Rate My Professor Preston Allen

Preston L. Allen serves as an associate professor of English and creative writing within the Arts and Culture faculty at Miami Dade College's North Campus, where he has taught English composition and creative writing for more than three decades. He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Florida in 1987 and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Florida International University in 1994. Allen's teaching experience also extends to creative writing instruction at Florida International University. As the creator and host of Accents: A Poetry Jam at Miami Dade College, he showcases spoken word performances by students inspired by poetic masterpieces, fostering a vibrant literary community on campus.

Allen is the author of eight works of fiction, including the novels All or Nothing, Jesus Boy (2010), Every Boy Should Have a Man, and I Disappeared Them, as well as the award-winning short story collection Churchboys and Other Sinners. His short stories have been anthologized in Brown Sugar, Miami Noir, and Las Vegas Noir, with his books reviewed in the Chicago Tribune, Miami New Times, and The New York Times. Allen's writing frequently addresses socially relevant themes such as racism, sexism, religion, and faith. His accomplishments include a State of Florida Individual Artist Fellowship, a finalist position for the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award in 2014 for Every Boy Should Have a Man, the Sonia H. Stone Award, and a finalist spot for the Royal Palm Literary Award. In 2011, following a stroke that impacted his mobility and short-term memory, Allen demonstrated resilience by returning to teaching within months. Born in Roatan, Honduras, and raised in Miami, he enjoys a notable following in African-American literature circles.