Oxford Alumni Authors

Karen Dove Barr 65Ox

Not everyone starts Oxford at age 15. But Karen Dove Barr 65Ox took the opportunity during her tenth-grade science fair. Falling in love with paleontology, she entered her science project in the State science fair, where she met Oxford professors. Impressed by her work, they offered her a full scholarship to Oxford. Even with the scholarship, Barr was tight on money, worked at Oxford’s library, and was not able to enjoy many of the luxuries that many of her peers enjoyed. She notes that her financial struggles at Oxford drove her to a career in social work, where she can not only empathize with those she’s working with but also with the characters in her books.

Throughout her time at Oxford, Barr wanted to expand her learning by adding a fourth 5-hour course each quarter. This passion, she reflects, is shown within her characters and is a trademark of Oxford students. After her two years at Oxford, Barr continued to Mercer, where she got her degree in Sociology. Then she worked for the Department of Family and Children Services before returning to education and studying in Law school. Now she has continued to practice Law for 49 years and integrates her work experience into her books.  

Barr wrote a book series based upon events on Skidaway Island, Georgia. Inspired by items Barr found on the island, the historical fiction novel follows a Gullah-Geechee mother and daughter's survival in the 1900s. The first two books, Burn Pot Island; A Marsh Hammock in its Natural State and Night’s a Shadow, Day’s a Shine, are out, and she is still working on the next one.

Barr encourages Oxford students to notice the emphasis on higher education and the desire to learn, especially when against all odds. Just like how Oxford emphasizes “values learning, and, for me, delivered on that value above any other school I attended.”

Learn more about her books here.

Kenneth Carter 87Ox 89C

For Dr. Kenneth Carter 87Ox 89C, the line between teaching and writing has always been one to be crossed and merged. It is more than putting words on a page; it is envisioning his audience, emphasizing the personal nature of conversations in his text. While teaching has always been his focus, his books allow him to teach beyond his classroom.

Dr. Kenneth Carter is a living testament to the Oxford community. Carter is still connected to many of his friends that he’s made at Oxford, and he encourages all students to look around and embrace the experience, as many of these people will become pillars of your life.

“It would never occur to me that when I was 18-year-old, I would still know these people 40 years later or even longer. And those friendships and bonds are going to last for the rest of your life.” Dr. Kenneth Carter 87Ox 89C

After graduating from Oxford, Carter attended Emory College, where he received a degree in psychology and went to study at the University of Michigan. There, Carter received his Master's and PhD in clinical psychology alongside the opportunity to work with one of the greatest minds in psychology. After graduating, Carter worked for a couple of years at the CDC before “missing the excitement and dynamic of the students at Oxford.” He decided to teach at Oxford when the opportunity arose.

It was a publisher who first reached out to Dr. Carter about co-authoring a textbook. Previously, Carter had written a student study guide to another textbook but nothing as big a project as a textbook. While nervous about this big project, Dr. Carter wrote a fantastic intro to psychology textbook that reflects his student-teacher conversations, allowing for easy communication throughout the text. His textbook is being used all around the world, including our Oxford Launch: London students!

In 2020, Carter decided to step out of his comfort zone. Not being a thrill seeker himself, he was fascinated by the psychology of those who find joy in cliff diving or Jet skiing. Carter found lots of information locked within academic journals and books but lacked a source available to the everyday person. Determined to bridge that gap, Buzz came to life. 

Buzz!: Inside the Minds of Thrill-Seekers, Daredevils, and Adrenaline Junkies explores the psychology of the adrenaline rush, dopamine, and thrill-seeking, and why that is. It compiles information from many different sources and aims to present it in an easy-to-handle way.

Carter also produced a Coursera course about the psychology of thrill-seeking, which one can find here.

After Carter’s success with his first textbook, another publisher reached out to propose another textbook about Psychological Disorders. There, he started his third book, Psychopathology: Understanding Psychological Disorders.

Currently, Carter is working on a new edition of the intro book called Living Psychology, which addresses many new technologies that have surfaced over the past couple of years. He hopes to highlight not only what the technologies can achieve but also what implications they may hold.

Most importantly, he hopes that “[students] would be proud that they're at a place that has  faculty that are dedicated to doing these kinds of things.” That passion, which transcends the classroom, is a unique quality that students can clearly see.

Learn more about his books here or here.

