Christopher Merrill, longtime director of the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program (IWP), is marking 25 years as director and has announced he will step down at the end of the year. Since 2000, Merrill has been the architect of IWP’s modern era—expanding its global reach, stewarding the program through transformational partnerships, and championing literary exchange in Iowa City and around the world. 

“I’m very proud of the role IWP has played in rebuilding international relationships following 9/11, using creative writing to bring people together and to give them a voice,” says Merrill. “The Iowa Idea, widely replicated by programs across the United States, is central to our mission.” 

During his tenure, Merrill conducted cultural diplomacy missions in more than 50 countries, led the charge to secure Iowa City’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature, and was appointed by President Barack Obama to the National Council on the Humanities in 2012. He also served on the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO from 2011–2018. His honors include investiture as a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial and Ingram Merrill Foundations, and the 2025 Ottaway Award for the Promotion of International Literature from Words Without Borders. 

“Under Chris’ leadership, the IWP became an even more vital hub for writers across continents—hosting hundreds of distinguished authors and supporting collaborations that have shaped contemporary literature,” says Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost. “IWP is an integral part of the university’s identity as well as Iowa City’s, thanks in part to Chris.” 

Merrill will return to faculty in the Department of English in 2026.

In February 2025, the U.S. Department of State terminated a 58-year partnership with IWP ending decades of federal support from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Since then, Merrill has sought to replace the $1 million in federal grants with philanthropic support and reduced the size of the fall cohort of international writers. But Merrill says his decision to step back came before the recent challenges.

“When I was offered the position, I thought I might stay 20 years. We ended up raising our family here and while it has been wonderful, 25 years of frequent travel and hosting had made me ready for a slower pace,” says Merrill, an award-winning poet, essayist, translator, and editor. “It’s time for someone with new ideas, energy, and enthusiasm to move IWP forward.” 

Cate Dicharry, former executive associate director of operations for IWP, will become the program’s next director in January. Merrill says her history with the organization will allow her to “take up the reins with no pause.” 

“It is impossible to overstate how enormous an honor it will be to serve as director of the International Writing Program, where I first worked almost a decade ago,” says Dicharry, currently department administrator for the Department of Cinematic Arts. “Christopher Merrill has been such a remarkable, devoted steward and I am so grateful for his trust and support, and that of the Graduate College and the Office of the Provost.”

Dicharry says while the loss of federal funding last February created serious challenges, the IWP remains strong. “The process of rebuilding and reinvention promises an exciting future for this beloved organization—I am so proud to be part of that.” 

Dicharry began her career at Iowa in 2007 in the School of Art, Art History and Design. She later went on to work as youth programs coordinator for IWP and in 2019 became director of the Writing and Humanities Program in the Carver College of Medicine, serving also as managing editor of The Examined Life Journal and director of The Examined Life Conference. She received an MFA in creative writing from the University of California, Riverside in 2014.