As UIS welcomes the start of a new semester, The Journal would like to introduce its staff for Fall 2021!

Jacob Friedman, Editor-in-Chief

Pronouns:  He/Him/His

Major: MA Political Science/Grad Cert Management of Non-Profit Organizations

Hometown: Baltimore, MD but currently resides in Washington, DC

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

To share my voice with the University community and help to inspire others to share theirs.

What motivates you to work hard?

I am a huge fan of the “work hard, play hard” motto.  I believe everything you commit yourself to should be of your highest quality so you can be proud of what you take part in.  Seeing the final product completed is what drives me.

What is your dream vacation?

My dream vacation would probably be traveling the Mediterranean from the south of France through to Greece, including Mykonos and Ibiza.

What kind of music do you like?

I like all kinds of music, excluding Country, it’s just not for me. But, my favorite music is what people like to refer to as Electronic Dance Music, specifically House and Breakbeats. Those are the jams!

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

I spent a decade as an EMT serving Baltimore County for a few years and also managing EMS operations for live music events.

Kaisha Johnson, Assistant Editor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Major: Business Administration

Minor: Management Information Systems

Hometown: North Chicago, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I joined The Journal because I was writing consistently during my first year at UIS and I began to find joy in it. The Journal was an excuse to continue writing outside of classes.

What motivates you to work hard?

Knowing that I can achieve any goal that I may have, as long as I can put my mind to it.

What is your dream vacation?

I would love to travel to the Netherlands, specifically Amsterdam, and sightsee.

What kind of music do you like?

I genuinely like all kinds of music. Recently, I’ve been into experimental music from the ‘70s.

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

I really enjoy film photography, as well as older film cameras.

Kehinde Adesina, Multimedia Editor

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Major: MA Communications

Hometown: Oyo, Nigeria

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I am very passionate about Digital Storytelling. The UIS Journal seems to be where I can practice and learn more about photography/cinematography and digital storytelling.

What motivates you to work hard?

Myself. I strive to be better than I was yesterday.

What is your dream vacation?

Traveling anywhere fun with my mum.

What kind of music do you like?

Music with lyrics I can relate to.

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

Playing soccer is my therapy.

Edward Tetteh, Business Manager

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Major: Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Hometown: Prampram, Ghana

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

It gives me the opportunity to utilize my strategic and managerial skills in a multicultural environment.

What motivates you to work hard?

I aspire to be a top-level manager in a firm with a global ambition, hence I believe it is imperative to work hard and improve at any position I find myself.

What is your dream vacation?

I would like to spend some time at Zanzibar Island in Tanzania

What kind of music do you like?

Classical and Contemporary Gospel music

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

I, sometimes, want to be alone to organize my thoughts even though I am a very interactive person.

Amanda Jones, Staff Photographer

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Major: Communication

Minor: Women and Gender Studies and Environmental Science

Hometown: Springfield, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

Being a photographer for The Journal was my on-campus dream job, so I pounced on the opportunity to take photos of campus events and happenings.

What motivates you to work hard?

Helping and making others happy is what drives me to work hard. I love to make others smile, and capturing that smile with a camera is even better in my eyes.

What is your dream vacation?

I would love to go on a road trip to many national parks for a vacation. Hiking, camping, taking wonderful photos and cooking over a fire are some of the activities I would take part in on this vacation.

What kind of music do you like?

I like all different kinds of music from punk and alternative to pop and some country. As long as I can jam to it, I like it.

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

Most people don’t know that I am a twin. Before anyone asks, we’re fraternal and are nothing alike in looks or in personality.

Jacob Tebbe, Staff Writer

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Major: Master’s of Political Science

Hometown: Saint Rose, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I had previous experience with my high school newspaper and this seemed interesting. Four years later, I still consider it one of my better choices.

What motivates you to work hard?

Money and the fear of failure, such is the life of the cognitariat in the age of precarity.

What is your dream vacation?

My dream vacation, if I could go to any time or any place, would be Beirut in the 1950s. As hard as it is to imagine given the recent decades of war and strife, in the 1950s and 1960s, Beirut was known as the Paris of the Middle East.

What kind of music do you like?

I’m fairly eclectic, I enjoy everything from Jimi Hendrix to Civil War Marching songs and Mozart to Olivia Rodrigo.

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

I’ve got a small passion for ancient mythologies.

Cameryn Hodges, Staff Photographer

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Major: Communication

Minor: Visual Arts

Hometown: Belleville, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal? 

I joined the UIS Journal to get experience working in a communication-related field but to also be a part of the storytelling at the UIS campus

What motivates you to work hard?

My dreams, goals and ambitions I have for the future that I have for myself are super high! I’m constantly in the mode of what can I do now that I will thank myself for in the future.

What is your dream vacation?

My dream vacation is either to go to Spain or Greece. But I’m currently thinking about studying abroad in Spain soon!

What kind of music do you like?

I enjoy all kinds of music! But I mostly listen to pop and R&B!

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

Something interesting about me is that I am a full-time content creator outside of school. I run my own YouTube channel, podcast and blog in my free time documenting myself while also producing constant for my supportive community.

Brooks Crawford, Staff Writer

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Major: Communication

Minor: Political Science

Hometown: Chatham, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I joined The Journal to get involved on campus while furthering my education in journalism.

What motivates you to work hard?

In my old age, I would like to look back at my life and be proud of what I accomplished. My prerogative is not to be rich or earn awards but to do my part in helping my family, friends and community.

What is your dream vacation?

While I would like to travel abroad, I am a huge Green Bay Packers fan and would love to watch my team win a Super Bowl in person.

What kind of music do you like?

I love everything from ‘60s rock to rap music. I believe there is something to value in all art forms.

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

Over the Summer, I got started writing a Sci-Fi novel that I hope to get published sometime in the future.

Camille Daley, Staff Writer

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Major: Psychology

Minor: Criminology & Criminal Justice

Hometown: Homewood, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I wanted to use my writing skills in a useful way. I really enjoy writing and sharing information with others, and it’s a good feeling to know others can gain something from my articles.

What motivates you to work hard?

My future is what really motivates me. I have many plans and hopes, and every day is another opportunity to get closer to them and enjoy them.

What is your dream vacation?

I would absolutely love to visit Denver again, especially during October. There’s something especially cozy about getting to dress in warm clothing and have pho noodles delivered to a 4-star hotel. That’d be enough for me.

What kind of music do you like?

Anything with a lot of good bass in it. I primarily enjoy funk, like songs by a band called ‘Reliably Bad’.

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

I’d like to start a band once I get a bass guitar 🙂