Quinnipiac to host Connecticut Poetry Circuit Tour Featuring Student Taryn Riley

Press release

HAMDEN, Conn. – Feb. 24, 2026 – Quinnipiac University will host the 2025-26 Connecticut Poetry Circuit reading from 4:30-5:45 p.m. on Monday, March 2, in the Carl Hansen Student Center piazza.
The reading is part of this year’s statewide tour and will feature Quinnipiac senior English major Taryn Riley as one of five undergraduate writers selected statewide as a Connecticut Student Poet by the Connecticut Poetry Circuit panel.
“I’m so excited for the five poets to read at Quinnipiac so the student body can experience their talent,” Riley said. “I admire their brilliance and feel so honored to be awarded a spot next to them in the circuit this year.”
The event, which is free and open to the public, will include an open microphone session for students.
Each year, the Connecticut Poetry Circuit enlists a panel of distinguished poets to judge a statewide contest of college student poetry. Participating institutions may nominate one student who submits a portfolio of original work. From those submissions, five student poets are selected to read at colleges, universities and literary venues throughout Connecticut.
Riley was nominated by Quinnipiac English professor Jason Koo and submitted a portfolio of three poems. Her work explores themes of mental health, family, connection and self-discovery, reflecting her commitment to authentic and deeply personal writing.
Riley’s selection marks the sixth consecutive year — and the seventh in the past nine years — that a Quinnipiac student has been named among the winners of the Connecticut contest, continuing the university’s strong tradition of excellence in creative writing.
"We're honored to host this year's Connecticut Poetry Circuit Student Poets at Quinnipiac, including our own student Taryn Riley, whose brilliant work we've been admiring for years in the English department,” Koo said. “We're proud to have a Quinnipiac writer represent us in the circuit for the sixth consecutive year now."
Joining Riley on this year’s tour are:

• Alenka Doyle, Trinity College
• Olivia Jascot, University of Hartford
• Dan Silva, Western Connecticut State University
• Sunny Vuong, Yale University

The poets are scheduled to tour Connecticut through March 6, with additional dates possible based on availability. The Quinnipiac reading will provide an opportunity for community members, students and faculty to hear award-winning undergraduate poetry.
The Connecticut Poetry Circuit was established in 1968 to continue the work of the New England Poetry Circuit, founded in 1964 by the Academy of American Poets and Holly Stevens, daughter of acclaimed poet Wallace Stevens.