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Jack Slemenda
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jack is a senior at Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Born and raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Jack has grown to love the Southeast Ohio region over the last few years. Thanks to his role in Southeast Ohio magazine, he is excited to get to know the region more through the people who call this place home. When he is not aiding in the creation of SEO, he can be found leading The New Political as their Editor-in-Chief or with his Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity brothers.
Beyond Ohio University’s campus, Jack loves to fish and hike with his friends and family across Ohio.
Kirsten Abbey
MANAGING EDITOR
Kirsten is a senior at Ohio University majoring in journalism and minoring in communication studies. Hailing from Springfield, Ohio, her experience living in Athens for the last four years has been a lesson in Appalachian culture, and she looks forward to learning and sharing the altruistic and resilient communities of the region in Southeast Ohio magazine. Kirsten also dedicates her time to writing for Backdrop Magazine and interning for Great Lakes Publishing.
When she’s not working on Southeast Ohio, Kirsten can be found showing families around campus as a tour guide, reading or pestering the night shift worker at O’Betty’s for a hotdog.
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Brianna Tassiello
COPY CHIEF
Alex Michalec
DIGITAL DIRECTOR
Alex is a senior at Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism with dual certificates in social media and podcasting. An Ohio native his whole life, he has spent the last 4 years experiencing the beauty within the Southeast Ohio region. When Alex isn’t working for SEO, he is probably in the newsroom at WOUB Public Media where he has served as the digital director for Gridiron Glory and executive producer of SportsBeat. He has also worked for The Sporting News, the Columbus Clippers, and the Academic Achievement Center.
In his free time he enjoys running, skiing, playing sports like basketball, tennis, and soccer and can be found playing euchre with his friends.
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Madalyn Blair
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Madalyn is a senior journalism student and also pursuing a social media certificate, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. Throughout her four years at OU, she has worked for The Post. Working her way up from news reporter to news editor to now managing editor of the publication, she has made it her goal to immerse herself culturally and professionally in the treasures of Southeast Ohio. Madalyn is excited to wrap up her time at OU with Southeast Ohio magazine fully encapsulating all things in the region and displaying that through different storytelling aspects.
Besides working on the magazine, she also is the president of the women’s club soccer team, a writing tutor and attempting to try every local Athens restaurant.
Connor Chomicki
DEPARTMENT EDITOR
Connor Chomicki is a graduating senior studying journalism with a concentration in finance at Ohio University. Originally from Northern Virginia, he is excited to learn more about the beautiful region of Southeast Ohio.
Outside of journalistic pursuits, Connor spends his time playing music with his friends and enjoying what little time left he has in college.
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Paige Fisher
TALKING POINTS EDITOR
Paige is a senior journalism major in Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism with a minor in political science. She is originally from Somerset in Perry County so Southeastern Ohio means a lot to her, and she is so excited to tell the stories of the people and communities within the region.
When Paige is not working for SEO she contributes to The Post’s news section, reading or spending time with friends.
Kendall Wright
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD EDITOR
Kendall is a senior studying journalism news and information, political science and law. While she plans on attending law school in 2026, she has spent her time at Ohio University immersing herself in the journalism community, eager to expand her knowledge. From time at The Post as a news writer and at The Walter as the writer and editor, Kendall is excited to dive into the culture of Southeast Ohio.
Outside of Southeast Ohio magazine, Kendall enjoys working out, spending time with her friends and thinking about her cats.
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Olivia Rohling
BEHIND THE BITE EDITOR
Olivia Rohling is a senior studying journalism on the news and information track at Ohio University who will be graduating in May 2025. Olivia is a proud Cincinnatian who loves Joe Burrow and Skyline Chili.
Outside of school Olivia loves drinking coffee, hanging out with her friends, and hitting the post-grad job search.
Jasper Greuel
WEB EDITOR
Jasper is a senior at Ohio University, majoring in journalism on the news and information track with a minor in film. Coming from northeast Ohio, he appreciated the opportunity to write about an area of the state that he hasn’t covered before.
When he is not covering basketball games for the Athens Messenger, Jasper likes to write sports articles for The Post and call hockey games for the Division II Men’s Hockey Team. Writing has been a passion of Jasper’s since high school and he loves the opportunities that Ohio University gives him as a journalism student.