Julie Schwietert Collazo 97Ox 99C

After a phone call from her literary agent, Julie Schwietert Collazo began writing a book proposal—one that would soon be co-authored and lead thousands of readers to empathize intimately across the world. Collazo, a journalist and therapist, began her journey at Oxford, where she studied English and Women’s Studies, then continued to the Atlanta campus, writing her senior thesis on how art therapy could help women with different types of cancer, both clinically and psychologically. Inspired by this experience, Collazo left with a deeper sense of what she wanted to achieve: the ability to use her “writing as a tool for healing.”  

Collazo continued to New York University, earning her master's in Social Work and becoming a Registered Poetry Therapist. Listening to others’ stories, Collazo and her husband were compelled to start an organization, Immigrant Families Together Foundation, to support those seeking support and advocacy that was challenged many times due to the political climate.

For Collazo, the Oxford experience shaped how she saw people.

“Oxford was really instrumental in helping me learn how to think critically and how to see people fully as complex, multifaceted human beings. I've carried that with me in everything I do, including in writing this book.” Julie Schwietert Collazo 97Ox 99C

Coming from Oxford, Collazo was surrounded by lifelong friends, which allowed her to share her story and understand what it truly meant to be seen—this skill she carries on to see others in that same light.

She had spent her career helping others tell their stories, until one day a story found her. Julie’s literary agent caught wind of a courageous mother and encouraged Collazo to write a story about her- one that would be relevant to many Collazo aimed to help. After meeting Rosayra Pablo Cruz, they formed an impactful connection and co-authored the novel Book of Rosy, a powerful story about a parent affected by the zero-tolerance policy that separated many asylum-seeking families.

Learn more about her books here.

William Charles Conner 55Ox 62M

As the sixth child born in the North Georgia Hill country, William Charles Conner’s life started during a time of great poverty and war. In his teens, he served in the Navy, building friendships and learning life lessons that he carefully documented within his mind. Shortly after his discharge, he used his GI Bill benefits to attend Oxford College of Emory University, graduating with high honors.

Receiving a full scholarship, Connor then studied at Emory University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Emory’s Department of Psychiatry. There, he soon joined the faculty before working in a private practice as a psychotherapist.  

He poured all these memories into his memoirs, completing a trilogy by the age of 90. His stories are carried by his compassion, love, and glimpses of his cunning character intertwined with his rocky journey of faith.

The Trilogy starts with Eating Dirt, a glimpse into his early manhood serving in the Korean War on naval duty. Learning about friendships, relationships, and his identity, he begins work as a dental technician for the Naval Postgraduate School. His story continues with Boy Jumps Over Moon, which highlights his first adventures of driving, fighting, and more! He navigates what it means to be an adult and embodies the coming-of-age story. The Trilogy concludes with Out of Penumbra, describing his journey out of the darkness into the light of knowledge, which includes enrolling at Oxford College of Emory University.

Learn more about his books here.

Martin Echavarria 88Ox 92B

From working on international partnerships to creating resources for leaders, Martin Echavarria 88Ox 92B started his journey at Oxford College of Emory University. He then went on to Goizueta Business School, graduating with a degree in Political Science and Business and building a strong foundation in business. Echavarria continued his education, earning his master's in International Management at Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Echavarria found his passion in Business consulting, dedicating himself to supporting collaboration both within and outside of businesses. Equipping leaders with training and wisdom, he has gained more than 15 years of experience developing global strategic relationships.

Through this work, Echavarria helped build a partnership between Scotiabank and Digicel, enabling greater financial inclusion for Haitians by making phone-based money transfers more accessible. His work received the highly prestigious 2012 Alliance Excellence Award from the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP).

Inspired by his work, he started his own consulting company, building a strong team that coaches individuals from diverse backgrounds and expertise.  

Echavarria’s book, Enabling Collaboration: Achieving Success Through Strategic Alliances and Partnerships, provides tools to build healthy relationships for business owners and support the creation of successful alliances between organizations. The toolkit of real-world approaches, practical skills, and effective methods is essential for innovators, business leaders, and leaders in today’s day and age.

Learn more about his books here.

Donte Flanagan 04Ox 06N

What would you do if you only had a couple of years left to live? Sky dive? Travel? For Dr. Donte Flanagan 04Ox 06N, it was all of the above and more. Convinced he wouldn’t make it to 30, he took every opportunity and venture that came his way. This mindset shaped the decisions, actions, and person Flanagan is today.

At Oxford, Flanagan was approached with networking opportunities that helped him grow socially and create space for self-growth. He describes Oxford as its own village that values building community and allowed him to flourish, showcase his character, and hone the skills to lead and communicate with diverse people.

