Overlooked In Appalachia Honors Fall 2025 Graduates

On Monday, Overlooked In Appalachia members gathered for the second annual Holiday & Graduate Recognition Ceremony. Out of the five graduating students, three were executive members and two were long-standing contributors.

Left to right: Claire Perkins, Co-Executive Director Hunter Mehaffey, Jordan Bond, Faculty Advisor Senta Scarborough, Kayliee Young, Executive Director Faith Vance, Haley Carter, Joi Malone

Claire Perkins joined the executive board in May 2025 as Multimedia Editor. Perkins is a Media and Communication major and transferred to East Tennessee State University two years ago. She has been a driving force during OIA's brand overhaul, dedicating countless hours to the publication. Perkins also attended the 2025 Engagement Scholarship Consortium, representing OIA's storytelling efforts during Hurricane Helene.

Haley Carter has been a Multimedia Editor for OIA since spring 2025 and has been a committed executive member ever since. A Media and Communication major and Global Citizen Scholars minor, Carter focuses on journalism and broadcast media. She is a general assignment reporter for the East Tennessean and promotions director for The Edge. With a passion for storytelling, Carter has explored numerous areas of journalism, even interviewing country singer Luke Combs during the 2025 North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Alisia “Joi” Malone began as an OIA writer and photographer in Spring 2025, focusing her work on amplifying the voices of BIPOC and immigrant voices in Appalachia. A Media and Communication major with minors in fashion merchandising and marketing, Malone’s work earned her the Chanticleer Award for Excellence in Writing from the ETSU Media and Communication Department last semester. She is a member of the National Black Journalists Association, the Strategic Media Club and has served as the marketing director for Clinicians of Color Collective. This year, she attended the 2025 Engagement Scholarship Consortium, representing OIA's storytelling efforts during Hurricane Helene.

Jordan Bond joined OIA as a photojournalist this semester. They are a Media and Communication major with a concentration in TV/Film with a minor in art. They have a natural talent and true passion for all types of photography. They are also a longtime member of ETSU’s Marching Band. Bond is also a current media intern for Colonial Heights United Methodist Church

Kayliee Young joined OIA last semester as a member of the executive board, serving as Advertising & Promotions Manager. She’s devoted numerous hours to writing, designing and promoting OIA and its new brand. Young is a Media and Communication major with a focus in public relations and a minor in journalism.

She is currently serving as the social media intern for Cocke County’s Long-term (Hurricane Helene) Recovery Group. She recently attended the APIEL (Appalachia Public Interest, Environmental Law) conference at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and the NETN (Northeast Tennessee) Regional Disaster Recovery Update conference.