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Ashley Pomplas
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Ashley is a senior at Ohio University, majoring in journalism on the news and information track, and minoring in sports management. Being originally from Fairport Harbor, Ohio, she’s excited to step out of her home zone and cover stories in the Southeast Ohio region. When she isn’t working for Southeast Ohio magazine, Ashley enjoys being a part of the Marching 110, where she serves as a music section leader. Ashley is also a Sports Editor Intern at the Athens Messenger, a Field Communications Intern at STERIS Corporation, writes for The Post and works as a reporter for WOUB’s Hardwood Heroes.
Outside of work, Ashley enjoys being surrounded by her friends and grabbing a cup of coffee from Court Street Coffee.
Raphaëlle Anglade
STAFF WRITER
Raphaëlle is a senior majoring in journalism news and information with a social media certificate. She is from Toulouse, France and is on the Women’s Swimming and Diving team at Ohio University. Raphaëlle is excited to learn more about Southeast Ohio counties and share stories about them.
When she is not working for SEO, Raphaëlle is interning for Trill Mag and working as multimedia journalist with The Post.
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Sean Eifert
STAFF WRITER
Sean Eifert is a senior at Ohio University studying journalism. From Lexington, Kentucky, Sean has fallen in love with Southeast Ohio since moving to the region for school. He is intrigued by the resilience and creativity that exudes throughout it. Sean also writes for De Sales Journal at Ohio University, where he serves as assistant editor. He has worked internships across the country and is excited to return to writing about the region he has called home for the past 4 years.
When he’s not writing, he plays the guitar or watches movies.
McKenna Christy
STAFF WRITER
McKenna is a senior majoring in journalism. She is originally from Powell, Ohio, and has worked for various publications such as Backdrop Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, The Post and Matter News. McKenna also serves as president of the Ohio University Society of Professional Journalists.
When she’s isn’t working at Southeast Ohio, you can find her crocheting or spending time with friends.
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Kayla Eshbaugh
PHOTO EDITOR
Kayla is a senior at Ohio University majoring in both criminology and journalism. Originally from Houston, Texas, she is excited to explore all that the Southeast Ohio region has to offer.
When she is not working for Southeast Ohio magazine, you can find Kayla working at the Campus Cafes or hanging out with her friends. She is also involved in on-campus organizations such as the Schey Sales Centre and Kappa Alpha Zeta.
Sydney Lehmann
STAFF WRITER
Sydney is a senior majoring in journalism with a marketing minor and a social media certificate from Columbus, Ohio. As a writer for Southeast Ohio magazine, she is excited to share stories from the community.
Outside of the magazine, Sydney is an active member of her sorority, Delta Zeta, and the Public Relations Student Society of America, PRSSA. In her free time, she loves to read and hang out with friends.
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Shiloh Antonuccio
STAFF WRITER
Shiloh is in her final semester and to plans to graduate in the spring with a Bachelor’s of Science from the Carr Van Anda journalism program. She is from Athens, Ohio, and is quite familiar with Appalachian Ohio. She has a deep affinity for the history and places associated with this special area of the state.
In her spare time she can be found bird watching, learning, playing word games, writing and cooking.
Taylor Henninger
STAFF WRITER
Taylor is a senior at Ohio University studying journalism with a certificate in environmental studies. Despite growing up in the Cincinnati area, she has fostered a deep connection with Southeast Ohio after getting to know the region and its residents. Taylor is eager to expand her knowledge of the region and her storytelling skills.
When Taylor is not working with Southeast Ohio magazine, she enjoys freelancing environmental stories for the Athens Independent or taking a stroll on the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway.
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Kaylin Pickett
STAFF WRITER
Kaylin is a senior at majoring in journalism with a minor in psychology. Originally from Toledo, Ohio she is excited to learn more about Southeast Ohio and explore the untold stories in the area.
Kaylin loves to share people’s stories whether they have opened a new business or published their next book. When Kaylin is not working for Southeast Ohio magazine, she writes for her hometown newspaper, Toledo City Paper, and The Post. She spends most of her free time reading or painting.
Mia Walsh
STAFF WRITER
Mia Walsh is a senior studying journalism news and information, with a double major in women, gender and sexuality studies at Ohio University. From the Akron-area, Mia has spent the last four years in the Southeast Ohio region and loves the people and scenery.
When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, playing with her cat, and serving students through her role of a senior staff member at the university’s Pride Center.
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Dr. Elizabeth Hendrickson
FACULTY ADVISOR
As faculty adviser, she brings an understanding of media dynamics and technology and an unfailing optimism and curiosity about the continued evolution of journalism. She hopes to impart both humility and pride. Her favorite colors are periwinkle and mustard yellow.