Kimberly Ann Southwick-Thompson
Election
Position
Name
Kimberly Ann Southwick-Thompson
Candidate statement
My dual identities as a poet and scholar make me a compelling candidate for the open EDIS Member-at-Large position. In 2023, my debut collection of poetry, Orchid Alpha came out, and I teach both Creative Writing and Literature at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, USA. I have been present at the EDIS conferences/annual members meetings since my membership began. As the founder and editor of the literary-arts journal, Gigantic Sequins, I have connections in the small press poetry world that could be beneficial for the society, particularly with its goals of increasing visibility and membership.
I have experience building a social media following from running the journal as well, and I currently serve on the Website Committee of EDIS, overseeing our social media posts. I am also a co-admin on the EDIS Discord, where I hope my experience from the JSU chapter of the UCW/CWA union might be of use as EDIS begins to work on moving its Communities to that platform. When I first met many of the EDIS members in Sevilla, I was struck by everyone’s warmth and enthusiasm. I hope to continue to spread that warmth to potential new members as a Member-at-Large. I would be happy to bring my perspective and experience as someone living in the American South who is both poet and scholar to this role.
I have experience building a social media following from running the journal as well, and I currently serve on the Website Committee of EDIS, overseeing our social media posts. I am also a co-admin on the EDIS Discord, where I hope my experience from the JSU chapter of the UCW/CWA union might be of use as EDIS begins to work on moving its Communities to that platform. When I first met many of the EDIS members in Sevilla, I was struck by everyone’s warmth and enthusiasm. I hope to continue to spread that warmth to potential new members as a Member-at-Large. I would be happy to bring my perspective and experience as someone living in the American South who is both poet and scholar to this role.