In this flagship series, we’re highlighting graduating University of Iowa students who have woven writing into their academic journeys across disciplines. Through these interviews, these exceptional students show how pairing writing with any major strengthens thinking, communication, and impact. At Iowa, our commitment to writing across the disciplines sets us apart, ensuring students in every field can develop this essential skill and carry it into whatever comes next! 

Today we are featuring Stephani Rodríguez, a Spanish and Portuguese student graduating with a MFA from the Spanish Creative Writing Program. Stephani Rodríguez (Táriba, Venezuela) is a poet and translator. She is the author of El relieve del tiempo (El Taller Blanco, 2021) and will graduate from the MFA in Spanish Creative Writing at the University of Iowa in Spring 2026.

In a few short sentences, tell us how writing impacted your time here at the University of Iowa?
I devoted my time at the University of Iowa to writing and to developing long-term projects. The space and time I found here allowed me to fully immerse myself in my work. Access to the library fostered a deep dialogue with texts that shaped my writing, while the university environment also opened the possibility of engaging with other practices, including visual work.

What was one of your favorite classes or activities related to writing?
Poetry workshops and a nonfiction course were central to my experience. They gave me the space to think more deeply about the book I wanted to write and to begin shaping it, while also pushing me to engage with ways of thinking that felt new to me. Poetry, however, remains the closest to my work.

What advice would you give to incoming students about writing at Iowa?
Use your time here intentionally. Dedicate yourself to your writing, and create the city you need to develop your projects. Stay open to new ways of thinking and working, and take full advantage of the library.

What are your plans for post-graduation? Any projects, continued studies, or exciting work news we can share??
After graduation, I will begin a PhD at the University of California, Los Angeles. Alongside this, I plan to continue developing my writing and visual arts projects, especially expanding the work I began during my MFA, while remaining open to literary and interdisciplinary practices.
  

Find Stephani online!

Instagram: @stephanirodriguez__