Category Archives: Masthead

Rachel Hall | Faculty Advisor

Rachel Hall is the author of Heirlooms (BkMk Press, 2016) which was selected by Marge Piercy for the G.S. Sharat Chandra Book Prize. Her stories and essays have been published in numerous journals and anthologies, including Crab Orchard Review, Gettysburg Review, New Letters, Guernica Daily, and LitHub. She teaches creative writing and literature at Geneseo where she holds two Chancellor’s Award for Excellence–one for teaching and one for creative work.

Allison Brown | Production Advisor

Allison Brown, Production Advisor to Gandy Dancer, is the Digital Publishing Services Manager at Milne Library. She was on the staff for her college literary magazine, so she loves helping out with Gandy Dancer. Now she works on all types of open access publications and free online textbooks.

Lili Gourley | Managing Editor

Lili Gourley is an English (creative writing) major with a focus in poetry. She originally comes from Palmyra, New York, where there’s not much to do but be creative. She has had poems published in Gandy Dancer, ANGLES, and Iris Magazine. She’s a new member of Sigma Tau Delta and aspires to work in publishing. Her most treasured possession is the ever-growing pile of books that is beginning to engulf the entirety of the bookshelf under her lizard, Winny.

Jess Marinaro | Managing Editor

Jess Marinaro (She/They) is a senior English Creative Writing and Sustainability Studies double major. She has had work published in previous editions of Gandy Dancer as well as Iris Magazine. She is a member of Sigma Tau Delta and Senior Editor for Geneseo’s chapter of Her Campus. When she is not hunched over her computer, you can find Jess with the Geneseo Outdoors Club goofing around in nature or chatting with her residents in the Erie Hall service desk.

Nikolete Michalkow | Fiction Editor

Nikolete Michalkow is a sophomore at SUNY Geneseo with a major in English and a minor in Political Science. She is from Syracuse, NY, and in her free time she loves to read, write stories, travel, and bake. Nikolete’s main goals after graduating are getting a job in traveling and reporting on the sights she sees.

Ella Pearcy | Poetry Editor

Ella Pearcy (she/they) is a senior English and creative writing major with a minor in art history. They are the managing editor for both the school newspaper, The Lamron, and SUNY Geneseo first and only queer literary magazine, Iris Magazine. Ella has a passion for poetry as well as fiction, and hopes to go into editing.

Juslannie Rosso | Creative Nonfiction Editor

Juslannie Rosso is a senior English (creative writing) major with a minor in communication. This past summer Juslannie found a new love for traveling after she had left the Americas for her first time. She has studied abroad in Prague and Vienna, and now hopes to visit a few more countries before pursuing a masters degree in higher education. Juslannie dances between poetry and creative nonfiction to capture her experiences as an Afro-Latina, first-generation college student, and tales of youth. Her work has appeared in Iris Magazine, Recess Magazine, and The Lamron Arts & Entertainment section. As she prepares to say farewell to SUNY Geneseo, you can find her working as a Student Association Technical Director, proudly serving as the President of the dance group Original Xpressions, or playing Monopoly with friends.

Samantha McGinnis | Creative Nonfiction Reader

Samantha McGinnis is a sophomore adolescent education major with a concentration in English and creative writing from Potsdam, New York. After college, she hopes to become a high school teacher that can inspire her students to enjoy reading, writing, and learning. She is the Student Association Representative for KASA, and works part time off-campus. In her free time, Samantha enjoys reading, writing, journalling, making playlists and buying K-pop albums.

Nate D’Amato | Poetry Reader

Nate D’Amato is a sophomore English (Creative Writing Track) Major with a double minor in Film and Sustainability Studies at SUNY Geneseo. Aside from writing poetry and fiction, he is The Lamron Arts & Entertainment Editor, in addition to the President of Creative Writing Club. In his free time, you can find Nate stuck in his dorm writing or watching YouTube, or venturing around campus.

Hannah Myers | Fiction Reader

Hannah Myers is a senior English major at SUNY Geneseo. She is originally from Hannibal, NY.  She is the News Editor for The Lamron. She has aspirations to continue in the field of editing and publishing post-grad. When she is not working or at school she enjoys reading and talking with her nephews.

Sara Wilkins | Production Assistant

Sara Wilkins (She/They) is a senior English major with a concentration in creative writing from Eden, NY. She is a member of Sigma Tau Delta and Sisters Making A Change on campus. In her free time, Sara loves reading fiction, writing poetry and creative nonfiction, and watching What We Do in the Shadows.

Jake Elvers | Poetry Reader

Jake Elvers is a junior English major with a concentration in creative writing. He is from Eden, New York, where he was a member of their musical productions for his entire high school career. On campus, he loves hanging out with his friends, and his fraternity brothers in Men of Action and Change. In his free time, Jake likes reading, writing, and playing video/board games.

Brian Malgieri | Fiction Reader

Brian Malgieri is a senior English creative major from Rochester New York. After receiving an associate’s degree in Cinema and Screen Studies from Monroe Community College, Brian found his passion for writing, and transferred majors and schools to hone his craft. When he’s not at home watching movies, Brian can be found collecting hiking trails and thrifting for next season’s look.

Greta Flanagan | Fiction Reader

Greta Flanagan is a junior English Creative Writing Major from Oyster Bay, New York. In the future, she is aiming to work in publishing. Her favorite authors are Anthony Doerr, N.K Jemisin, and Leigh Bardugo. When not writing, she is going on long walks and saying ‘hello’ to all the neighborhood cats.

Betsy Harris | Creative Nonfiction Reader

Betsy Harris is the Social Media Manager for SUNY Geneseo. She is originally from and currently lives in Le Roy, NY. Although primarily a creative non fiction writer, Betsy has been known to dabble in fiction.

Hannah Mower | Poetry Reader

Hannah Mower is a senior English major with a literature concentration that transferred to Geneseo in her junior year. She is part of Geneseo’s America Reads and Counts program and enjoys working with children. In her free time, she is most likely watching a film, wrangling her naughty cat, or learning to draw.

Jordyn Stinar | Creative Nonfiction Reader

Jordyn Stinar is a junior English Literature major with a minor in Business Studies. She has always enjoyed the adventures that come when reading and wishes to travel one day herself. She hopes to work in publishing and is excited to start that journey at the Gandy Dancer. In her free time she enjoys reading, concerts, and time with friends and family.

Rachel Hall | Faculty Advisor

Rachel Hall is the author of Heirlooms (BkMk Press, 2016) which was selected by Marge Piercy for the G.S. Sharat Chandra Book Prize. Her stories and essays have been published in numerous journals and anthologies, including Crab Orchard Review, Gettysburg Review, New Letters, Guernica Daily, and LitHub. She teaches creative writing and literature at Geneseo where she holds two Chancellor’s Award for Excellence–one for teaching and one for creative work.

Allison Brown | Production Advisor

Allison Brown, Production Advisor to Gandy Dancer, is the Digital Publishing Services Manager at Milne Library. She was on the staff for her college literary magazine, so she loves helping out with Gandy Dancer. Now she works on all types of open access publications and free online textbooks.

Julia Grunes | Managing Editor

Julia Grunes is a senior English (creative writing) and psychology double major from Monroe, New York. Her work  has been published in MiNT Magazine, Gandy Dancer, and Iris. Though she is predominantly a fiction writer, Julia loves to write and read work that bends genre. She is currently the poetry editor of Iris, as well as a tutor at the Writing Learning Center. When Julia isn’t writing, she can be found making music with her violin or her a cappella group, Exit 8.

Lili Gourley is a junior English (creative writing) major with a focus on poetry and fiction. An aspiring editor, she enjoys reading and writing, yet more so enjoys the growing pile of books on her desk that she’ll “definitely get to at some point.” Her poetry often reflects nature or music she finds particularly inspiring. Previously published in Gandy Dancer, she hopes to continue on in the publishing world.

Catherine Crossan | Prose Reader

Catherine Crossan is a sophomore English adolescent education major with a focus in creative writing. When she’s not reading a good short story or writing, she’s hanging out with friends or offering service to her community through her service fraternity, APO. She’s very excited to be a part of Gandy Dancer.

Anthony Guttilla | Prose Reader

Anthony Guttilla is from Milton, New York. He is currently a senior majoring in English (creative writing). When he’s not writing, he enjoys driving and working on his car, listening to music, and taking walks through nature.

Wyatt Hargrove | Prose Reader

Wyatt Hargrove is a third-year English (creative writing) major from Manlius, New York. He is passionate about skiing, hiking, traveling to new places, and, of course, reading and writing. His favorite authors include J.R.R. Tolkien, Herman Melville, and Richard Adams.

Liz Louie | Poetry Reader

Liz Louie is an English (creative writing) major and is now in her fifth year of education. For all five of those years, Liz has been a member of the Geneseo Equestrian Team. Whenever writers block hits, she can be found riding her horse, Chile. In the future, Liz hopes to write screenplays, specifically of the horror genre, and write songs for her band, Auratus.

Jackson Michalski | Prose Reader

Jackson Michalski is a communication major on the media and journalism tract. He is a super-senior in his final semester at Geneseo and currently spends his time finishing up his English minor and film minor. He is from Rochester, New York, and has been passionate about reading and writing since a young age. When he’s not writing, he can be found snowboarding or skateboarding.

Juslannie Rosso | Poetry Reader

Juslannie Rosso is a third-year English (creative writing) major with a minor in communications. She hopes to pursue a career in higher education to help guide first generation college students. Juslannie enjoys writing and studying poetry as a form of self expression, but when she isn’t in class you can find her working as a Resident Assistant in Erie Hall, proudly serving as Original Xpressions’ Vice President, or playing monopoly with friends.

Christian Roth | Prose Reader

Christian Roth is a senior majoring in English adolescent education with a concentration in creative writing. He attended high school in Hilton, New York but now lives in Spencerport, New York. He has two older brothers, Corey and Tyler, and two dogs—a pug and a mini goldendoodle whose names are Buddy and Melly. He’s played hockey for the Geneseo Ice Knights for three years and is currently in his fourth year on the team. His hobbies are, yes, hockey, spending time with friends and family, and, of course, writing.

Rachel Hall | Faculty Advisor

Rachel Hall is the author of Heirlooms (BkMk Press, 2016) which was selected by Marge Piercy for the G.S. Sharat Chandra Book Prize. Her stories and essays have been published in numerous journals and anthologies, including Crab Orchard Review, Gettysburg Review, New Letters, Guernica Daily, and LitHub. She teaches creative writing and literature at Geneseo where she holds two Chancellor’s Award for Excellence–one for teaching and one for creative work.

Allison Brown | Production Advisor

Allison Brown, Production Advisor to Gandy Dancer, is the Digital Publishing Services Manager at Milne Library. She was on the staff for her college literary magazine, so she loves helping out with Gandy Dancer. Now she works on all types of open access publications and free online textbooks.

Maria Pawlak | Managing Editor

Maria Pawlak is a junior English Education major from Owego, New York. She is passionate about many things, from reading and writing to complicated Spotify playlists and yolk-only chocolate chip cookies. When not reading or writing, she can be found at her job as a Resident Assistant in Seneca Hall, working in the Writing Learning Center, or giving ardent speeches about the literary merits of traditionally women’s fiction. 

Nate Bedell is a senior English (creative writing) major at SUNY Geneseo. When he isn’t looking for new topics to write about, he enjoys hiking and the occasional video game. 

Alison DiCesare | Creative  Non-Fiction  Editor

Alison is a senior English creative writing major with a minor in film studies. At school she is a tutor for the Writing Learning Center, the secretary of Circus Club, and a dancer for Orchesis. At home she spends her time reading, writing, watching YouTube, and practicing her belief that dessert can (should) be eaten all hours of the day. 

Amaya DiGiovanni | Creative Non-Fiction Reader

Amaya DiGiovanni is a junior English Education major from Duanesburg, New York. She is a member of the SUNY Geneseo Blue Wave Swimming and Diving team, a Student Athlete Mentor, and the student member on NYSED’s Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching. Amaya loves crafting, thrifting, and being outdoors. In the future, Amaya plans on pursuing her Masters of Science in Reading and Literacy.  

 Madisun Edmond | Fiction Reader

Madisun Edmond is a senior English major. She is passionate about many things including animals and her family. When she’s not spending time with her nieces, she loves to escape reality with novels and playing Animal Crossing! She hopes to pursue a career in editing and perhaps try to make it as an author one day.

Regina Fuller | Poetry Reader

Regina Fuller, 29, is a senior Adolescence Education Major who is a writer and future published author.

Julia Grunes |  Fiction  Editor

Julia Grunes is an English (creative writing) and psychology double major from Monroe, New York. She loves reading and writing, and is currently studying fiction and speculative nonfiction. Her fiction has been published in Gandy Dancer in the past. When Julia isn’t writing, she can be found making music with her a cappella group, Exit 8, or her violin.

Matthew Keller |  Fiction  Editor

Matt Keller is a senior English major from Caledonia, New York. Besides learning about literature and creative writing, he enjoys spending time with his chinchilla, Taylor, and two guinea pigs, Peter and Phil. You can find him reading some of his favorite authors like Fitzgerald, Kafka, and the Bronte sisters during his breaks at the Geneseo Wegmans.

Jenna Macleod |  Creative  Non-Fiction  Reader

Jenna Macleod is a junior at SUNY Geneseo from Cornwall, New York. She is a childhood special education major with a concentration in English. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with her friends, diving, and watching movies or TV shows.

Jessica Marinaro |  Creative Non-Fiction Reader

Jessica Marinaro is a sophomore English Creative Writing major from Buffalo, NY. She hopes to go to graduate school for English and possibly pursue a career in academia. She currently writes for Her Campus and has had her work published in Iris Magazine. Outside of the literary realm, she is an avid fan of yoga, coffee, and chess (even though she’s not very good at it). This is her first time working on a literary magazine, so she’s very excited to be a part of Gandy Dancer!

John Mattsion | Creative Non-Fiction Reader

John Mattison is a senior English Creative Writing major at Geneseo. He enjoys writing and plans on going to work in editing or archiving.

Iliana Papadopoulos | Poetry Reader

Iliana Papadopoulos has been tethered to words earlier than she can remember. From her first rap performance about Nelson Mandela in the first grade to discovering her love for young adult fiction during the summer before high school, or exploring the vast realm of poetry through her own written works. She has over time established a foundation for how she perceives literature; aiming to interact with literature as more than words on paper, rather empathetically. With the belief that literature is alive, Iliana feels literature reflects well the complexities of how politics affect individual experiences. 

Walter Paskoff | Poetry Reader

Walter Paskoff is a senior English and Education major with a Spanish minor who’s always looking for projects to start, Gandy Dancer being no different. Whenever he is free, he’s always looking for ways to grow, whether it be through exercise, reading and putting together puzzles, or making new connections. Working on Gandy Dancer makes the perfect project, a collaborative, challenging space focused on the beauty of the English language.

Sparrow Potter | Poetry Reader

Sparrow Potter is a junior English Creative Writing major from Rochester, New York. When she isn’t singing, she’s probably drawing, and if she isn’t doing that, she’s probably playing Dungeons and Dragons. Sparrow is one of the co-musical directors of Emmelodics and is in the pledge team for the community service fraternity APO. She delights in being in the editing chair for the first (but hopefully not last) time!

Erika Powers | Fiction Reader

Erika Powers is a Junior English major from Long Island, New York. In her off-time, Erika loves creating art and collecting beanie babies. With a passion for art, both visual and musical, she’s excited to be diving into the world of  literary magazines!

Julian Silverman |  Creative  Non-Fiction  Reader

Julian Silverman is a sophomore International Relations student from Westchester, New York. Passionate about travel, art, and everything unknown, he is driven by the allure of experience and a good meal. While he has never worked on a literary journal before, he is excited to be working on Gandy Dancer this semester. Before coming to Geneseo, he took two gap years, during which he served with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps in the North Central region and lived in Boston and New York. Julian’s favorite authors are Hunter S. Thompson and Khalil Gibran.

Thomas Skinnider |  Creative  Non-Fiction  Reader

Thomas Skinnider is majoring in Psychology and Philosophy, and minoring in English. He loves studying languages, and much of his time is spent researching psycholinguistics with the Psychology Department. He is also fond of film.

Taylor Tirabassi |  Fiction  Reader

Taylor is a senior English major eager to broaden her knowledge of grammar and literature through reading and editing. She can’t wait to read all the amazing pieces submitted to Gandy Dancer this semester! 

Daphne Xulu |  Poetry  Reader

Daphne Xulu is a second year exchange student from the U.K. In her spare time, she writes poetry and has self-published a poetry book called Paper Moon. In the U.K. she studies Creative Writing and Film and Screen Studies, and is excited to delve into the world of literary journals.

Julia Yakowyna |  Poetry  Editor

Julia Yakowyna is currently a junior at SUNY Geneseo. She is attaining a degree in English Adolescent Education, with plans to attain a master’s degree in the future. She enjoys reading and writing, as well as singing with her Acappella group, Between The Lines. Julia loves spending time with her family, friends, and her dog Toby. 

Rachel Hall | Faculty Advisor

Rachel Hall is the author of Heirlooms (BkMk Press, 2016) which was selected by Marge Piercy for the G.S. Sharat Chandra Book Prize. Her stories and essays have been published in numerous journals and anthologies, including Crab Orchard Review, Gettysburg Review, New Letters, Guernica Daily, and LitHub. She teaches creative writing and literature at Geneseo where she holds two Chancellor’s Award for Excellence–one for teaching and one for creative work.

