MFA Alum Robert Casper Named President and Executive Director of the Academy of American Poets

Arts
Graphic announcing Robert Casper as President and Executive Director of the Academy of American Poets. Left side shows blue background with white and black text reading “announcing Robert Casper, President & Executive Director, academy of american poets.” Right side shows a black-and-white portrait of Casper, a smiling man with short hair and a trimmed beard, wearing a dark button-down shirt, with a softly blurred indoor background.

Robert Casper (MFA ’04), a graduate of UMass Amherst’s MFA for Poets and Writers program, has been appointed President and Executive Director of the Academy of American Poets, one of the nation’s leading literary organizations. He will begin the role on January 26, 2026.

Casper brings more than 25 years of experience advancing American poetry through national literary institutions, most recently serving as head of Poetry and Literature at the Library of Congress, where he oversaw the U.S. Poet Laureate position and led initiatives that connected poets with communities across the country through public programs and digital outreach.

A founding publisher of the literary magazine jubilat and cofounder of the jubilat/Jones reading series, Casper has been recognized before for fostering collaboration among writers, publishers, and cultural organizations. His new role recognizes him as a national leader in poetry and literary collaboration and marks a significant milestone for UMass Amherst alumni in the arts.

Congratulations, Robert!

Spotlight posted in Arts