At Oxford, Flanagan was involved in SGA, Black Student Association, Dooley’s Dolls, and many other organizations that helped him hone his time-management skills by balancing school, work, and extracurricular meetings and events.

The most important takeaway from Oxford was the freedom to achieve what he wanted. “The beautiful thing for Oxford is that if you envision it, you can do it.” When he had an idea or wanted to achieve a project, opportunities and people surrounded him, supporting and pouring into him, which allowed him to figure out how to get it done.  He brought that mindset to his book, a story he needed to put out there.

After graduating from Oxford, Flanagan went to Emory Nursing School, where he now practices as a Nurse and hosts the Annual Multicultural Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Conference, which highlights people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Flanagan would like to encourage students that resiliency is just as important as reaching your goals. One’s path may not be linear, but as obstacles and opportunities present themselves, continue to shoot for your goals and learn from your failures. Within these lessons, it's important to take them and apply them to the next step. Move forward so you can start to trust yourself within your big dream.

“If you are not failing, you're not learning. And if you're not learning, you're not growing. And if you're not growing, then what are we doing it for?” Donte Flanagan 04Ox 06N

​Dream Big, his memoir, follows the process of “the good, the bad, the ugly, the bullying, the overt and direct discrimination that happened along the way. The overcoming, mentorship, the passion of what it means to be and to leave a legacy.” Centered around Flanagan’s journey, his environment, his opportunistic mindset, and academic journey from elementary school to grad school.

“All those foundational pieces you hear in the story that make me into the product and man I am on the other side.”

Learn more about his book here.

Zoe Hicks 63Ox 65C 76L 83L

​Zoe Hicks 63Ox 65C 76L 83L decided that instead of cramming information, she would write it all down for her clients. Working as a state planning attorney, she met various women who were in a predicament. Many were unexpectedly handed off financial affairs after a loss and lacked financial literacy. Hicks hoped to create a book that many could refer to, a shoulder to rely on when she wasn't available. She jotted down everything she knew and compiled it into one of her first books, The Women's Estate Planning Guide.

This all started when Zoe Hicks decided to come to Oxford for High School. For a time, Oxford also served as a high school for many juniors and seniors through a three-year program that included the first year of college.

As part of the program, Hicks developed a close bond within her small cohort. This bond was so remarkable that even professors would send someone to wake up students who missed class. Hicks recalls “a sense that the people really care” within the campus. Not much different from the Oxford we see today.

After graduation, Hicks went to the Atlanta campus, where she agreed that the Oxford students “all wished that we were back in Oxford.” Hicks continued her education with a College AB degree at Emory and taught for a couple of years before attending law school at Emory University.

“Oxford taught me responsibility and Oxford taught me to care, to care about people. Oxford taught me to be diligent in my studies.” Zoe Hicks 63Ox 65C 76L 83L

​It was during law school when Hicks started to see many lessons within the Bible come to life and influence her everyday actions– inspiring her to start her journey of “inspirational writing”. Growing up, Hicks read lots of inspirational books that encouraged and aided her through difficult times. She wanted to write for others so she could help them, too. With both motivations, Hicks began to write her Inspirational writings.

“That is one way that law school shaped my inspirational writing, not from what I learned in the classroom, but from what I learned by putting this principle into effect.”

Hicks’ book, Dream Catcher: The Power of Faith, centers on the power of belief to bring reality to what we want. She describes it as almost a quantum power that one holds and can use through prayer. She compares what both physicists and theologians have to say about this topic and how she implements it into her daily life.

Her next book, Abundant Living, is about the power of the Holy Spirit, being good stewards of what one receives, and the power of prayer. Currently, Hicks has written 7 books, though this has not stopped her from writing more books.

Learn more about her books here.

Brett A Krutzsch 00Ox 02C

Brett A Krutzsch 00Ox 02C came across video archives when he got the idea for his book. Researching the It Gets Better Project, an online organization that aims to empower, encourage, and support queer youth, Krutzsch was troubled by its message and especially the lack of support from religious communities. This led him to wonder about the different levels of care a community has shown, depending on whether the person affected was queer.

Brett graduated from Emory with a B.A. in religion and finished with his master's at NYU. There he went on to work at NYU while also writing and publishing articles about LGBTQ life in America. He then earned his Ph.D. in religion, worked as a professor before moving back to NYC, and worked at NYU as editor of The Revealer, a magazine centered on articles about religion, society, and politics, highlighting how religion shapes politics and culture in America.