Allison Brown | Production Advisor

Allison Brown, Production Advisor to Gandy Dancer, is the Digital Publishing Services Manager at Milne Library. She was on the staff for her college literary magazine, so she loves helping out with Gandy Dancer. Now she works on all types of open access publications and free online textbooks.

Maria Pawlak | Managing Editor

Maria Pawlak is a junior English Education major from Owego, New York. She is passionate about many things, from reading and writing to complicated Spotify playlists and yolk-only chocolate chip cookies. When not reading or writing, she can be found at her job as a Resident Assistant in Seneca Hall, working in the Writing Learning Center, or giving ardent speeches about the literary merits of traditionally women’s fiction. 

 Tommy Castronova is a senior at SUNY Geneseo majoring in English Adolescent Education. While he has never worked on a literary magazine before, he is thrilled to be working on the Gandy Dancer this semester!

Emma Durfee | Creative Non- Fiction Reader

Emma Durfee is a senior English, Adolescent Education major, from Attica, New York. In her free time, she enjoys baking, shopping, spending time with family, friends, and taking care of her large collection of houseplants. As a future English teacher, Emma values her education and enjoys reading a variety of literature. In the future, Emma plans on pursuing her Masters of Science in Adolescence Education, as well as potential teaching residencies.

Heather Heckman | Fiction Reader

Heather Heckman is an English Literature major with a minor in Linguistics. Having survived homeschooling, she earned her A.A. in Humanities from SUNY Cobleskill before transferring to SUNY Geneseo. She finds comfort in journaling and talking to fictional characters (her imaginary friends). Heather loves learning new languages and also enjoys reading and listening to audiobooks while she knits and crochets.

 Chaim Green | Poetry Reader

Chaim is a senior at Geneseo, with an extensive multi-genre reading background. Ranging from classical literature, Romantics poetry, and mythology, he is an avid reader, but his favorite genre to read is modern fiction. A few of his favorite authors are Agatha Christie and Rick Riordan: he admires how these writers are able to create an immersive realm for the reader to dive into.

Charlie Kenny | Fiction Reader

Charlie Kenny is a senior English Literature and Mathematics double major from Long Island, New York. They have a passion for fiction reading and writing (particularly fantasy and horror) that deal with queer themes. They also enjoy listening to podcasts, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and are currently working on making an RPG Maker game. 

Hannah Lustyik | Creative Non- Fiction Reader

Hannah Lustyik is an English major with a concentration in Creative Writing. She comes from Sleepy Hollow, a literal Halloween town and birthplace of many literary classics such as Washington’s Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip van Winkle. She is interested in film and would love to write for the big screen, for now, she’ll stick to watching bad comedies in her apartment. 

Sophie A. Montecalvo | Creative Non- Fiction Reader

Sophie A. Montecalvo is a senior at SUNY Geneseo, set to graduate in May 2022.  She’s an English major with a concentration in Creative Writing.  She loves reading, writing, and Star Wars.

Jenna Murray| Poetry Editor

Jenna Murray is from Rochester, New York. She is an English major with a concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in Communications. Currently, she is also Copy Editor for The Lamron and a writer for Glasse Factory. Jenna studies poetry and creative nonfiction and was previously published in Gandy Dancer 9.1. She loves traveling, old music, crystals, and her cat Suki. When Jenna is not writing, she can be found making homemade dumplings, researching niche topics, or making ceramics with her friends.

Elizabeth Roos| Fiction Reader

Elizabeth Roos is a junior English (creative writing) major and film studies minor from Clifton Park, NY. Before attending Geneseo, she trained a red-tailed hawk as an NYS licensed apprentice falconer and still has an avid love for birds. Liz specializes in fiction, particularly fantasy or sci-fi, and after college hopes to become an editor or literary agent—alongside maybe publishing one or two novels herself. When she isn’t reading, writing, or watching movies, Liz enjoys playing video games with her friends.

Chloe Smith| Poetry Reader

Chloe is a Creative Writing major with an interest in writing fiction. She attended the Young Writer’s program at Chautauqua Institution, as well as various writing classes at Geneseo. She intends to earn her BA in Creative Writing as well as earn a degree in education before going on to earn her Master’s in Library Sciences. Her goal is to become a librarian while writing in her spare time.

