2019 - 03.2021
Coordinated the ZORA Literary Canon - the most visited and recognized editorial package for the company to date
Managed columnists across politics, culture, and sex and relationships categories
Prepared, rewrote, and edited pieces to improve readability and impact.
Oversaw story pitches, assignments, final revisions and layouts.
Picador Chair
Leipzig University
10.2019 - 12.2019
Taught a literature class on Black women across the diaspora as well as a creative writing class
Completed speaking engagements and readings across the country
Guided international students seeking to further their artistic careers in the United States
Represented the university at speaking engagements across Germany
Associate Editor
Catapult
09.2015 - 07.2017
Scouted emerging writers in order to solicit pitches
Built relationships with established writers, literary agencies, and organizations
Collaborated with graphics department to develop and implement visual elements.
Communicated directly with writers to collaboratively assess work and guide editorial improvements.
Determined readiness of written pieces, made changes, and approved final versions for publication.
Education
Master of Arts - Writing And Literature
Bennington College
Bennington College
06.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Comparative Literature
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
06.2014
Skills
Proficient in Japanese, Russian, Spanish, French and Portuguese
Able to type 100 words per minute
Communication skills
Leadership experience
Problem-solving capabilities
Books
Zeal (Harper, 2025)
Caul Baby (Harper, 2021)
Wandering in Strange Lands (2020)
This Be My Undoing (Harper Perennial, 2018)
Details
New York, (856) 723-1670, morganjerkins@gmail.com
Timeline
Lecturer
Princeton University
09.2023 - 06.2024
Visiting Professor
The New School
09.2022 - 06.2023
Visiting Faculty
Middlebury College
06.2022 - 06.2022
Temporary Special Project Editor
New York Magazine
12.2021 - 03.2022
Senior Culture Editor
ESPN
03.2021 - 12.2021
Nonfiction Professor
Pacific University
01.2021 - 06.2021
Picador Chair
Leipzig University
10.2019 - 12.2019
Senior Editor
Medium
07.2019 - 03.2021
Visiting Professor
Columbia University
09.2018 - 06.2021
Associate Editor
Catapult
09.2015 - 07.2017
Master of Arts - Writing And Literature
Bennington College
Bachelor of Arts - Comparative Literature
Princeton University
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