Passionate about literature and poetry, Ursula M. Chirico-Elkins is thrilled to have spent her career surrounded by what she loves. She started her professional journey as a library assistant at Princeton University and at the David Sarnoff Research Center, and was promoted to senior library assistant of the latter in 1983. Ms. Chirico-Elkins then became the principal assistant at Rider University from 1987 to 1989 and again from 1990 to 1993, and a librarian at the St. Francis Medical Center from 1993 to 1996. She really appreciated the opportunity to aid library patrons seeking vital information in their field of occupation.
Over the years, Ms. Chirico-Elkins decided to contribute her own work to the field. She authored “Falling Snow,” “Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam,” and “A Celebration of Poets” in 1998, and “Omnipotence” and “Unending Love” in 1999. Ms. Chirico-Elkins has also written “Universal Truth,” “Springtime,” “Great Poems of the Western World,” “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled,” and “Freedom of the Spirit.” Her most recent publication, “Where Are We Going?” was published in 2017 by WestBow Press. She wrote the book because she wanted to help guide people back to the church in order to make their lives happier and more secure.
Ms. Chirico-Elkins enhanced her professional standing by earning a diploma from the Institute of Children’s Literature, a diploma for writing for children and teenagers, and a diploma from the course, “Beyond the Basics: Creating Short Stories and Articles.” Additionally, she obtained an Associate of Science in applied science and library science from Mercer County Community College in 1982.
As a testament to her hard work and dedication, Ms. Chirico-Elkins was honored with the Poetry of the Year Award by Poetry of the Most Gifted Poets at the Institute of Advanced Poetry Studies’ Poetryfest for her piece, “On the Wings of Angels,” in 2016. She was also named an honorary board member of the American Indian Education Foundation and a distinguished member of the International Society of Poets.
In Ms. Chirico-Elkins’ spare time, she enjoys painting, literature, embroidery, photography, and classical music. She has also volunteered for the Calvary Church.