“I loved the small classes and relationships I developed with professors. I loved all of the leadership opportunities. And I became close friends with people who are like family today.” Brett A Krutzsch 00Ox 02C

Dying to Be Normal: Gay Martyrs and the Transformation of American Sexual Politics evaluates prominent queer deaths in the US, analyzing how the ways they have been memorialized reveal the limits of inclusion within our culture. The book also examines the intersection of these memorializations and religion, prominently Christianity, which has shaped American culture throughout history and continues to do so today.

Krutzsch encourages students to explore history from the end of the 20th to the start of the 21st century to better understand how events shape our lives and culture today. He also hopes that students will take creative paths to see “how there are other paths we can still take so that we can make the world a queerer, better place.”

Learn more about his books here.

Breanna J. McDaniel 09Ox 11C

When Breanna J. McDaniel was young, she wanted to be a combo archaeologist/lawyer. Although she isn’t yet, her ambition hasn't changed.

After graduating from Emory, she received her master's in Children’s Literature from Simmons University and her PhD in Education at Cambridge University. Her research on “surveillance in representation of Black children as food” was longlisted for the Global Black Women’s Nonfiction Manuscript Prize in 2024.

​Since then, she’s published in myriad academic journals, an academic anthology, and her debut picture book, Hands Up!, which the Georgia Center for the Book awarded “Books All Young Georgians Should Read” in 2019.​

Since then, she has written several award-winning picture books, all with themes of empowerment and representation among children.

McDaniel also co-founded Researchers Exploring Inclusive Youth Literature (REIYL), an organization that connects scholars, educators, and families to advocate for fair representation in education and literature.

​Learn more about her books here.

Juliana Mostaghim 66Ox 68C 70G

Once described as a Da Vinci in her creativity, Juliana Mostaghim, also known as Juliana Datry Most, has been writing, singing, and dancing since age 12. Her creative spirit has led her to write musicals, manage properties, act, and write books.

In Oxford, Mostaghim took many walks along the nature trail, where she wrote books and stories. She continued these walks even when she went to study in Germany in her junior year. There, her trails felt like the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, where her inspiration sparked. She started writing fairy tales with slightly different storylines, which have since become her published books. Princess and the Sneeze, a rendition of The Princess and the Pea, or Goldie Taxis and the Three Young Bears, a remix of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Beyond writing, Mostaghim’s career path was shaped by open opportunities, many of which came through relationships she built at Emory.

After graduating, Mostaghim served as the Property manager and an actor for “Behold the Man”, a groundbreaking interracial play held in Atlanta, Georgia. Staged during a tense moment in the Civil Rights Movement, the production was known for bringing unity and peace to the community. The production was staged in an amphitheater and continues today in Ohio, being renamed the Living Word Outdoor Drama.

“This is all because I’ve been to Emory. My whole life has been shaped by Emory.” Juliana Mostaghim 66Ox 68C 70G

Besides her children's books, Mostaghim has written a memoir, Me, Myself and I Remember Decatur, describing her journey of retaining childlike wonder with her life amongst setbacks and societal norms. Highlighting amusing experiences of her first seventy-seven years, she is determined to live life to the fullest, showing others a real love and a clinging to faith.

Learn more about her books here.

Tamiko Nettles 98Ox 00C

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While some watched movies and others baked sourdough bread, Tamiko Nettles 98Ox 00C made a bet with her daughter. During the 2020 pandemic, when time seemed to be endless, Nettles wanted to encourage her daughter to finish the various stories she had started about empowered women in different cultures. With the timer set, the bet began as a race to finish their story first, but ended with nine new stories still being told today.

Drawn in by the diversity of Oxford, Tamiko Nettles found herself loving the small aspect of the university. With only two years, she believes it allows a student to “really try to explain and become who [they] were going to become.”

The faculty also stood out to Nettles, as Oxford is filled with people who believe in the students. The professors took time to “learn so many things about us and differentiated instruction so that we could be successful”. She believes that this aspect, being with those who believe in you, is essential for the youth and allows them to go on to the next level.

Nettles went on to graduate with a double major in sociology and psychology at Emory College, and became a teacher in Chicago. However, she never would have guessed she would be a writer in just a couple of years.  

Fast-forward to an Emory Black Alumni event, where Nettles bumped into Lori, who soon became her accountability partner as they built their businesses. Throughout the event, they connected not only over their memories at Emory but also their shared desire to start their own business. Relating to each other’s worries, they decided to be each other’s push to take a step in the right direction; for Nettles, that meant making a business card.

