Enlightened Aesthetic Magazine

EDITORIAL TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Loretta Clayton is Associate Professor of English and Interdisciplinary Studies and Interim Dean of Graduate Studies at Middle Georgia State University. To encourage student inquiry in the area of material culture, she created the class “Fashion, Literature and Culture” for MGA. As the professor of this class in the spring of 2016, she serves as Consulting Editor for the magazine Enlightened Aesthetic, an Experiential Learning class project. As a scholar, she specializes in Victorian British literature and culture and has published several book chapters, mainly in connection with the writer Oscar Wilde and his association with Victorian discourses of aesthetics and fashion. Originally from New York City, she is a happy transplant to Georgia where she enjoys the warmth and sunshine and — most of all — her creative, dynamic, curious, and amazing students, who inspire her every day. In 2016, Dr. Clayton was honored to receive the MGA University Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Quanitrice Cystrunk is currently a senior in her final semester at Middle Georgia State University; she is excited to see what awaits her in the future! Her major is Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Information Technology. She is interested in fashion, beauty, and early childhood educational curriculum. Quanitrice feels that majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies grants her access to all of her interests. She holds an associate’s degree in Early and Special Education but she had additional career goals and dreams. Once she becomes established in the fashion and business world, her dream is to open a higher learning academy in her old neighborhood, which is predominantly African-American and of limited resources. Quanitrice hopes that such an academy will give a prestige level of education to low income families. Fashion and beauty is her life, but she doesn’t want kids to look up to her for being able to use a make-up brush artistically. She wants them to look up to her for being patient enough to properly educate herself before diving in first. Quanitrice believes that knowledge is power; it’s our foundation, and it should be taken seriously. She likes to say that, “Beauty can diminish over time; however, knowledge is with you forever.” Quanitrice is a Fashion Consultant for Enlightened Aesthetic.

Fashion spoke to Tajshmon “T.J.” Brooks, at a very young age, and he responded. T.J. is a senior at Middle Georgia State University who will receive his B.A. in New Media and Communications in the spring of 2016. T.J.’s plans for the near future include continuing to produce for a popular reality series entitled Love in The Macon and pursuing various editorial projects. He is also working on his clothing brand Critique because fashion will always be his first love. T.J. is a Fashion Consultant for Enlightened Aesthetic.

• FASHION EXTRAORDINAIRE
• INNOVATIVE DESIGNER

Betsy Fitts is a senior Interdisciplinary Studies major at Middle Georgia State University with a concentration in Psychology who hopes to graduate in December of 2016. She is a receptionist at a local law firm and enjoys singing back-up vocals for various artists when available. Betsy loves people, pearls, and pretty things and believes that yoga makes the world a happier place. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue the goal of becoming a certified music therapist. As part of the Editorial Board of Enlightened Aesthetic, Betsy presented on the “Experiential Learning: The Making of a Fashion Magazine” panel at the 2016 Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Conference at MGA. As part of her spring 2016 MGA Honors Project, she serves as the Creative Director of the magazine.

Quo Vardis Thompson is a senior at Middle Georgia State University who will receive her A.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Psychology in the spring of 2016. She is an aspiring yogi with interests in sewing and lives a vegan lifestyle with her two sons and husband in Atlanta, Georgia. She also enjoys reading, writing poetry, cooking, shopping, and traveling. She plans to attend Physical Therapy Assistant school upon graduation and eventually live on an island. She serves as a content contributor for Enlightened Aesthetic.

Kowacie Reeves is currently the CIS Counselor at Central High School in Macon, GA. He has an associate’s degree in English and is currently pursuing his B.A. in English at Middle Georgia State University. Upon obtaining his bachelor’s degree, Kowacie will pursue a career as a high school English teacher. Additionally, he has a minor in Creative Writing. His interests include youth mentoring, writing, and athletic coaching. Never one to shy away from giving back to his community and helping others, Kowacie particularly enjoys working with young people living is his hometown of Macon. He is the creator of hypesouth.com, a website specializing in maximum exposure for student athletes in Middle Georgia, South Carolina, and East Texas. Kowacie serves as the Contributors Page Editor for Enlightened Aesthetic.

Jovontia Jordan is a junior at Middle Georgia State University. Her major is Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in history, and she plans to graduate in spring of 2017. Jovontia’s interests include watching movies, shopping, and learning about history. Her future plan — after graduation — is to become a paralegal or even possibly a police officer.

Additionally, fashion,design, and pop culture has always piqued her interest every since she was a child, which is what prompted her to enroll in the IDS 4040 Fashion, Literature, & Culture course. Jovontia serves as the Contributors Page Co-Editor for Enlightened Aesthetic.

Teresa English is a Nontraditional Student at Middle Georgia State University. She graduates 
 in May of 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. Biology is her concentration of choice, and the scientific method rules her logical processes. Teresa’s interests include history, politics and creative pursuits. As part of the Editorial Board for Enlightened Aesthetic, she presented on the “Experiential Learning: The Making of a Fashion Magazine” panel at the 2016 Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Conference at MGA. Teresa serves as the Research Editor for the magazine.