Rachel Hall | Faculty Advisor

Rachel Hall is the author of Heirlooms (BkMk Press, 2016) which was selected by Marge Piercy for the G.S. Sharat Chandra Book Prize. Her stories and essays have been published in numerous journals and anthologies, including Crab Orchard Review, Gettysburg Review, New Letters, Guernica Daily, and LitHub. She teaches creative writing and literature at Geneseo where she holds two Chancellor’s Award for Excellence–one for teaching and one for creative work.

Allison Brown | Production Advisor

Allison Brown, Production Advisor to Gandy Dancer, is the Digital Publishing Services Manager at Milne Library. She was on the staff for her college literary magazine, so she loves helping out with Gandy Dancer. Now she works on all types of open access publications and free online textbooks.

Sara Devoe | Managing Editor

Sara Devoe is a senior English (creative writing) major with a communication minor from Albany, New York. Sara has a strong passion for fiction writing, specifically flash fiction. Apart from writing, Sara enjoys producing music with her friends and biking, especially in the Fall. Sara hopes to work for a publishing company after she graduates, and eventually wants to live in South Korea.

Anne Baranello is a sophomore English and Adolescent Education major, from Williston Park, Long Island. Anne loves arts and crafts, and her current favorite pastime is crocheting. She also enjoys reading, watching movies, and listening to music from all around the world. In the future, Anne plans to earn her master’s degree in Library Science, and become a high school librarian!

Chase Boggs | Publicist, Fiction Reader 

Chase Boggs is a Junior student at SUNY Geneseo majoring in Adolescence Education with a concentration in English/Creative Writing. He was born and raised in Canandaigua, New York and attended Finger Lakes Community College for two years, graduating with his associate’s degree, before transferring to Geneseo. Before college, Chase wrote for his school district’s newspaper as a writer and cartoonist before leaving to concentrate on his writing as an individual. His favorite format of writing is fiction and poetry, while he enjoys reading fictional and nonfictional works. While hoping to become an English teacher, Chase hopes to one day publish some of his work in the near future. He currently splits his time between Geneseo and his hometown of Canandaigua.

Bridget Cain |Creative Nonfiction Reader

Bridget Cain is a senior English major at SUNY Geneseo. They are from Syracuse, NY, and plan to attend graduate school for mental health counseling; they hope to use their literature and creative writing studies as a tool to expand on different types of therapy. In their spare time, they replay Fire Emblem: Three Houses, continuing their file that already has 275 hours saved.

 Kathryn Capone | Fiction Reader 

Kathryn Capone is a Junior English Literature major and communications minor at SUNY Geneseo. She is from Suffern, New York and in her free time likes to relax by reading a good book or drawing random cartoon characters.

Joseph Cartwright | Creative Nonfiction Editor 

Joseph Cartwright is a senior majoring in Biology and English literature with great interests in genetics, horticulture, fiction writing, and poetry. When not experimenting with rhyme schemes and haiku forms he runs a small fruit farm and hydroponic greenhouse in the summer.

Conor Chivers | Fiction Reader

Conor is a freshman at Geneseo, with an extensive background reading science-fiction, fantasy and creative works. A couple of his favorite authors are Kurt Vonnegut and Hunter S. Thompson, and he hope to emulate their voices in my writing because he feels their alternative style of writing is very important to the growth and expansion of the field as a whole  (and it’s more fun).

Hailey Cullen | Poetry Reader 

Hailey Cullen is a sophomore childhood/special education major with a concentration in English and an Edgar Fellows minor. Currently, Hailey works as a Resident Assistant for International Student Engagement in Wayne Hall. She is an avid reader, who also enjoys writing poems and short stories. Hailey is passionate about educating students and hopes to publish some of her own writing in the future.

Marissa Fillipello | Creative Nonfiction Editor 

Marissa Filipello is a Senior Communication major concentrated in Journalism and Media at the State University of New York at Geneseo. She is passionate about the arts, including reading, writing, and painting. Furthermore, she takes great responsibility as an editor for the Gandy Dancer, and is often encouraging others to creatively express themselves. Marissa Filipello is the youngest in a family of six, and for her, family comes first.

Hayley Jones | Poetry Reader

Hayley Jones is a senior English Literature major from Rochester, New York. She enjoys reading and writing poetry, mindfulness, listening to punk rock and folk music, and learning about history. She is always open to exploring new ideas and is excited to be involved in the publication of this spring’s edition of the Gandy Dancer.

Will Kilada | Fiction Reader

Will Kilada is a junior English major at SUNY Geneseo from Somers,  NY.  This is his first semester as an English major, and he is excited and passionate about reading and writing. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball.

