2023-2024: Laura Ruby, novelist (September 2023)
2022-2023: Dr. Julian Saporiti, songwriter, historian
2021-2022: Phil Kaye, spoken-word poet, author
2020–2021: Gish Jen, author
2019–2020: Elizabeth Acevedo, author
2018–2019: Madeline Miller, author
2017–2018: Rhiannon Giddens, songwriter
2016–2017: Lee Smith, author
2015–2016: Gloria Bond Clunie ’71, playwright
2014–2015: Joy Harjo, Mvskoke poet, musician, author
2013–2014: Amber Dermont, author
2012–2013: Tracy Smith, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
2011–2012: Danzy Senna, author
2010–2011: Li-Young Lee, poet
2009–2010: Taylor Mali, poet
2008–2009: Claudia Emerson ’75, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
2007–2008: Carolyn Forché, poet
2006–2007: Tobias Wolff, author
2006–2007: Mark Mathabane, author
2005–2006: David Baker, Kenyon Review editor, poet
2005–2006: Anthony Abbott, author
2004–2005: Phillip Shabazz, poet
2004–2005: Nancy Peacock, author
2003–2004: Nikki Giovanni, poet
2003–2004: Claudia Emerson ’75, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet