Teaching by Example
Writing & Literature faculty member Jervey Tervalon awarded grant to develop screenplay and memoir on his hometown
by Emma Shapiro
Fiction, poetry, non-fiction, screenwriting and more, there is no form of writing that Jervey Tervalon, College of Creative Studies Literature ‘80 and current CCS Writing and Literature faculty member, can’t pen. Recently, Tervalon received a UC Santa Barbara Non-Senate Faculty Professional Development Grant due to this ability to excel in a variety of genres.
This Grant provides funding for UCSB non-senate faculty members to pursue professional development in various forms and will provide Tervalon with the opportunity to continue his work on a few different projects, including a memoir and a screenplay.
“CCS faculty members motivate by their teaching, but equally by the example of their own professional commitment and activity in the arts and sciences,” said Bruce Tiffney, CCS Interim Dean. “Jervy’s dedication to the practice of his craft is an inspiration to our students.”
Although Tervalon moved from New Orleans to Los Angeles as a young boy, his time in New Orleans made a significant impact on his development as a writer. Using this grant, Tervalon has two exciting projects in the works, both highlighting the city of New Orleans. “I'm developing a screenplay set in my hometown, New Orleans, and I'm working on a memoir that will include writing about New Orleans culture,” Tervalon explained.
Since graduating from the CCS Literature program in 1980, Tervalon has continued to teach at the College and influence subsequent generations of CCS students. “CCS is a great place to teach because I have the freedom to create the environment for the best creative work to be done,” Tervalon said. He has taught several courses at the College, including fiction, novel and non-fiction workshops, The Art of Food Writing, and Vignettes, and Very Short Fiction.
Tervalon is thankful for the opportunities that have stemmed from his time and involvement at CCS. “I've published quite a few books and have had many essays, short stories, poems and plays published, and I owe it all to CCS.”
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Contact
(805) 893-2035
will.proctor@ccs.ucsb.edu