Richard N. Matzen Jr. has worked as a poet and a writer since 1985 and has taught writing since 1992. He has published academic articles, chapters, and books.

Previous to starting at Woodbury in 2005, Rich taught at Northern Arizona University, American Language Institute, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh Johnstown, and Utah Valley State College.  At Woodbury, with the help of full- and part-time faculty, he founded the Writing Center, the Writing Consultant Program, and the Writing Department.

Professional highlights include that, in 2007, he co-edited the book, Reformation: The Teaching and Learning of English in Electronic Environments. In 2013, he founded the Critical Transitions Consortium, whose members were part- and full-time English professors from California State University Northridge, College of the Canyons, Glendale Community College, Pasadena City College, and Woodbury University. As principal organizer for the Consortium, he directed its three successful annual conference (2014, 2015, 2016). In 2017, he stepped down as Writing Department Chair, reduced his administrative responsibilities, and re-invigorated his teaching and research. He also published the poetry book Going in 2017. In 2019 as the lead co-editor, he published the book, Weathering the Storm: Independent Writing Programs in the Age of Fiscal Austerity (Utah State University Press). In 2020, he published an article about “transfer” as a composition theory and a book chapter about how field trips may be a basis for teaching first-year writing. He is currently completing a novel Mona Lisa and marketing his poetry book, 1986 Poems: The Inner Life of a Novel.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy - Indiana University of Pennsylvania, December 2001
Master of Arts - Northern Arizona University, December 1993
Bachelor of Science - Northern Arizona University, May 1981