Deidra Cali

Deidra Cali joined the UCONN Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in June 2023. Deidra has a MA in English from Villanova University (Villanova, PA) and a BA in English and psychology minor from Misericordia University (Dallas, PA). Deidra’s primary literary focus was 19^th century American literature, which was central in her Master’s thesis, “Parched: Thirst in the Poetry of Emily Dickinson and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.”

In her time at Villanova, she explored a plethora of genres, authors, and topics in literature. Her piece “’One need not be a Chamber — to be Haunted —’: Trauma and Terror in Emily Dickinson’s Poetry” was published in CONCEPT, Villanova’s interdisciplinary graduate journal. She later enjoyed exploring the editorial, production side of CONCEPT while acting as a peer reviewer for the journal.

Deidra comes to the Center with extensive editing experience­. From being the lead writing tutor at Misericordia’s Writing Center, to her role as a writing tutor for Villanova’s student athletes, to simply being her friends’ go-to editor. Deidra is excited to share her love of writing, editing, and researching with UCONN UCEDD and put her skills into practice. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing, traveling to anywhere and everywhere, and listening to music and attending concerts.