By Kara Armstrong
This year’s KU Composition Conference (KUCC) will take place in the McFarland Student Union (MSU) on Monday, April 14, 2025, and will feature works centered around the theme Writing Your Way Home.
KUCC is an annual undergraduate conference that invites students to present their original papers, creative work, multimodal projects, and portfolios. Each year’s conference features a unique theme.
“One of the things I’m excited about this year is the theme itself,” said KUCC Chair Dr. Robert Fillman. “I think writing is a way for us to come to terms with the complexities of human existence. It’s finding that space where you feel comfortable, where your writing becomes like a home to you.”
Contributors are encouraged to interpret the theme broadly. Presentations may take various forms, such as a nostalgic memoir, a piece featuring a fictional world, or an art exhibition that showcases a place.
“We are really open to various interpretations of that theme,” said Fillman. “If you’re hesitant to submit because you’re not sure if your writing will fit into the theme, don’t let that be a deterrent. Oftentimes, we can find a creative way to make it fit into the theme anyway.”
KUCC is an all-day event. Panels will begin at 9 a.m. and will continue throughout the day, organized into hour-long blocks. Panels typically consist of three or four student presenters, each speaking for 10–15 minutes each. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with the panelists. A keynote panel will take place at noon, followed by a poetry reading and open mic session.
“It’s an opportunity for students to present their work in a supportive environment in front of their peers and other interested faculty,” said Fillman. “Academia thrives on collaboration, the sharing of work, and engagement with diverse ideas, and the KUCC provides students with an excellent opportunity to experience that exciting dynamic.”
Attendees are welcome but not expected to be present for the entire event. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Interested students should submit proposals through the online submission form. All submissions must be completed by March 14, 2025. Students can expect to receive their admission decision two to three weeks after their submission.
Students may contact Fillman (fillman@kutztown.edu) with any additional questions.