Graduate Student Spotlight | Maui Smith

“Hood providing me the opportunity to learn from talented Black writers like Donna Hemans, Celeste Doaks and Steven Leyva meant the world to me because I got to receive feedback from the audience I write my poems for. Black students in creative writing spaces don’t always get that experience."

Maui Smith, MFA in Creative Writing

Program

Creative Writing (MFA)

Department

Art & Archaeology
English & Communication Arts

Graduate School
Graduate Student

Art & Archaeology
Arts & Humanities Graduate Programs
English & Communication Arts
Graduate School
Graduate Student

02/24/2026

Maui Smith is a poet from just outside Cleveland, Ohio, pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Hood College. They serve as editor in chief of the graduate literary magazine Pergola and participated in the Prague Summer Program in Czechia as part of their studies. We spoke with Maui about their experience in the MFA program’s inaugural cohort and studying abroad.

What drew you to Hood College’s MFA program, and how did Hood support studies or facilitate your opportunity to study abroad in Prague?

I was researching MFA programs in 2022 when I saw the application that Hood submitted to the state of MD to start the low-residency creative writing MFA. At that point, I knew I wouldn’t be able to take the time off from my career to attend a traditional MFA program. I thought the low-residency model worked well for my professional needs.

The opportunity to study in Prague motivated me further since I missed my opportunity to study abroad at Pitt due to Covid-19 pandemic. Hood’s relationship with the Prague Summer Program made the tuition cost of spending three weeks in Prague equivalent to 10 days on campus. That’s an opportunity I don’t think anyone should turn down over the cost of the flight and lodging.

Could you share a bit about what the experience of studying abroad in Prague was like?

It was a delightful time. The program coordinators were kind, the other writers were talented, and Prague was absolutely beautiful. There was ample time to workshop the writing you brought and to unwind and socialize. I work full time, so it was such a privilege to focus on my craft and just be a poet for three weeks.

In what ways did the Prague experience enhance your growth as a writer, both artistically and professionally?

Artistically, I was able to workshop my poetry with very talented writers and receive feedback that was invaluable for revisions. I’ll be candid that the program is more biased to prose than poetry, but Richard and Robert made sure I had a constructive experience. I also requested one-on-one time with Richard, during which I received great advice.

There are several readings by well-established writers throughout the program, so it was an amazing networking opportunity as well. Everyone I met was gracious and offered erudite career advice. I anticipate this experience on my CV will help me get into other residency programs as well.

Is there a particular memory from your time in Hood that continues to resonate with you?

As much as I loved Prague, I don’t think anything can top the magic of that first residency on campus. You could feel the excitement from faculty and students alike as the MFA program took its proverbial first steps.

When I was applying to MFA programs, I was deeply disappointed to realize there were (and still aren’t) any MFA programs for creative writing at HBCUs. There’s always been talented Black writers who’ve made significant impacts on literary and poetic canon, so how could our own institutions not celebrate this fact? Hood providing me the opportunity to learn from talented Black writers like Donna Hemans, celeste doaks and Steven Leyva meant the world to me because I got to receive feedback from the audience I write my poems for. Black students in creative writing spaces don’t always get that experience.

What advice would you give to other Hood students considering a study abroad experience, especially those in creative fields who may be wondering how travel can shape their work?

Do it! But in all seriousness, I think art is the creative output of all our life experiences, so travelling can inform our artistic abilities in surprising ways. I spent a weekend in Amsterdam while I was abroad and saw an awesome modern art gallery with everything from laser installations to textiles. Even simple sounds you’ve never been exposed to before can be inspirational, like the streetcars whooshing over cobblestone under my apartment window every few minutes. The culmination of all those new sensory experiences inevitably comes out in your craft. I definitely recommend that artists invest in themselves and study abroad if they have the chance to.

Inspired by Maui’s story? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College's graduate programs, including the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.