Cortney McLeod studied at the University of Florida, where she earned her MFA in poetry and PhD in English literature. Recently, she also earned an MEd in clinical mental health counseling from Auburn University. She currently teaches about women and Literature at Tuskegee University. McLeod has coauthored articles about pedagogical best practices, especially with technology. Her most recent work explores the intersections of race, gender, and trauma within literature and film. She has served as a keynote speaker on the topic of “building community within the classroom.” Finally, her poetry has appeared in places such as the Eyedrum Periodically Anthology 2.