Name: Mackenzi Matthews

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Staff Title: Staff Writer

Major/Minor: Political Science & Public Policy / Global Studies

Hometown: Springfield, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I enjoy writing but the topics in my class can be restrictive. The UIS Journal seems like a great outlet to let me write about topics I’m interested in.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I honestly don’t know but I plan to go to grad school so I have another two years to figure it out.

What motivates you to work hard?

My mom and grandpa motivate me to work hard. Their support is the reason I will be graduating in May with two degrees.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

A row house in Washington, D.C.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy going out with my friends or watching a ridiculous amount of Netflix.

What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

I listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving without shame.

Name: Christine Hatfield

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Staff Title: Staff Writer

Major/Minor: Public Affairs Reporting (M.A.)

Hometown: Des Plaines, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I think it’s important for all of us to have a good idea of what’s happening at the local level, and I want to help make that possible!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Job market willing, I’d like to be a reporter for a local NPR station somewhere. Nothing against the world of newspapers, of course! Public radio’s just always been something of a home for me in the world of journalism.

What motivates you to work hard?

Knowing that what I do matters and that what we do can make a better world possible.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I’ve always wanted to live in London. I spent a few weeks there a few years ago and I would love nothing more than to go back.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I do like to read from time to time! Other than that, I spend a lot of my time talking about politics, with some time to myself watching some good TV shows and playing some good games on the side.

What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

I used to be in a vocal jazz group. It’s been a long time since I was in any sort of choir, but I really do miss the experience.

Name: Brooks Crawford

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Staff Title: Staff Writer

Major/Minor: Communications / Political Science

Hometown: Chatham, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I do some freelance writing in my spare time but don’t receive the feedback I need in order to improve. I’m here to learn and use constructive criticism to better myself as a writer to be more successful in the future.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

My dream would be to write for a major music outlet such as Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, etc. But if I felt as if that wouldn’t work out, I’d be interested in doing PR work for the state or federal government.

What motivates you to work hard?

Definitely my parents, who’ve both come from low income backgrounds but have worked tirelessly to get to where they are today. They’ve provided me with a great childhood and support system that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be ?

I don’t really have a specific location in mind but I’d like to live in a bigger city – at least for a while. I tend to be a very social person, and I think I would fit in well with that culture.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Music. I am personally tone-deaf and can’t play an instrument to save my life, but I just love the stories and aspects about music you may miss if you’re not careful. I am an avid record collector and have started a page where I write about what I’ve been listening to. I have also started doing interviews with some underappreciated artists and, while I’m still getting better, I’m thrilled and thankful for the chance these musicians have given me. You can check out my page @thaluvforvinyl on Instagram.

What is something interested that most people don’t know about you?

I’ve just recently turned 21, but I have been able to hold supervisor positions at two different jobs.

Name: Amanda Jones

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Staff Title: Staff Photographer

Major / Minor: Communications

Hometown: Springfield, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I joined the UIS Journal as a Staff Photographer because I love to take photos, and I want to develop my skills in photography through photojournalism. Staff Photographer was my on-campus dream job last year, and now I’m living the dream!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I see myself graduated from college and working a job in the Communication field. I see myself beginning to make plans to start my own business of some sort in order to fulfill my ultimate career goal.

What motivates you to work hard?

I am most motivated when I know that my work has a positive impact on someone’s life, whether that impact is big or small.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I would love to live in a National Park in Canada near a lake and the mountains. The view of the mountains and water when waking up every morning is a dream of mine.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I do a lot of different things, including skateboarding, hiking, hammocking, arts and crafts and playing Modern Warfare on Xbox as well as taking photos of course!

What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that I graduated valedictorian of my high school in a class of only 18 students. I don’t always tell people this because I don’t want people to think I’m smarter than I am.

Name: Regina Ivy

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Staff Title: Staff Writer

Major/Minor: Elementary Education & English / NA

Hometown: Springfield, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I enjoyed being a part of student papers so much at my past schools, I just wanted to continue the experience!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I hope to be settled into a good, lasting career working hard to make a difference in my community.

What motivates you to work hard?

Knowing that other people are counting on me to do my best, and knowing that what I’m doing is making a difference in someone else’s life.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be ?

I would live in a studio apartment in New York.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I am either reading or practicing my instruments with any spare time I have.

What is something interested that most people don’t know about you?

It’s not terribly interesting, but I love collecting journals, and I’ve been filling up a series of journals since I was in 3rd grade.