English and Communication

Associate Professor Frederick-Douglass Knowles II named Hartford’s First Poet Laureate

Three Rivers Professor named Poet Laureate Three Rivers Community College is excited to share that Associate Professor Frederick-Douglass Knowles II has been named Hartford’s First Poet Laureate. In this role, he will promote awareness and appreciation of poetry, spoken word, and writing in Hartford; and endeavor to instill pride in the community.

Three Rivers President Mary Ellen Jukoski congratulates Knowles on the appointment saying, “This is a wonderful honor for Professor Knowles. We take pride in his positive achievement and wish him continued success on this auspicious occasion.”

On his accomplishment, Knowles says, “I am truly grateful for this opportunity. My grandmother, Marjorie Sloan Bell Knowles, was a Hartford native and this gives me a chance to extend my family roots. My goal is to bridge the gap between literary and performance poetry with a literacy campaign that will stretch into schools and the Hartford Public Library system. I want to stress what a role poetry has played in my life and how it led me down this path of authorship, leadership, professorship, and civic activism. It is so important to follow our passions, and it has led to this monumental moment in my life.”

Knowles is an Associate Professor of English who has taught at Three Rivers for 11 years in the English and Communications Department. He also teaches classes at a local prison as part of the Three Rivers Community College Second Chance Pell Grant program. In addition to serving as the Three Rivers representative on CSCU’s Students First Consolidation Committee, he co-founded the Men Against Domestic Violence Artistic Expression annual event which consists of music, poetry readings and performances, and a live artist painting. Knowles also chairs the TRCC Community Involvement Committee.

In the News | For first-ever poet laureate, Hartford taps resident and Norwich Community College professor

After graduating from Eastern Connecticut State in 1999, Knowles began reading poems from a notebook at Signatures Cafe, a Hartford spot for spoken-word poetry. By 2004, his interest in poetry had grown to encompass written verse as well, and after earning his master’s at Southern Connecticut State, Knowles joined the faculty at Three Rivers. He lives in Parkville today.

As Hartford’s poet laureate, Knowles will act as both “a creator of poetry providing insight into our city,” Richard Hollant, Hartford’s commissioner on cultural affairs, wrote in a letter to the council, “and as an advocate and connector for poetry throughout our neighborhoods.” The position is unpaid. The commission voted unanimously to nominate Knowles.

Knowles has published a book of poems about his Norwich upbringing, coached a Hartford-area slam poetry team, and taught a creative writing program at the Hartford Boys and Girls Club, according to a letter he submitted to the cultural commission.

In an interview, Knowles said he intends to stoke interest in poetry by visiting Hartford schools and the public library system. Spoken-word poetry is seeing a “resurgence,” he said, one he expects will segue into interest in written verse, “and my role is to be the bridge between the two.”

While intrigued by the intersection hip hop strikes between poetry and music, young people tend to dismiss written verse, saying, “it’s boring, it’s Shakespearean, it’s intimidating,” Knowles admits. He hopes to do away with its archaic reputation by stressing that poetry can set the tenor of the day — its anxieties, joys and sadness — into words, rhymed words.

“It’s the arts that record — through painting, through sculpture, through music, through dance — the social ills and justices and errors of the time,” he said.

Jim Finnegan, president of the Friends and Enemies of Wallace Stevens and former poet laureate of West Hartford, said Hartford’s appointment of a poet laureate was timely, given “a pent-up demand for people to speak their mind, given what’s going on nationally.”

“There’s an argument for a distinction between the aesthetic and the political,” he added, “but if you find a venue, people will come forward and express what they’re thinking.”

It was in Hartford that Stevens, a sedate insurance executive by day, wrote the lush, nearly inscrutable verse that won him a Pulitzer in 1955, much of it composed, as legend goes, along the two-mile walk from his West End home to the Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company.

Today, 13 knee-high stones mark his walk to work, each inscribed with a verse of Stevens’ poem “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.” His home, at 118 Westerly Terrace, was purchased in 2014 for $430,000 by a Jackson Labs researcher and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center doctor. Admirers of Stevens had briefly pushed for his home to be converted into a museum, but the funding never materialized.

“At the very beginning of time,” Finnegan said, “language came to the human race and it was our first art form. You don’t need a lot of materials, you don’t need a lot of resources, to make poetry happen.”

— By Matthew Ormseth, Hartford Courant staff writer

The original article can be found here: For first-ever poet laureate, Hartford taps resident and Norwich Community College professor

English Studies, A.A. – CSCU Pathway Transfer Degree

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English Studies, A.A. – CSCU Pathway Transfer Degree

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Please note that as of July 1, 2023, all program information should be accessed through the CT State Community College Catalog. Specific program information on this page may no longer be accurate beyond this date.

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This program is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in the area of English Studies. Upon completion of this Transfer Ticket English Studies degree program, you will be able to transfer seamlessly to colleges within the Connecticut College State University system, being guaranteed full junior status in your pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline, without losing any credits or being required to take extra credits upon transfer.

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With this degree you will be able to transfer, apply to competitive admissions majors, and complete your BA/BS degree in the same time and with the same course requirements as students who start at a CSU or COSC.

[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#cb1d5c” size=”30″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google”]Career Options[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text]Creative Writer
Reporter
Researcher
Literary Agent[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#cb1d5c” size=”30″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google”]Easy Transfer Options[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1634047182892{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

These degrees guarantee full junior status, no loss of credits, and no need to take extra credits.

Central Connecticut State University – English, B.A.
Eastern Connecticut State University – English, B.A.
Southern Connecticut State University – English, B.A.
Western Connecticut State University – English/Literature, B.A.
Charter Oak College (Online) – English, B.A.

