Reflecting on My English -Lit Journey at William Paterson University

Before NYU, there was William Paterson University—the place where it all started.

I pursued my undergraduate degree in English Literature at WPU, and it was here that I began to understand the transformative power of stories not just on the page, but in shaping the world around us. From analyzing Victorian novels to discussing postcolonial theory, I discovered how literature reflects and challenges societal norms around class, gender, race, and identity.

My time at WPU also taught me that the stories we wear—our clothes, our styles, our choices—are just as rich in meaning as the texts we read. That realization became the foundation for my work at the intersection of fashion history and literature, and ultimately inspired me to start Literature Meets Fashion.

Whether I was buried in Austen or diving into Toni Morrison, every course helped me ask deeper questions about representation, narrative, and power. I’m endlessly grateful to my professors and peers for nurturing a curious, critical, and creative mindset in me.

William Paterson didn’t just teach me how to read. It taught me how to see!