M.A. Students

	Abigail Anderson feminist theory \| queer studies \| 19^th century British literature Abigail Anderson is a GTA and Master’s student at UofL, whose research interests include feminist studies, queer studies, and 19th century British literature and poetry. She graduated from Hanover College in 2021 with her Bachelor’s in English, a minor in Spanish, and a certification in secondary education. With her background in education, Abigail is passionate about the teaching of writing and literary analysis. In her free time, she enjoys embroidery, cross stitch, and, of course, reading. After teaching preschool for a few years, Abigail is excited to be back in the world of academia. Email
	Giovanna Burkett feminist literature \| American literature \| Twentieth-Century Literature Giovanna Burkett is pursuing an M.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing. Originally from Bethesda, MD, she graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Hartwick College in upstate New York. In her free time, she enjoys reading manga, playing video games, and lounging with her tortie cat and corgi. Email
	Jennings Collins they/them American literature \| Film Studies \| Horror Genre Jennings is a graduate teaching assistant who graduated from UofL in 2022 with a B.S. in Education. They look to continue their studies and research in genre history. Jennings hopes to take their graduate studies further into a research and teaching career. In their free time, Jennings writes extensively about film. They also love concerts and dabble in creative writing. Email
	Shelby Cundiff feminist literature \| American literature \| Twentieth-Century Literature Shelby Cundiff, a Louisville native, is a M.A. student in English at the University of Louisville. She earned her B.A. in English at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Her interests include American and British women's literature during both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In her free time, she loves to read, write, color, and spend time with her friends and family. Email
	Alexandria Degner writing center studies \| gothic studies \| creative writing Allie Degner is a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Louisville, pursuing her M.A. in English. She received her B.A. in English and Writing from Olivet Nazarene University, where she also served as a teaching assistant and writing center assistant. She has worked as a research writer in the School of Medicine for the University of Michigan, as well as written for several nonprofit organizations. Her research interests include exploring themes in gothic literature, writing center studies and pedagogy, and using history to intersect with creative writing. In her free time, Allie enjoys playing her violin, cycling, and attempting to make really good food. Email
	Braydon Dungan cultural rhetoric \| queer and feminist theory \| ESL writing pedagogy Braydon Dungan is a graduate student seeking his Master's in English. Upon culmination of this program, he hopes to continue his studies to obtain his Ph.D. in order to become a university professor. Braydon is a 2018 graduate from Morehead State University where he was a part of the George M. Luckey Honors Program. Academically, Braydon is interested in a variety of topics. Aside from academics, Braydon enjoys spending time with his Goldendoodle, watching and playing soccer, and binge-watching Netflix series. Braydon is passionate about writing and believes everyone is capable and enjoying it as well as long as they are given the means and inspiration to succeed. Email
	Jolie Finley gender studies \| narrative theory \| women's studies JolieFinley is an M.A. student who is interested in contemporary fiction. She completed her B.A. in English and gender & women’s studies at Western Kentucky University. A Studio Ghibli enthusiast, she wrote her honors thesis at WKU about gender defamiliarization in the works of Hayao Miyazaki. In her free time, Jolie enjoys playing on her Nintendo Switch and beating her friends in Just Dance. Email
	Victoria Brennan Fowler she/her short stories \| poetry \| creative nonfiction Victoria is an M.A. student in English with a focus on creative writing. Her first major was engineering until she decided she had spent too much time squeezing poems into the margins of her scratch paper. She decided to follow her passion for poetry and songwriting. In May 2022, she graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.A. in English and minors in creative writing and political science. Email
	Katie Fritsche 19th Century American Literature \| feminist theory \| Kate Chopin Katie Fritsche is currently following the path God has put her on by studying a Master of Arts in English at University of Louisville. She recently finished her undergraduate degree in English, with a French minor at Jacksonville University and studied abroad in France her last semester of college. She continues to fulfill her love for traveling and hopes to someday pursue a PhD in either Canada, England, or Scotland. In her free time, you will either find Katie halfway across the world in an exotic place, reading a book, or quietly sampling the latest Boba tea. Email
	Mahde Hassan composition studies \| cultural rhetoric \| digital rhetoric Mahde Hassan is pursuing his master’s degree in English at the University of Louisville. He is from Bangladesh and he received a B.A. in English from East West University in 2021. His research interest primarily lies in composition studies, cultural rhetoric, digital rhetoric and writing program administration. He enjoys listening to music, watching movies, and watching cricket and soccer in his free time. Email
