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Ana Leng, who represented Central Virginia Community College in the 2024 state poet laureate competition, was chosen as the inaugural Poet Laureate for Virginia's Community Colleges.
Leng, an international student from Cambodia, was chosen as the inaugural poet laureate after a state competition attended by 18 of the 20 poet laureates chosen at Virginia’s community colleges. The poet laureate event was held at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville.
To be chosen as a poet laureate at the college level, applicants had to submit three original poems, one of which was related to the overall theme, “I Belong.” Each college found its own judges to select a poet laureate and, at some colleges, second- and third-place poetry winners, as well as a visual art luminary. The poet laureate winner from each of the participating colleges advanced to a state competition. More than 300 students entered poetry or visual arts competitions across VCCS.
An exhibit featuring many of the visual art pieces was assembled by Fenella Belle, an art professor and competition coordinator at Piedmont Virginia.
Born and raised in the city of Phnom Penh, Leng said she has always had a passion for the creative arts and occasionally takes inspiration from her home and experiences growing up. In her spare time, she enjoys nurturing her creative self by working on writing, art, and music projects. During Leng’s two-year term, she performed at the New Horizons conference in 2024, participated in a webinar “Lunch Break with Ana Leng,” served on a student panel at the Chancellor’s Retreat, and promoted awareness of poetry. Lastly, she served as a student speaker for CVCC’s 2025 graduation ceremony. To close off her community college experience, she performed an original poem titled “Banner of Blue” dedicated to the 2025 graduating class.
In the state poet laureate competition, a five-judge panel judged the theme-related poem before they arrived. On site, the judges interviewed each participant and evaluated each participant’s poetry performance. During their interview, participants discussed a proposed project to raise awareness of poetry.
Ana Leng performs at New Horizons in 2024
Ana Leng performs at New Horizons in 2024
Leng’s poetry awareness project was called “Write It Out!,” which used poetry as a method to navigate and express emotions. In February 2025, she sponsored a poetry writing workshop, a competition, and an open mic showcase at Central Virginia. The project took place over roughly a week, with students, faculty, and staff participating in the workshop and activities. Some students submitted poetry for the “Write It Out” competition. Students entering the competition were expected to submit two poems based on positive and negative emotions or experiences. The 10 students, who participated in the competition, were invited to perform their poems at the open mic showcase. Three winners were selected, and each participant’s work was then published in the 2025 edition of Polis. CVCC English professors and Polis Board members served as judges.
In addition to hosting the “Write It Out” event and competition, Leng also served as a board member for “Polis,” Central Virginia Community College’s Journal of Literary Works and Art. In her role, she helped promote the journal and organize literary events to bring CVCC students together and spotlight their talents, while also occasionally performing her own poetry.
Leng completed an associate degree in May 2025 at Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg.
She transferred to Washington and Lee University, where she is pursuing a double major in neuroscience and cognitive and behavioral science. With a passion for mental health, Leng hopes to pursue a career in research or clinical work, where she can help people overcome emotional and psychological challenges to improve their quality of life.
The next poet laureate will be selected in March 2026 at an event held at Virginia Western Community College.
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