Alberto Ríos, Arizona’s inaugural poet laureate, has been appointed to lead the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, housed at Arizona State University.

In addition to being the center’s director, Ríos will become the artistic director and hold the Virginia G. Piper Chair in Creative Writing. Ríos has taught at the university since 1982.

Ríos is the author of ten collections of poetry, including the most recent A Small Story About the Sky, three books of stories, and a memoir of growing up along the border between Mexico and Arizona. He was named a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets in 2014.

Patrick Kenney, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said of Ríos, “His poetry and literary works have positively influenced our community and have been a driving force for Arizona’s culture and heritage.”

Photo credit: Arizona State University