	Wendell Hixson rhetorics \| mythopoeia & glossopoeia \| writing studies Wendell Hixson is an M.A. of English student at UofL currently wanting to focus on rhetoric and composition. Having received his B.A. in English from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, a liberal arts college, he has a wide-reaching curiosity for many subjects and how they all utilize communication, especially writing, when expressing themselves to the public. He specifically finds interest in the art of persuasion as it pertains to comedy, world-building, climate science, and extremist politics. He previously served on the editorial boards of both his university's academic and creative journals. In his free time, he enjoys playing & watching hockey, practicing bass guitar, and trying to be funny. Email
	Caden Holbrook contemporary literature \| critical theory \| literary theory Caden Holbrook is a graduate teaching assistant pursuing an MA in English at the University of Louisville. He earned a BA in Philosophy and English with a track in creative writing from the University of Louisville. His research interests include contemporary literature and literary theory, critical theory, and the role of digital communities in driving new forms of literary expression. He is a Louisville native and hopes to purse a PhD following his MA. Email
	Akira Mattingly creative writing \| interpretive theory \| feminist rhetoric Akira Mattingly is a M.A. student pursing a degree in English with a concentration in creative writing. She previously earned a B.A. in English with minors in creative writing and philosophy from University of Louisville. During a brief hiatus from academia, she kickstarted her professional career drafting and editing legal documents at a law firm and then ventured into fundraising. Her current research interests focus on aesthetics, specifically interpretative theory, and the application of concepts of New Historicism in the analysis of literature and poetry. A self-proclaimed “crazy cat lady,” in her free time, she enjoys reading webcomics, playing video games, and cuddling with her four sweet cats. Email
	Barbara "Krissy" McIntosh literary tropes \| genre conventions \| creative writing Krissy McIntosh is working toward a M.A. in English at UofL. She graduated from UofL in 2022 with a B.A. in English, minoring in Creative Writing. During her undergraduate career She was able to spend some time acting as a student editor for Miracle Monocle. She intends to focus her graduate studies on literary composition and creative writing genres. Email
	Andrew Messer prose fiction \| 20th-century Fantasy \| contemporary Fiction Andrew Messer is pursuing his master's degree in English with a focus in Creative Writing. He received his B.A. in English from UofL in 2022. His research interests lie in the form and thematic relevance of modern fiction, primarily in the realm of science fiction and fantasy. He is also interested in writing prose fiction in the fantasy genre; as well as writing more grounded creative non-fiction essays and hybrid stories drawn from life. In his free time, Andrew enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends. He is an avid cinephile and lover of horror movies. Finally, he enjoys spending time reading and listening to music with his wife. Email
	John Morgan creative writing \| historical fiction John Morgan is a non-traditional student. John is married to his wife Kay, with two adult children: James, and Jennifer. He is an Army Veteran, and thanks to the G.I. Bill, a first-generation college graduate with an accounting degree from Bellarmine, and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. He is a CPA, and as of January of 2022, a retired Humana executive. John is looking forward to the MA English program, and devoting more time to reading, writing, and traveling during school breaks. Email
	Jameson Reid creative Writing \| digital rhetoric \| writing pedagogy Jameson Reid is an M.A. student in English. He graduated with a B.A. in Media Study, a minor in Computer Science and a certificate in Creative Writing from the University at Buffalo. He sees this program at the UofL as an opportunity to explore whether he will pursue an MFA in Creative Writing or a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition in the future. In his free time, he enjoys creating digital art, getting involved in creative writing communities, and watching basketball. Email
	Lauren Tweedell public and community writing \| creative non-fiction \| composition studies Lauren Tweedell is an M.A. student in Rhetoric and Composition at the University of Louisville. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and is originally from Quincy, Illinois. Lauren is passionate about writing with marginalized communities and the role that storytelling and creative non-fiction can play in self-discovery and crafting one’s identity. In her free time Lauren enjoys baking, being outdoors, serving at her church and spending time with friends and family. Email
	Charlie Ward feminism \| anti-imperialism \| horror Charlie Ward is an English MA student with a focus in the attitudes toward women in contemporary literature, as well as class-focused analysis. They earned their BA at the University of Louisville as well, and they are enjoying the shift in content. In their free time, they enjoy horror movies and playing the Sims. Email
	Terrance Williams 20th Century American poetry \| short Stories \| creative Writing Terrance Williams comes from Northern Kentucky. With a passion for literature, he's working toward obtaining his Master's in English. He completed his B.S. in marketing and graduated from Georgetown College in 2020. Upon obtaining his M.A. he wants to use his degree to become an editor. In his free time he enjoys reading, listening to music, and going on walks. Email

