Ben Porter
EDUCATION
2015 – 2017 Seattle Central College
Associates Degree
2017 – 2019 Central Washington University
B.A. English—Professional and Creative Writing
Three-time quarterly honor roll.
2019 – 2022 Pacific University
M.F.A English—Creative Writing
Pearl Scholarship Recipient
2022 – Present University of Louisiana
P.h.D. English: Creative Writing
University Doctoral Fellow
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
2019 Pearl Scholarship
2021 Finalist for the William Van Wert Short Fiction Award
2022 University Doctoral Fellowship
2023 Elected to The Honors Society of Phi Kappa Phi
2024 Finalist for the Don DeLillo Literary Lottery Contest
2025 Finalist for the Quarterly West Chapbook Contest
PUBLICATIONS: FICTION
2022 Fiction (Story): “Scout Spirit.” Published in The Madison Review.
2023 Fiction (Story): “Delivery.” Published in Sandy River Review.
2023 Fiction (Story): “Wherein Travis Is Called Upon to Exercise The Five Rules.” Published in BULL.
2023 Fiction (Story): “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed.” Published in Cowboy Jamboree.
2024 Fiction (Story): “The Things I Always Do.” Published in Reckon
Review.
2024 Fiction (Story): “Tienda.” Published in Hominum Journal.
PUBLICATIONS: CREATIVE NON-FICTION
2024 Essay: "Long Gone Dogs." Published in Miracle Monocle.
PUBLICATIONS: ACADEMIC/ CRITICISM
2024 Journal Article: “Thomas Aquinas and Final Causation in The Violent Bear it Away,” Published in Renaesance Journal.
2025 Review Article: "Kierkegaard and Matel: On Michael Hahn's "'Play It Again Asain Ken,'" Published in PACT Desk Set.
CONFERENCES, PRESENTATIONS, READINGS
2022 Graduate Presentation: “Imitation, Vision, and Symbol: Flannery
O’Connor’s Use of Jacques Maritain.”
2022 Fiction Reading: Pacific University Graduate Presentation.
2023 Fiction Reading: Association of Writers and Writing Programs
(AWP) Conference and Bookfair.
2023 Fiction Reading: Thursday Night Reading Series at Beausoleil Books.
2024 Panel Chair: Intersection of Race, Sex, and Gender at the Eighth
Annual Global Souths Conference, March 14th-16th.
2024 Fiction Reading: Thursday Night Reading Series at Cite de Arts.
2024 Presentation and Panel: "Anscombe's Elephants: Creative Writing
and Intention" at The 9th Annual Creative Writing Studies
Conference (CWSC): Creative Writing in Crisis, November 16th-17th.
2025 Fiction Reading: Association of Writers and Writing Programs
(AWP) Conference and Bookfair
INTERVIEWS
2022 Opus Bonum: Mini Conference For Creatives.
2024 Pacific Alumni Craft Talk (PACT Desk Set) Episode 3:
https://pactdeskset.substack.com/i/149268687/episode-pm-
pst
2025 Podcast: PACT Roundtable (four appearances)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2023 English 223—Introduction to Creative Writing
2024 English 101—Introduction to Academic Writing
2025 English 206—American Literature Since 1865 (two sections)
ACADEMIC POSITIONS HELD
2023-Present University Doctoral Fellow at University of Louisiana, Lafayette
ACADEMIC SERVICE
2023 - 2025 Fiction Editor at Rougarou: Journal of Arts and Literature
PAST EXPERIENCE
2022 - Present Doctoral Fellow at University of Louisiana Lafayette
2015 – 2022 Porter Construction | Operations Manager, Corporate Officer
Directs and manages all operations of multi state construction firm; provides day to day direction for all office and accounting staff; assists field management with budgetary and administrative needs; provides cash flow analysis, authorizes all expenditures, maintains electronic file structure, runs human resources, and maintains adherence to state and federal requirements; manages all information and data flow; performs routine file architecture, contract drafting, change order drafting, subcontract creation, and human resource management.
2012 – 2015 Chase Bank | Banker, Manager On Duty (MOD), Series 6 and 63 FINRA, Small Business Specialist (SBS)
Managed day-to-day bank operations, security protocols, and sales team; helped train and manage staff; managed financial portfolios and worked with wealthy clients and investors; sold bank products including mortgages, lines of credit, accounts, investment products, and business banking packages; achieved specialization in small business banking.
2010 – 2012 Kaleo | Administrator
Organized and led periodic team training and classes; prepared and delivered lectures; liaised between office and external vendors, banks, and neighborhood organizations to provide updates, coordinate events, and research service opportunities; kept all financial books and acquired relevant licenses registrations; managed employee and volunteer network.