Meet the Editors

Jiwoo Kim is a sophomore from upstate New York majoring in Psychology on the pre-med track. He enjoys drawing and painting, earning national recognition from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. He is particularly interested in the intersection of psychiatric treatment and the community that the arts foster, and he is excited to see everyone’s art and creative expression! In his free time, Jiwoo likes to draw, read manga, and arrange a cappella pieces.

Adelina Babbit is a Sophomore from Richmond, Virginia, majoring in Political Science on the pre-law track. She is interested in visual storytelling and exploring the intersection between politics and art. In her free time, she loves experimenting with new art mediums, spending time in nature, and listening to music. She is excited to facilitate Palaver’s social media presence and connect artists in the USC community!

Gabi Probst is a sophomore majoring in Narrative Studies. She grew up in Florida and moved to Austin, Texas at 14. There, she honed her passion for stories in every medium. Her short film placed 2nd nationally in its category in the Student Television Network Challenge, and she placed 1st in her district in UIL Literary Criticism. Gabi enjoys attending film festivals and reading Stephen King. She’s thrilled to see thought-provoking works of all kinds from the USC community and to help showcase them.

Nysa Jain is a freshman from Mumbai, India majoring in Behavioral Economics and Psychology. She is a published author of a poetry book called unrestrained and is passionate about writing and editing poetry, mental health, and sustainability. She is a Dornsife Ambassador at USC and is involved in various clubs including SC Outfitters, the American Marketing Association, The Consulting Consortium, the Economics Association, Omikron Delta Epsilon, Environmental Student Assembly, and the Student Sustainability Committee. Her hobbies include reading psychological thrillers, listening to pop, rap, and alternative music, hiking, and cycling.

Sisi Li is a junior studying English Literature as well as Public Relations. She cares deeply about practicing and exploring creative expression in various artistic forms. Besides writing and editing for Descent Magazine, her work has also appeared in dadakuku, Eunoia Review, Aster Lit, and elsewhere. When she can, Sisi likes to read, dance, make videos, and play sudoku.

Kavya Benush is a freshman pursuing a B.S. in Legal Studies with a minor in Narrative Structure. She loves music, poetry, prose, and dance. At Palaver, Kavya eagerly explores the ways in which art connects USC’s community. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, singing in her rock band, and exploring Los Angeles!

Izzy Lanstra is a freshman from Pasadena, California, majoring in Writing for Screen and Television. Her work has received national recognition in the Outstanding Screenplays TV Pilot Competition and the ScreenCraft TV Pilot Competition for her original pilot, Divine Deception. Passionate about crafting stories that blend humor and heart, she gravitates toward dramedy and satirical writing. She’s excited to join the Palaver community and looks forward to engaging with the creative voices of the Trojan community. In her free time, Izzy enjoys writing, drawing, watching sitcoms, and enjoying a refreshing boba milk tea.

Mckinley Huffman is a sophomore from Chicago studying music industry at the Thornton School of Music. She is passionate about literature, art, and music, and looks forward to highlighting student creativity through Palaver. In her spare time, she enjoys going to concerts, playing guitar, and exploring the city.

Krishna Narayanamurti is an Instructor in the Thematic Option Honors Program, and he is thrilled to be working with this talented group of TO student editors! Krishna holds a PhD in Literature and Creative Writing, a Graduate Certificate in Religious Studies, and a Master of Professional Writing from USC. He also holds a Master of Arts in English from California State University, Northridge. He is a prose editor at Indicia Literary Arts Journal and a former editor for USC’s Gold Line Press. His essays, articles, and poems have appeared in LAist, Killing the Buddha, The Brazenhead Review, and elsewhere.

Faculty Managing Editor Emeritus & Special Advisor
Amy Cannon
Associate Professor (Teaching), Thematic Option Honors Program

Special Advisor
Stephanie Mullings
Assistant Lecturer, Thematic Option Honors Program

Marisa Caddick, Founding Poetry Editor

Danielle Collins, Founding Fiction Editor

Bowen Du, Founding Poetry Editor

Matthew Fresolone, Founding Media Editor

Shirley (Yumeng) He, Founding Art Editor

Jordan Kessler, Founding Media Editor

Brooke Schneider, Founding Art Editor

Rennie Svirnovskiy, Founding Fiction Editor

Joanna Velez, Founding Digital Editor

Cameryn Baker, Former Poetry Editor

Maggie Bowen, Former Digital Editor

Pierson Carlsen, Former Media Editor

Elizabeth Dassow, Former Poetry Editor

Naya Dukkipati, Former Poetry Editor

Janette Fu, Former Prose Editor

Sophia Hammerle, Former Poetry Editor

Jonathan Hayden, Former Poetry Editor

Anya Jiménez, Former Poetry Editor

Grace Kim, Former Poetry Editor

Julia Lin, Former Art Editor

Nancy Liu, Former Digital Editor

Luisa Luo, Former Prose Editor

Maude Malone, Former Media Editor

Enrique Martinez III, Former Digital Editor

Holly McCauley, Former Prose Editor

Sabrina Niu, Former Art Editor

Nikki Ramsy, Former Fiction Editor

Murleve Roberts, Former Prose Editor

Angela Rong, Former Media Editor

Stella Schabel, Former Digital Editor

Rohan Srinivasan, Former Fiction Editor

Sara Sturek, Former Poetry Editor

Gabe Tolson, Former Art Editor

Lauren Trujillo, Former Digital Editor

Aylish Turner, Former Media Editor

William Wang, Former Media Editor

Leila Yi, Former Prose Editor

Maizy Zenger, Former Art and Media Editor