	Abigail Anderson feminist theory \| queer studies \| 19^th century British literature Abigail Anderson is a GTA and Master’s student at UofL, whose research interests include feminist studies, queer studies, and 19th century British literature and poetry. She graduated from Hanover College in 2021 with her Bachelor’s in English, a minor in Spanish, and a certification in secondary education. With her background in education, Abigail is passionate about the teaching of writing and literary analysis. In her free time, she enjoys embroidery, cross stitch, and, of course, reading. After teaching preschool for a few years, Abigail is excited to be back in the world of academia. Email
	Giovanna Burkett feminist literature \| American literature \| Twentieth-Century Literature Giovanna Burkett is pursuing an M.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing. Originally from Bethesda, MD, she graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Hartwick College in upstate New York. In her free time, she enjoys reading manga, playing video games, and lounging with her tortie cat and corgi. Email
	Jennings Collins they/them American literature \| Film Studies \| Horror Genre Jennings is a graduate teaching assistant who graduated from UofL in 2022 with a B.S. in Education. They look to continue their studies and research in genre history. Jennings hopes to take their graduate studies further into a research and teaching career. In their free time, Jennings writes extensively about film. They also love concerts and dabble in creative writing. Email
	Shelby Cundiff feminist literature \| American literature \| Twentieth-Century Literature Shelby Cundiff, a Louisville native, is a M.A. student in English at the University of Louisville. She earned her B.A. in English at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Her interests include American and British women's literature during both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In her free time, she loves to read, write, color, and spend time with her friends and family. Email
	Alexandria Degner writing center studies \| gothic studies \| creative writing Allie Degner is a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Louisville, pursuing her M.A. in English. She received her B.A. in English and Writing from Olivet Nazarene University, where she also served as a teaching assistant and writing center assistant. She has worked as a research writer in the School of Medicine for the University of Michigan, as well as written for several nonprofit organizations. Her research interests include exploring themes in gothic literature, writing center studies and pedagogy, and using history to intersect with creative writing. In her free time, Allie enjoys playing her violin, cycling, and attempting to make really good food. Email
	Braydon Dungan cultural rhetoric \| queer and feminist theory \| ESL writing pedagogy Braydon Dungan is a graduate student seeking his Master's in English. Upon culmination of this program, he hopes to continue his studies to obtain his Ph.D. in order to become a university professor. Braydon is a 2018 graduate from Morehead State University where he was a part of the George M. Luckey Honors Program. Academically, Braydon is interested in a variety of topics. Aside from academics, Braydon enjoys spending time with his Goldendoodle, watching and playing soccer, and binge-watching Netflix series. Braydon is passionate about writing and believes everyone is capable and enjoying it as well as long as they are given the means and inspiration to succeed. Email
	Jolie Finley gender studies \| narrative theory \| women's studies JolieFinley is an M.A. student who is interested in contemporary fiction. She completed her B.A. in English and gender & women’s studies at Western Kentucky University. A Studio Ghibli enthusiast, she wrote her honors thesis at WKU about gender defamiliarization in the works of Hayao Miyazaki. In her free time, Jolie enjoys playing on her Nintendo Switch and beating her friends in Just Dance. Email
	Victoria Brennan Fowler she/her short stories \| poetry \| creative nonfiction Victoria is an M.A. student in English with a focus on creative writing. Her first major was engineering until she decided she had spent too much time squeezing poems into the margins of her scratch paper. She decided to follow her passion for poetry and songwriting. In May 2022, she graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.A. in English and minors in creative writing and political science. Email
	Katie Fritsche 19th Century American Literature \| feminist theory \| Kate Chopin Katie Fritsche is currently following the path God has put her on by studying a Master of Arts in English at University of Louisville. She recently finished her undergraduate degree in English, with a French minor at Jacksonville University and studied abroad in France her last semester of college. She continues to fulfill her love for traveling and hopes to someday pursue a PhD in either Canada, England, or Scotland. In her free time, you will either find Katie halfway across the world in an exotic place, reading a book, or quietly sampling the latest Boba tea. Email
	Mahde Hassan composition studies \| cultural rhetoric \| digital rhetoric Mahde Hassan is pursuing his master’s degree in English at the University of Louisville. He is from Bangladesh and he received a B.A. in English from East West University in 2021. His research interest primarily lies in composition studies, cultural rhetoric, digital rhetoric and writing program administration. He enjoys listening to music, watching movies, and watching cricket and soccer in his free time. Email
