Paige Ackerson-Kiely, director of Sarah Lawrence’s MFA in Writing program, and nonfiction faculty member Heather Harpham recognized early on that Hayley Burgess had something special. Heather’s approach centers on nurturing what is already alive in a student’s work, a philosophy reflected in her course Cells and Stars: Writing the Body, where class often moved outside and writing in nature helped Hayley feel more grounded and embodied. Through close, one-on-one faculty conferences, Hayley gained the confidence to develop her voice, supported by mentorships that value patience, trust, and discovery.
Get to Know Sarah Lawrence College
Founded in 1926 and located just north of New York City, Sarah Lawrence College is a distinctive coeducational liberal arts college known for its pioneering approach to education. Our students share an enthusiasm for intellectual rigor, academic curiosity, creativity, and interdisciplinary work. We’re consistently ranked among the leading liberal arts colleges in the country, offering a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree and multiple professional degrees in the arts, humanities, and sciences.