[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#cb1d5c” size=”30″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google”]Related Degrees & Certificates[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1550864453684{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Because you are interested in the English Studies, A.A. – CSCU Pathway Transfer Degree, you might want to look at these programs, too.

Communication Studies, A.A. – CSCU Pathway Transfer Degree
Liberal Arts and Sciences, A.A.
Pathway to Teaching Careers, A.A.

Library Technology Certificate[/vc_column_text][/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Courses” tab_id=”1469358364-2-15″][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1536113691686{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]For detailed course information, go to English Studies, A.A. Degree Requirements.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Faculty” tab_id=”1470246169784-2-9″][vc_column_text]

See below for a list of all full-time Department Faculty. Please note that not all listed faculty may teach courses related to this specific degree or certificate program.

Kevin Amenta

B.A., Hofstra University; M.S., Quinnipiac UniversityEnglish and Communication Department Professor of Graphic Design and Communication

Office: C136
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9402 KAmenta@threerivers.edu

María Celeste Arrieta, J.D.

B.A., J.D., University of Morón, Buenos Aires, Argentina; M.A., University of ConnecticutEnglish and Communication Department Professor of Foreign Language

Office: C112
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9404 MArrieta@threerivers.edu

Todd Barry, Ph.D.

B.A., Princeton University; J.D., University of Connecticut; Ph.D., University of ConnecticutEnglish and Communication Department Professor of English

Office: C272
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9406 TBarry@threerivers.edu

Tia D’Alessandro

B.A., Rhode Island College; M.A., University of HartfordEnglish and Communication Instructor of English and Communication

Office: C-220
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9461 tdalessandro@threerivers.edu

Victoria Holdridge DiFilippo

B.S., University of New Hampshire; M.S., School for International TrainingEnglish and Communication Department Professor of English as a Second Language

Office: C236
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9466 VDiFilippo@threerivers.edu

Janet Hagen

B.S., Minnesota State University; M.A., St. Cloud State UniversityEnglish and Communication Department Professor of English and Women’s Studies

Office: C216
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9433 JHagen@threerivers.edu

Sandra Jeknavorian

B.F.A., University of Hartford; M.F.A., University of MassachusettsEnglish and Communication Department Professor of Art

Office: C152
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9439 SJeknavorian@threerivers.edu

Frederick-Douglass Knowles, II

B.A., Eastern Connecticut State University; M.A., Southern Connecticut State UniversityEnglish and Communication Department Professor of English

Office: C120
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9444 FKnowles@threerivers.edu

Jennifer Long

B.A., Northeastern University; M.Ed., Millersville UniversityEnglish and Communication Department Professor of English

Office: C252
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9450 JLong@threerivers.edu

Andrew Marvin

B.A., Sacred Heart University; M.A., Southern Connecticut State UniversityEnglish and Communication Department Professor of English

Office: C160
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9434 AMarvin@threerivers.edu

Joseph Selvaggio

B.A., Rutgers University; M.A., Southern Connecticut State UniversityEnglish and Communication Department Department Chair & Professor of English

Office: C268
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9471 JSelvaggio@threerivers.edu

Michael J Stutz

B.A., M.A., University of South CarolinaEnglish and Communication Department Professor of Communications

Office: C258
Faculty Office Hours (860) 215-9479 MStutz@threerivers.edu

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CONTACT

Susan Topping
STopping@trcc.commnet.edu
860-215-9481

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*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Communication Studies, A.A. – CSCU Pathway Transfer Degree

[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/747croppeddarkened1450x464.jpg” bg_position=”center top” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ top_shape_color=”#ffffff” bottom_shape_color=”#ffffff” el_class=”header-section” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]Communication Studies, A.A. – CSCU Pathway Transfer Degree[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469643567733{background-color: rgba(77,49,142,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469643994949{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″]

Home
Academics
Degrees & Certificates
Communication Studies, A.A. – CSCU Pathway Transfer Degree

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This program is designed to provide you with an introduction to the wide-ranging and dynamic field of communication. You will gain an understanding of communication theory and application and a proficiency in a variety of communication areas. Upon completion of this Transfer Ticket Communication Studies degree program, you will be able to transfer seamlessly to colleges within the Connecticut College State University system, being guaranteed full junior status in your pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline, without losing any credits or being required to take extra credits upon transfer.

[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#cb1d5c” size=”30″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google”]Career Options[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text]Broadcast Technician
Proofreader
Public Relations Assistant
Special Events Coordinator
Development Officer/fundraiser[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#cb1d5c” size=”30″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google”]Easy Transfer Options[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1634046888736{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

These degrees guarantee full junior status, no loss of credits, and no need to take extra credits.

Central Connecticut State University – Strategic Communications, B.A.
Eastern Connecticut State University – Communication, B.S.
Southern Connecticut State University – Communication – Advertising and Promotions, B.S.; Communication – Film, Television, and Digital Production, B.S. or Personal and Professional Communication, B.S.
Western Connecticut State University – Communication – Communication Studies, B.A.
Charter Oak College (Online) – General Studies – Communication Concentration, B.A.

[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#cb1d5c” size=”30″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google”]Related Degrees & Certificates[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1550853740706{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Because you are interested in the Communication Studies, A.A. – CSCU Pathway Transfer Degree, you might want to look at these programs, too.

General Studies, A.S.
Human Services, A.S.
Liberal Arts and Sciences, A.A.

Case Management Certificate
General Studies Certificate
Graphic and Communication Arts Certificate
Marketing Certificate[/vc_column_text][/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Courses” tab_id=”1469358364-2-15″][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554222365432{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]For detailed course information, go to Communication Studies, A.A. Degree Requirements.

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See below for a list of all full-time Department Faculty. Please note that not all listed faculty may teach courses related to this specific degree or certificate program.