	Wendell Hixson rhetorics \| mythopoeia & glossopoeia \| writing studies Wendell Hixson is an M.A. of English student at UofL currently wanting to focus on rhetoric and composition. Having received his B.A. in English from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, a liberal arts college, he has a wide-reaching curiosity for many subjects and how they all utilize communication, especially writing, when expressing themselves to the public. He specifically finds interest in the art of persuasion as it pertains to comedy, world-building, climate science, and extremist politics. He previously served on the editorial boards of both his university's academic and creative journals. In his free time, he enjoys playing & watching hockey, practicing bass guitar, and trying to be funny. Email
	Caden Holbrook contemporary literature \| critical theory \| literary theory Caden Holbrook is a graduate teaching assistant pursuing an MA in English at the University of Louisville. He earned a BA in Philosophy and English with a track in creative writing from the University of Louisville. His research interests include contemporary literature and literary theory, critical theory, and the role of digital communities in driving new forms of literary expression. He is a Louisville native and hopes to purse a PhD following his MA. Email
	Akira Mattingly creative writing \| interpretive theory \| feminist rhetoric Akira Mattingly is a M.A. student pursing a degree in English with a concentration in creative writing. She previously earned a B.A. in English with minors in creative writing and philosophy from University of Louisville. During a brief hiatus from academia, she kickstarted her professional career drafting and editing legal documents at a law firm and then ventured into fundraising. Her current research interests focus on aesthetics, specifically interpretative theory, and the application of concepts of New Historicism in the analysis of literature and poetry. A self-proclaimed “crazy cat lady,” in her free time, she enjoys reading webcomics, playing video games, and cuddling with her four sweet cats. Email
	Barbara "Krissy" McIntosh literary tropes \| genre conventions \| creative writing Krissy McIntosh is working toward a M.A. in English at UofL. She graduated from UofL in 2022 with a B.A. in English, minoring in Creative Writing. During her undergraduate career She was able to spend some time acting as a student editor for Miracle Monocle. She intends to focus her graduate studies on literary composition and creative writing genres. Email
	Andrew Messer prose fiction \| 20th-century Fantasy \| contemporary Fiction Andrew Messer is pursuing his master's degree in English with a focus in Creative Writing. He received his B.A. in English from UofL in 2022. His research interests lie in the form and thematic relevance of modern fiction, primarily in the realm of science fiction and fantasy. He is also interested in writing prose fiction in the fantasy genre; as well as writing more grounded creative non-fiction essays and hybrid stories drawn from life. In his free time, Andrew enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends. He is an avid cinephile and lover of horror movies. Finally, he enjoys spending time reading and listening to music with his wife. Email
	John Morgan creative writing \| historical fiction John Morgan is a non-traditional student. John is married to his wife Kay, with two adult children: James, and Jennifer. He is an Army Veteran, and thanks to the G.I. Bill, a first-generation college graduate with an accounting degree from Bellarmine, and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. He is a CPA, and as of January of 2022, a retired Humana executive. John is looking forward to the MA English program, and devoting more time to reading, writing, and traveling during school breaks. Email
	Jameson Reid creative Writing \| digital rhetoric \| writing pedagogy Jameson Reid is an M.A. student in English. He graduated with a B.A. in Media Study, a minor in Computer Science and a certificate in Creative Writing from the University at Buffalo. He sees this program at the UofL as an opportunity to explore whether he will pursue an MFA in Creative Writing or a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition in the future. In his free time, he enjoys creating digital art, getting involved in creative writing communities, and watching basketball. Email
	Lauren Tweedell public and community writing \| creative non-fiction \| composition studies Lauren Tweedell is an M.A. student in Rhetoric and Composition at the University of Louisville. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and is originally from Quincy, Illinois. Lauren is passionate about writing with marginalized communities and the role that storytelling and creative non-fiction can play in self-discovery and crafting one’s identity. In her free time Lauren enjoys baking, being outdoors, serving at her church and spending time with friends and family. Email
	Charlie Ward feminism \| anti-imperialism \| horror Charlie Ward is an English MA student with a focus in the attitudes toward women in contemporary literature, as well as class-focused analysis. They earned their BA at the University of Louisville as well, and they are enjoying the shift in content. In their free time, they enjoy horror movies and playing the Sims. Email
	Terrance Williams 20th Century American poetry \| short Stories \| creative Writing Terrance Williams comes from Northern Kentucky. With a passion for literature, he's working toward obtaining his Master's in English. He completed his B.S. in marketing and graduated from Georgetown College in 2020. Upon obtaining his M.A. he wants to use his degree to become an editor. In his free time he enjoys reading, listening to music, and going on walks. Email

Department of English

Abigail Anderson

Giovanna Burkett

Jennings Collins

Shelby Cundiff

Alexandria Degner

Braydon Dungan

Jolie Finley

Victoria Brennan Fowler

Katie Fritsche

Mahde Hassan

Wendell Hixson

Caden Holbrook

Akira Mattingly

Barbara "Krissy" McIntosh

Andrew Messer

John Morgan

Jameson Reid

Lauren Tweedell

Charlie Ward

Terrance Williams