Erica Simmons is a junior at Middle Georgia State University. She is an Interdisciplinary Studies major set to graduate in the spring of 2017. Erica wants to pursue a career as a Visual Merchandising Director once she graduates, preferably for Ann Taylor or Gap Inc. Her interest in fashion and her skill in photography have been beneficial to her contribution to creating what she describes as “one fabulous magazine!” Erica is the Editor of Photography for Enlightened Aesthetic. As part of the magazine’s Editorial Board, she presented on the “Experiential Learning: The Making of a Fashion Magazine” panel at the 2016 Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Conference at MGA.

Where others may see junk, Jacqueline Munson sees the possibility of new fashion, furniture, art, jewelry, or accessories! Funky, fresh, not just thrown-together, Jackie’s research is complete before she begins any “up-cycle” project. Jackie is a junior at Middle Georgia State University majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in English who plans to receive her B.A. in spring 2017. She is a wife, mother of six, grandmother of five, and has a great passion for new experiences. Jackie likes to quote the great Giorgio Armani, who once said: “Elegance is not catching somebody’s eyes; it’s staying in somebody’s memory.” In her role as Content and Copy Editor for Enlightened Aesthetic, Jackie presented on the “Experiential Learning: The Making of a Fashion Magazine” panel at the 2016 Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Conference at MGA.

Holly Harmon is a senior Interdisciplinary Studies major with a concentration in Psychology at Middle Georgia State University. Holly works in marketing at the moment, and she is happy to report that creating this magazine translated into strengthening her work projects for her current job. Holly cannot wait to graduate and put her degree to good use! She loves that fashion is able to have so much influence over the sociological norms of society. As Holly sees it, fashion creates change and empowers it. Holly serves as Content and Copy Editor of Enlightened Aesthetic; as part of the magazine’s Editorial Board, she presented on the “Experiential Learning: The Making of a Fashion Magazine” panel at the 2016 Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Conference at MGA.

Shnerrial “Nell” Jordan is a senior at Middle Georgia State University. In May 2016, she will graduate from MGA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Psychology.

She is currently the store manager at Lady Footlocker in Macon, GA. Because of her work at Lady Footlocker — where Nell acts as the “fashion director,” Nell considers herself up to date on all the latest fashion trends as it pertains to footwear, urban fashion, and sportswear.

Similarly, she serves as the primary fashion consultant for Enlightened Aesthetic.

Jarell Ferguson-Smith is a senior at Middle Georgia State University. She is a psychology major with a concentration in both Pre-Clinical Counseling and Leadership and Training/Business who plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology in December of 2016. After graduation, Jarell intends to pursue a Master of Science Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. When she is not studying, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends, cooking, traveling, reading, and watching some reality television. “Fashion, Literature, and Culture” has opened her mind to how much fashion plays a role in our culture. Jarell particularly enjoys how fashion pieces are uniquely made and can be creatively matched together to reflect an individual’s personality and creativity. She serves as a content contributor for Enlightened Aesthetic.

Stephanie Breitenbach is a New Media and Communications major at Middle Georgia State University who will be graduating in the spring of 2017. Stephanie is interested in film, writing, and fashion; over the past few months, she has been writing and taking photographs for a fashion segment in MGA’s student newspaper, The Statement. Stephanie feels it is important to share different types of fashion trends and to make known the significance of caring about style and appearance. Stephanie serves as a Content Editor for Enlightened Aesthetic.

Jessica Sims is a senior in Interdisciplinary Studies at Middle Georgia State University. After graduation this May, she will begin teaching kindergarten at Crabapple Lane Elementary in Fayette County, Georgia. Being an Interdisciplinary Studies major has given her amazing opportunities to learn and grow outside of the typical learning environment. Participation in the Fashion course and development of the class magazine is one such opportunity, and it has allowed her to intertwine cultural theory with her love of fashion. She will serves as a content contributor for Enlightened Aesthetic.

Alex King is a Senior Interdisciplinary Studies major at Middle Georgia State University with an English concentration and will be graduating in the Spring of 2016. He has many years in the field of customer service with the Ritz-Carlton-Atlanta, the Fox Theatre, and the Atlanta Braves supporting a vast resume. Immediately following graduation, he will be entering a Leadership Development Program with Chick-fil-A which will guide him toward one day being the owner/operator of his own store. While Alex has been raised to “dress to impress,” the world of fashion has never been a strong interest, yet the Fashion, Literature, and Culture class with Dr. Loretta Clayton has sparked a noticeable interest. He serves as a content contributor to Enlightened Aesthetic.

Jordan Green is a senior at Middle Georgia State University. He is an English major with aspirations to be a school teacher. Moreover, Green is set to be married in January of 2017.

He coaches two (2) sports and has been interested in sports fashion every since he can remember. Specifically, accessories such as baseball caps and headbands really pique his interest.

He serves as a fashion consultant for Enlightened Aesthetic.

Megan Rosenberger is currently in her junior year at Middle Georgia State University where she is pursuing a B.A. in New Media & Communications. She expects to graduate in the spring of 2017. Megan says that she entered the class “Fashion, Literature and Culture” with little knowledge about fashion, but now finds that she has a new-found appreciation for it! Megan serves as the Photography and Art Director for Enlightened Aesthetic.