Charles Malone (He/Him)
Advisor

Charlie Malone is a poet and teacher who works for the Wick Poetry Center at Kent State University coordinating creative writing programs in the community. Charlie began advising Brainchild with the 2017 issue and loves the opportunities the project creates for students to express themselves and gain real-world experience in literary publishing. After graduating from Kent State twice, he earned his MFA from Colorado State University where he was fortunate to work on the staff of the Colorado Review. Charlie was also an editor for Wolverine Farm Publishing. He is the author of two chapbooks, one full-length collection of poetry, and the occasional short story.

Isabella Kaufman (She/They)
Editor-in-Chief

Bella is a senior English major with a concentration in Professional Writing. This is her fourth year as an editor for Brainchild. Her most recent literary passion is narrative therapy, or the use of poetry as a form of healing, something she gets to explore through her work with the magazine and the Wick Poetry Center. In her free time, she can be found writing, reading, playing guitar, and overfeeding her two cats, Milo and Ozzy.

Hannah Saadey (she/her)
Creative DIRECTOR

Hannah is a Visual Communication Design major in her final year of college and second year at Brainchild. She spends most of her time designing for classes, for her job, and also for fun! Not only does Saadey love to be creative, but she also likes to relax by cooking, going on walks, and playing video games.

Nora Gast (She/they)
co-Art Editor

Nora is a Senior Studio Art major with a concentration in glassworking, and this is her second year as an art editor for Brainchild. Her main focus and biggest passion is sculptural art, although she enjoys writing poetry as well. She is also a founding member of Kent State’s Glass Club, an organization focused on helping glass students thrive in the world of fine art. When she’s not in the glass studio she can be found on a nature walk or hanging out with her two cats, Crunchy and Maja.

Carla Wagner (She/her)
Co-Art editor

Carla is a junior Studio Art major with a concentration in Painting. This is her first year working with Brainchild as an art editor, and she looks forward to sharing her passion and knowledge with others. She is an active member in her sorority, Phi Mu, where she holds the position of Banner Chair, and has held many leadership positions on campus. While her focus is on creating art, Wagner also enjoys cooking, walking in nature, journaling, and spending time with her loved ones.

Alex is a Senior at Kent State Stark, pursuing a major in English with a concentration in Professional Writing and a minor in Nonprofit Studies. This is her third semester on Brainchild’s editing team and her first semester as Managing Editor. Alex also serves on the Honors student council and is a member of Sigma Tau Delta. In her free time, Alex likes to read and write with her bearded dragon, Festus, and play entirely too much Dungeons and Dragons. 

Izzie PAwlak (She/Her)
Marketing Co-Director

Izzie Pawlak is a Marketing major with an International Business minor. This is her third year in college and her second year as the marketing coordinator for Brainchild. She enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling. One of her life goals is to hike every national park in America.

Faith Talmage (she/her)
Marketing co-director

This is Faith’s second year as a Fashion Merchandising student and first year on the Brainchild team. Despite her focus in business, she has always been passionate about creative writing and reading, and she is excited to be a part of a magazine that encourages everyone to express themselves creatively! In her free time, you can find her crocheting her temperature blanket, playing the cello, or attempting to bake a new recipe.

Alex Crooks (she/they)
Editor

Alex is a fourth-year English major and a consultant at the Writing Commons, where she enjoys helping students write. This is her first year at Brainchild as an editor. Her writing consists of poetry and fiction, and she enjoys reading books of all kinds. She is interested in editing and hopes to become an author. Outside of the literary sphere, Alex writes music and enjoys playing tabletop games with her friends.

Maddison Evans (she/her)
Editor

Maddison is a third-year zoology student and the public relations manager for Writer’s Bloc, now looking forward to her first year with Brainchild. She loves to write poetry and fantasy, including two original Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. Despite currently studying science, she aspires to be an editor in order to help other writers express themselves and share their art with the world.

MArisa Bennett (she/her)
Editor

This is Marisa’s first year with Brainchild, and she is in her second year of studying English with a concentration in Professional Writing at Kent State University’s Stark campus. She has greatly enjoyed connecting with like-minded individuals and fellow creatives alike, and she is excited to allow others the chance to express themselves in ways they didn’t think they could. She is also a member of Feminism for All Beings (FAB), the English club at Stark campus, and Sigma Tau Delta. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, writing poetry, singing, and keeping her beloved cat, Ember, out of trouble.

Virginia Doherty (she/her)
Editor

This is Virginia’s first year with Brainchild, and she is currently a sophomore studying History and Art History with minors in Marketing and  Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies.  She writes opinion pieces for KentWired, holds multiple leadership positions on campus, works in the collections at Kent’s museum, and collaborates with several historical sites in Kent and Pittsburgh.  In her spare time, Virginia enjoys sewing, embroidering, and digging into new books.

Audrey Pierson (she/her)
Designer

This is Audrey’s second year as a designer on the Brainchild team, and she could not be more excited to see this year’s process. She is in her third year of the Visual Communication Design B.F.A. program at Kent State and is the president of AIGA KSU. In her spare time, you can find her bowling at Kent Lanes, enjoying live music, and playing her guitar.

Ava Viano (she/her)
Designer

Ava is a junior Visual Communication Design B.F.A student. This is her second year as a Brainchild designer. She has always been a highly creative person and enjoys drawing, painting, and finding ways to express herself. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her cat, watching movies, and going out with friends.

Gabby Lutz (she/her)
Designer

Gabby is majoring in Visual Communication Design and is in her final year of college. This is her first year as a designer for Brainchild.

Olivia Asp (she/her)
Designer

Olivia is a sophomore Visual Communications Design major minoring in Environmental Science. This is her first year working with Brainchild on the design team. She works as a designer at the university library and is involved with H2O church. She loves painting, reading, and hiking in her free time!