Motivated, she made a business card with four vision points Nettles wanted her to fulfill. One of them being ‘motivational moments’; the niche that writing fulfilled in 2022. Nettles wanted her stories to encourage others to “stop, be vulnerable, and open to change or processes”.

Nettles published her first book in 2022, Joyce. Joyce. There's Power in Your Voice. Centered around a fourth grader who chose to speak up after being silent for a long time, it reflects many personal experiences that Nettles had witnessed or felt in others of being in shunning spaces. The story teaches us to foster environments that welcome voices in rather than out.  

Nettles then published What Color Suits You, July?. This book is about choosing to respond rather than to react. When July is presented with a variety of colors or responses, she chooses one that changes her environment for the better.  

Uniquely, both books are connected by the theme of punctuation marks. The series contains punctuation marks in the titles, acting as a window into each character's struggles and thoughts. The books aim to create empathy for the characters and the support systems that help them reach the next level.

Although they are picture books, Nettles’ books are for all ages and reflect people who see themselves in the characters. “The biggest thing is I don't want people to limit what this book is and who it's for”

Check out more of Tamiko’s books, including her journals, here.

Reflecting on her time at Oxford, Tamiko recalls how the community she met opened her eyes to all the different walks of life that were present. “We all were experiencing things in so many different ways.” She hopes to encourage all students by telling them, “Do not silence your voice, but instead embrace the courage to share it.”

Abigail Nostrati 19Ox 21C

​During her time at Oxford, Abigail Nostrati 19Ox 21C printed and tucked her strongest poems into a binder, aiming to publish them soon after graduating from Emory.

Nostrati was heavily involved within Oxford’s community. From receiving the most audience votes in Miss Oxford’s pageant to serving as President of the Photography club, Nostrati believes that Oxford “gave me countless opportunities to grow as a leader, build community, and become more confident in my own voice.”

Studying both English and Biology, she graduated from Emory University before going to Loyola Law School as a J.D. candidate. Her passion for storytelling, advocacy, and writing flows out of her life into words that insist on being heard.

Her book, I Only Speak Catharsis, is filled with poetry Abigail wrote between the ages of 18 and 22, much of it during her time at Oxford. Blurring the lines of memoir and creative writing, Nostrati beautifully paints a picture of human identity through heartbreak, friendship, addiction, and moments we hold onto. Taking on new perspectives of the world around us, it embraces the rawness of what it means to be human.

Nostarti credits her strongest poems in the book to her Sophomore poetry class at Oxford. She recalls the professor's encouragement to explore the boundaries of writing and self-exploration within her identity.  

“Oxford taught me the importance of empathy, community, and listening to perspectives different from my own.” Abigail Nostrati 19Ox 21C

Looking back on her Oxford Experience, Nostarti encourages students to recognize the “impact a single class, professor, or experience can have” on the direction of one’s life. She remembers how her poetry workshop strengthened her writing, refined her skills, and eventually became the foundation of her book, a significant impact of a single class.

Nostarti also encourages students to see “Oxford’s soul” in her writing, whether through the physical places or the emotional experiences she creates.

Whether through her art in writing and photography or her legal communication, she hopes to reflect her commitment to using her skills to build an atmosphere of empathy.

Learn more about her book here.

Chi Chi Okezie 98Ox 00C

After graduating from Oxford College, Chi Chi Okezie 98Ox 00C studied French Cultural Studies and African Studies at Emory College. During that time, Okezie studied abroad in Paris, France, and interned at the French American Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta. She often uses these experiences of studying abroad and working with people from diverse backgrounds in professional settings, giving her an international perspective in the workplace.

Okezie took many of these valuable experiences, whether from Oxford or abroad, and compiled them into her book, SIMPLEnetworking, which offers 50 practical tips and ways of networking to build strong and valuable relationships.

Okezie additionally noted that Oxford’s principle of valuing those around oneself by showing appreciation and making others feel supported is a core Oxford principle that she takes with her.  

“Oxford definitely encouraged me to be curious and step out of my comfort zone. As well as become a lifelong learner. The book offers tips for these aspects and much more.” Chi Chi Okezie (98Ox 00C)

Reflecting, Okezie encourages students to consider the value networking and personal development bring to one’s career. She recommends that all students use their talents and skills to “connect genuinely with others.”

Learn more about her book here.