Welcome back, everyone! For our last “Meet the Editors” panel of February, we would like to introduce you all to our assistant managing editor: Alexciana Castaneda. Alexciana is a Junior at Lewis University, majoring in Public Policy with a minor in Sociology. She is also a tutor and English – Language Learner Specialist in the university’s Writing Center. At Lewis, Alexciana has experience as a Community Engaged Learning Facilitator and as the Secretary for Pi Sigma Alpha. She has joined the Jet Fuel Review team in hopes of expanding her knowledge about editing and publishing as well as to help others find their voice. Alexciana has presented twice at Celebration of Scholarship, with her most recent work, “Who Asked the Children? The American Welfare State and the Initial COVID-19 Response” presented in Spring 2021. Some of her favorite writers include bell hooks, Carla Shedd, and Susan Wendell. After graduation, Alexciana plans to pursue her Masters of Public Health degree with a focus in Health Policy and Administration. Her co-authored work has appeared in the Journal on Policy and Complex Systems.
Who are you and what is your role in the Jet Fuel Review?
Hello! My name is Alexciana and I am currently the Assistant Managing Editor and one of the Prose Editors.
What book might we find on your nightstand right now?
I am currently reading Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky and Connie Burk. It has been a great text to explore as I start to think about careers in social justice and community service.
Describe your perfect reading atmosphere.
My perfect reading atmosphere would be on a hammock outside that is surrounded by tall trees, the sounds of nature, and a light breeze. I would lay with one leg under the other, book in hand, and a glass of lemonade within arm’s reach.
What might your personal library look like?
My current library is small. It’s a tall white bookshelf that is a mix of books I love, books I have yet to read, and a variety of texts that have been assigned to me throughout college. Many of my mementos also line the edges of the shelves. In the future, I would love to have a dedicated reading room with a few floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a set of comfy chairs, and large windows that provide a lot of natural light.
Give us a quote from your favorite (or any) book/movie.
“I tell my students, ‘When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else. This is not just a grab bag candy game.’” — Toni Morrison in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in November 2003