Thank you to our current and former contributors at Overlooked in Appalachia!
Overlooked in Appalachia Non-Student Administration
Dr. Mimi Perreault
Publisher and Advisor
Dr. Mimi Perreault is the publisher and advisor to Overlooked in Appalachia. Dr. Perreault is an assistant professor in the Department of Media Communication at East Tennessee State University and teaches the journalism capstone, magazine class, and crisis communication. Dr. Perrault's contact information can be found in the "Contact Us" tab.
Overlooked in Appalachia Student Team Members
Meet The Team
Abby Herndon
Abby is a senior majoring in Media and Communications and concentrating in Journalism, as well as a co-editor for Overlooked in Appalachia. After graduation, she will combine her passion for writing and social justice by pursuing a career in advocacy journalism. She enjoys writing poetry, playing guitar, and practicing yoga in her free time. She is excited to be writing for Overlooked because of all the hidden gems of Appalachia that deserve to be uncovered.
Marisa Sardonia
Marisa is a junior this semester and a co-editor for Overlooked in Appalachia. She is studying Media and Communications with a minor in Journalism. She is from Knoxville, Tenn., and her biggest passions are writing, films and discovering new music. Marisa looks forward to working with Overlooked as she discovers the beauty of the region that is Appalachia.
Nikki Chambers
Nikki is a junior majoring in Media and Communications and minoring in Digital Marketing. This semester, she is working as a lab student for Overlooked in Appalachia and she could not be more excited. Her entire life, she has been surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains and is excited to be a part of this organization. Outside of being a college student, she owns a business where she is a full-time photographer. She mainly photographs couples, engagements and weddings so she is excited to branch out into the world of nature photography as the semester picks up.
Jordan Burgess
Jordan is a senior and will be graduating in December. She is majoring in Media and Communications and minoring in Appalachian Studies. Jordan is excited to be working with Overlooked’s social media team this semester. Her favorite things include her cats, movies, music, reading and living in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Jennifer Lu
Jennifer is a junior majoring in Media and Communications and minoring in Advertising and Digital Marketing. Jeniffer is excited to be working with the design team this semester for Overlooked in Appalachia.
Jacob Orr
Jacob is an aspiring sports photographer based out of Bristol, Tenn. He is a senior majoring in Media/ Communications with a minor in Digital Marketing. Living in the Great Smoky Mountains, he uses his diligence and passion to encapsulate the area around him. Jacob is a lab student working with the graphic and design team for Overlooked in Appalachia.
Abigail Wolfenbarger
Abigail is a junior majoring in Media and Communications. She has grown up enjoying the beauty of the East Tennessee mountains, which formed her love for nature, camping and all types of animals. The Appalachian Region also inspires her passion for writing stories and poetry; she looks forward to sharing this interest in her articles for the magazine.
Mahayla Waldrop
Mahayla is a sophomore studying Media and Communications with a concentration in Journalism. She is also minoring in Political Science. She is a magazine layout editor, copy editor and writer for this edition. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, writing and watching scary movies. She is also a writer for the East Tennessean and enjoys research and writing. In the future, she hopes to work as a reporter for a major newspaper or magazine. Mahayla is very excited to be contributing to Overlooked in Appalachia this year and looking forward to learning more about the region.
Jade Owens
Jade is a senior majoring in Media and Communications with a focus in Journalism as well as a minor in Digital Media. Her goal after graduation is to pursue any career in the journalism field.
Kayliee Young
Kayliee is a senior studying Public Relations and Journalism who is graduating in the summer. She is from Bean Station, Tenn., which is hidden at the bottom of Clinch Mountain. The mountains and forests of Appalachia have always made for gorgeous hiking spots and have never left her without writing material. Kayliee is excited to contribute to the graphics and design as well as the layout team this semester.
Bridget Leary
Bridget is a senior majoring in Media and Communications with a minor in Digital Marketing. She is a photographer from Asheville, N.C. and loves shooting a variety of genres. Bridget is excited to work with Overlooked this semester and help show the raw beauty of Appalachia.
Madison McAlister
Madison is a sophomore pursuing a degree in Media and Communications with a double minor in Journalism and Digital marketing. She is from Knoxville, Tenn., and she is interested in social media and content creation. She is excited to see what this semester with Overlooked will bring.
Hannah Peters
Hannah is a senior studying Media and Communications with a minor in Digital Marketing. She will be working alongside the social media team this semester. She loves to travel throughout the great outdoors hiking alongside her dog, Maui, and her partner, Brent. After graduation, she plans to move to Boulder, Colo. to focus on her career and to be closer to the great national parks out-west.
Abbey Bentley
Abbey is a senior majoring in Media and Communications and concentrating in Journalism. Her hobbies include listening and singing to music, watching Disney and Marvel movies and reading fantasy and science fiction novels.
Former Contributors
Fall 2022
Elizabeth Swanson
Olivia Preshong
Caleb Key
Janin Hernandez
Abbey Bentley
Olivia Perry
Jaymee Woodmore
Remi Chartier
Alexandra Daub
Abby Herndon
Isiah Quaintance
Kaitlyn Thomas
Bailey Wynn
Anna Adelfang
Jacob Orr
Joshua Boone
Spring 2022
Elizabeth Swanson
Karaline Baley
Sterling Stone
Maris Rennolds
Will Holcombe
Olivia Preshong
Seth Dunham
Katie Jenkins
Caleb Key
Neyland Kilpatrick
Chandler Bradley
Mia Bertani
Elizabeth "Lily" Edwards
Janin Hernandez
Spring 2021
Casey Keeley
Atlantis Warren
Kayla Hackney
Kate Trabalka
Allison Winters
Hannah Brooks
Alisha Lakhani
Fall 2020
Casey Keeley
Kayla Hackney
Kate Trabalka
Allison Winters
Spring 2020
Hannah Wallace
Laura Chrisman
Paige Hill
Kirsty McCaughtry
Michaela Platt
Fall 2019
Alex Daugherty
Keriann Lane
Victoria Marion
Rachael Swidan
Morgan Holland
Sarah Judkins
Jamey Vicars
Laura Chrisman
Jeremiah Pearson
Cole Sams
Matt Peace
Carly Tribble
Andrew Diggs
Elizabeth "Lily" Edwards
Jonathan Walker
Jonathan Roberts
Paige Hill
Sydney Wright