As we grace the midpoint of the Fall semester, The Journal is pleased to welcome the new members of our staff!

Andrew Adams, Staff Writer

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Major: Public Affairs Reporting

Hometown: Champaign / Chicago

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I joined The Journal because I have a passion for hyperlocal reporting and news. In an age where so much about information distribution has become decentralized and polarized around partisan lines, it’s critical that communities have a trusted voice to hold powerful people to account and distribute reliable, accurate information.

What motivates you to work hard?

I’m motivated internally by an obsession to improve my work and create stories that I can be proud of. The best feeling in the world is having a reader tell me something I produced helped them understand their community or provided them new insight into the world.

What is your dream vacation?

My dream vacation would be a working trip to Kabul. What can I say? I’m a workaholic.

What kind of music do you like?

Recently, I’ve been listening to a lot of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai, Erik Satie, Brian Eno, Joe Hisaishi, C418, Darren Korb, Sungazer, Sun Ra and the legend himself John Coltrane. I have a soft spot for musical theater and country, too. I do my best to find things to appreciate in music, rather than finding things to dislike.

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

In undergrad, I originally studied bioinformatics, the intersection of computer science and molecular biology. I switched to studying journalism for the money, obviously.

Conor Kelly, Staff Writer

Pronouns: He/him/His

Major: Master’s of Public Administration

and Completed Bachelor’s in History and Politics.

Hometown: Naperville, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I wanted to experience writing for a paper again. I enjoyed working as a staff writer before I came to Springfield and wanted to experience it again.

What motivates you to work hard?

The personal satisfaction in knowing that I’ve pushed myself to achieve and grow. If I can work a little harder and achieve more than I did the day before, I can find pride in myself.

What is your dream vacation?

I would love to be on a beach somewhere in Florida or the Caribbean, but I want to see Rome most of all.

What kind of music do you like?

I listen to rock and sometimes rap.

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

Well, most people back home know this, but the people on campus probably don’t. I worked for Elizabeth Warren and met the current President, Joe Biden.

Maria Gardner, Staff Writer

 Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Major: Public Affairs Reporting Graduate Program

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Why did you join The UIS Journal?

I joined The UIS Journal because I enjoy reporting and I love the opportunity to apply my skills to inform the community about the place we call home -UIS- for as long as I’m here.

What motivates you to work hard?

Telling stories that have an impact on students and helps folks to understand what’s happening at the university is what motivates me to work hard.

What is your dream vacation?

My dream vacation would involve time for hiking, eating, dancing, throw in a theatre show and spending time with family and friends.

What kind of music do you like?

I like all kinds of music even country, especially if you can dance to it.

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

I think puppetry is cool.