Anthony Lyon | Fiction Reader

Anthony Lyon is a Junior English major at SUNY Geneseo. They have a passion for writing, co-writing, and work often on long form fiction and hybrid genre pieces. Recently, they were a guest contributor for the Borgen Project, an informative source committed to ending global poverty. Outside of writing, Anthony enjoys movies and competitive video games.

Lara Mangino | Creative Nonfiction Reader 

Lara Mangino is a senior English Literature and Political Science major. Along with working on Gandy Dancer for the second time, she is the proud Editor of Geneseo’s MiNT Magazine and is excited to continue to work to bring the two publications together. In her free time, she wonders why she doesn’t have more of it.

Jenna Murray | Poetry Editor 

Jenna Murray is an English (creative writing) and Communication double major from Rochester, New York. Jenna focuses on poetry and creative nonfiction, and was previously published in Gandy Dancer 9.1. She loves traveling, old music, crystals, and her cat Suki. When Jenna is not writing, she can be found making homemade dumplings, researching niche topics, or making ceramics with her friends.

Maria Pawlak | Fiction Editor 

Maria Pawlak is a sophomore English Education major from Owego, New York. She is passionate about many things, from reading and writing to complicated Spotify playlists and yolk-only chocolate chip cookies. When not reading or writing, she can be found at her job as a Resident Assistant in Seneca Hall, or giving ardent speeches about the literary merits of romance books and other “guilty pleasures” to unfortunate passersby.

Rebecca Perrotta | Creative Nonfiction Reader

Rebecca Perrotta is a freshman at SUNY Geneseo. She is majoring in English and previously worked on her high school’s newspaper as a writer, with two years of experience.

Sarah Sharples | Poetry Reader

Sarah Sharples is a freshman English major and women and gender studies minor. Sarah is also a member of the Edgar Fellows Program and writer for The Lamron. Outside of reading and writing poetry, Sarah enjoys going on walks and spending an inappropriate amount of time working on Spotify playlists.

Jess Vance | Creative Nonfiction Reader

Jess Vance is a senior English (literature) major originally from Williamsport, PA. She received a B.S. in Dietetics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2010 but, after working professionally as a nutritionist and health educator for almost a decade, has decided to shift career paths and embrace a lifelong love of literature.

Bianca Volpe | Creative Nonfiction Reader

Bianca Volpe is a junior Childhood/Special Education major with a concentration in English from Long Island, New York. Bianca has always enjoyed writing and more specifically creative writing. She also enjoys dancing and listening to music in her free time.

Cassandra Walters | Poetry Reader

Cassandra Walters is a sophomore English (literature) major from the Rochester area. Cassandra has a deep passion for anything creative, particularly art, and writing poetry and fiction. Other than that, she enjoys broadening her perspective in any way possible and is quick to jump on a learning opportunity.

Rachel Hall | Faculty Advisor

Rachel Hall is the author of Heirlooms (BkMk Press, 2016) which was selected by Marge Piercy for the G.S. Sharat Chandra Book Prize. Her stories and essays have been published in numerous journals and anthologies, including Crab Orchard Review, Gettysburg Review, New Letters, Guernica Daily and LitHub. She teaches creative writing and literature at Geneseo where she holds two Chancellor’s Award for Excellence–one for teaching and one for creative work.

Jen Galvao | Managing Editor

Jen Galvao is a senior English (Literature) major at SUNY Geneseo. When she isn’t haunting the English Department, she enjoys baking, astrology, and rereading books. After graduation, Jen hopes to pursue an MFA in fiction and to quit biting her nails For Real This Time.

Olivia Martel Cockerham is an English major, Anthropology minor and poet at SUNY Geneseo, with plans to graduate this coming winter. She is growing used to things not going according to plan. She thinks this makes for better stories, anyway.

Gabi Esposito | Fiction Editor

Gabrielle Esposito is a senior Creative Writing major at SUNY Geneseo. She enjoyed the process of putting Gandy Dancer together, and reading the various voices of submissions.

Bri Forgione | Poetry Editor

Bri Forgione is a senior English (Creative Writing) major at SUNY Geneseo. She is a lover of poetry, cooking, reading, and dancing. Bri is from Long Island, New York but equally calls Geneseo her home.

Connor Keihl | CNF Editor 

Connor Keihl is a senior English (Creative Writing) major at SUNY Geneseo. He enjoys writing embarrassing CNF stories, memorizing song lyrics, and laughing when nobody else is. After graduating, he plans to continue his schooling because four years just wasn’t enough to break him.

