Chief Editor
Cierra Franklin
Cierra Franklin is a senior Mass Communications major with a concentration in Journalism and Public Relations. Since the tender age of five, she knew that Communications was her first love. Cierra can vividly remember 6-year- old her starring as the host of Wake Up Sunbeams, a daily live broadcast providing updates on school events, or her first article being published at the age of 14. Upon graduation, Cierra will combine her passion for communications with politics and social justice by securing a job in the District of Columbia. In her spare time, she love’s to recreate some of her Nana’s best recipes, decorate, travel, and plan for the future.
Managing Editor
Sydney Hencil
Sydney is an international student from Zimbabwe studying Mass Communications. She came to America because she loves to travel and experience new cultures. She loves to dance and read food blogs. As well as writing for The Alchemist, Sydney has her own blog, a YouTube series out with a friend and is on the writing team for the HerCampus organization. She is also apart of the Competition Dance Team, Tau Sigma Dance Fraternity, and International Club on campus. She hopes to continue to travel by working in the media field when she graduates.
Arts & Entertainment
Marissa Brown
Marissa Brown is a senior and will be receiving her degree in Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations and Journalism, a minor in Theatre, and a certification in Women’s Leadership, in May 2020. Throughout her college career she has taken an interest in digital art, including graphic design, photography, and video production. Marissa has used these skills to document her experiences traveling throughout the world. Over the course of her college career, she has gained experience working as a liaison for foreign exchange students, a marketing assistant, and a Museum Interpretation intern at the High Museum of Art. “The fuel for my artistic passions is my interest in different cultures around the world and the expansion of my philosophical beliefs. Having a diverse perspective to understand the nuisances of cultures, ideologies, and people are important skills that I possess which are needed in the communications field,” said Marissa.
Campus Life
Azayla Rodriguez
Azayla comes from small circled cities, but there is absolutely nothing about her personality that is small. She is a senior who will be graduating with a degree in Communications with a minor in Dance alongside a Women’s Leadership Certificate. She is heavily involved on campus, being the Vice President of the HerCampus, a member of the Tau Sigma Dance Fraternity and a section editor for The Alchemist. She was also apart of the schools Competition Dance Team. Besides being active at Brenau, she is an intern for the Department of Water Resources for the city of Gainesville, Ga and she dances for the WNBA Shooting Stars for the Atlanta Dream. After she graduates she plans to step into the work field of journalism and after a year or two of gaining experience, she will be going to graduate school to get a master’s degree in Digital/Magazine Storytelling at NYU for Arts and Sciences. She hopes one day that you will be reading her work in magazines across the world.
“Love what you do and do what you love. Everything is everything.” – Azayla
Opinion/Sports
Dyiesha Brown
Dyiesha is a senior Mass Communication major with a concentration in digital. She was born and raised in Marietta, GA and graduated from Sprayberry High School. Dyiesha is a student- athlete on the varsity basketball team. Since being at Brenau University she has had the opportunity to participate in many areas of mass communication. She created my own sports radio show called BU Got Game, created a short film for Campus MovieFest, developed media kits, and now she is a writer and editor for the Alchemist!