Kira Baran | CNF Reader

Kira Baran is a sophomore English (Literature) and Communication (Journalism and Media) double major. Her interests revolve around 1960s pop culture, and her favorite book is James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small.  Kira looks forward to studying abroad in Ireland, where the grass is (somehow) always greener than Upstate New York.

Abby Barrett | Poetry Reader 

Abby is an English (Creative Writing) and Sociology double major at SUNY Geneseo. She enjoys good tea and spirits, and asks questions about everything. One day, she would like to own and operate her own restaurant, but for now will continue to eat whole boxes of Annie’s mac & cheese straight from the pot.

Nicole Callahan | Fiction Reader

Nicole Callahan is working towards a degree at a college. She has done some things, does other things currently, and would like to do still other things in the future. When she isn’t in one place, she can often be found at another. She loves certain books, foods, and activities.

Elana Evenden | Fiction Reader

Elana Evenden is a junior English (Literature) major with a minor in Art History at SUNY Geneseo. She is from Schenectady, New York and can be found listening to a Stephen King audiobook on the thruway from Albany to Rochester.

Rachel Lintz | CNF Reader

Rachel Lintz is a senior at SUNY Geneseo studying Childhood and Special Education with a concentration in English. Originally from Rochester, she spends her free time writing poetry and eating garbage plates.

Nicole Logrieco | CNF Reader 

Nicole Logrieco is a senior English (Creative Writing) at SUNY Geneseo, with minors in Communications and Biology. After college, she hopes to combine all three of her degrees and her love of travel.  When she is not spending late nights cramming work, Nicole is planning her next trip or diving into her next artistic endeavor.

Daniel Mariani | Poetry Reader

Dan is a Senior English (Literature) and Adolescent Education major with a minor in Philosophy at SUNY Geneseo. He aims to one day surpass Walt Whitman as the great Long Island poet.

Hannah McSorley | Fiction Reader

Hannah is a senior English major at SUNY Geneseo. She loves Target and iced coffee. Her writing has previously been published in Crab Fat Magazine and Gandy Dancer. She hopes to pursue a career in publishing when she graduates in December.

Erica Milliman | CNF Reader 

Erica Milliman is a senior English and Musical Theatre double major at SUNY Geneseo. She is often (and mostly) found singing obnoxiously in public, but also enjoys video editing and impulsively buying plane tickets to travel the world. In her minimal free time when she isn’t in rehearsals, you can find her engulfed in Outlander or watching Grey’s Anatomy.

Brittany Pratt | Fiction Reader

Brittany Pratt is a senior English (Literature) major from Cicero, NY. After graduation, she plans to give herself time to write and figure out exactly what she loves, before pursuing her master’s. In her rare free moments, she can be found drinking iced coffee while listening to paranormal and true crime podcasts.

Cameron Rustay | Public Relations & CNF Reader 

Cameron Rustay is a senior English major and Biology minor at SUNY Geneseo. After graduation, he plans to continue his studies in order to pursue a career in publishing. In his free time, he enjoys being a caring parent to his many plants.

Courtney Statt | Poetry Reader

Courtney Statt is a senior English (Literature) major at SUNY Geneseo. She wakes up with pen marks on her every morning because she falls asleep with a pen every night.

Tyler Waldriff | Fiction Reader

Tyler Waldriff is a junior English (Literature) major from Western New York. He is looking to pursue a career in publishing following graduation. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing guitar, and adding movies to a watchlist he’ll (probably) never get to.

Jason Whelehan | CNF Reader 

Jason Whelehan is from Rochester, New York. He returned to school a few years ago, initially studying philosophy before switching to English literature. He has been writing creatively for a few years and aspires to get published, and to someday teach at the college level.

Rachel Hall | Faculty Advisor

Rachel Hall is the author of Heirlooms (BkMk Press, 2016) which was selected by Marge Piercy for the G.S. Sharat Chandra Book Prize. Her stories and essays have been published in numerous journals and anthologies, including Crab Orchard Review, Gettysburg Review, New Letters, Guernica Daily and LitHub. She teaches creative writing and literature at Geneseo where she holds two Chancellor’s Award for Excellence–one for teaching and one for creative work.

Lily Codera | Managing Editor

Lily Codera is a senior English (creative writing) major at SUNY Geneseo, with minors in philosophy and geology. She currently has five plants, which are all currently still alive. After she graduates, she plans to pursue an MFA in poetry, teach English abroad, and to continue adding to her collection of words and rocks.