Student Editorial Board

FIUURJ’s student editors are a diverse collection of FIU students from the humanities, STEM, and the arts. Responsible for reviewing proposals, working alongside student writers in the development of their papers, and engaging in different projects for the journal, they best exemplify FIUURJ’s motto of “For undergraduates by undergraduates.”

Arianne Autie

Student Editor

Ariannie Autie recently earned her B.A. in English from FIU and is currently a writing tutor at FIU’s Center for Excellence in Writing. Her research interests are Rhetoric, Translingualism, Writing Center Pedagogy, and linguistic diversity in education. To further develop her academic interests she will be starting a MA/PhD program at Penn State in Fall 2023. Alongside her academic interests, Ariannie loves reading, collecting vinyl records, and traveling.

Andres Davila

Student Editor

Andres Davila is a fourth-year student majoring in Economics with a minor in Computer Science. He is originally from Miami but comes from a Colombian-Venezuelan background. Andres is interested in international economics and data science, inspired by his background and his study abroad experience in Spain. He is also interested in researching the area of healthcare economics and urban analysis, understanding more manners to how it can be more accessible and efficient beyond domestic barriers.

Alexander Eden

Student Editor

Alex is currently in his second year as a PhD student in Biology. His research interests lie in STEM and Biology education. Prior to joining FIU, he was a high school teacher in Massachusetts. He loves teaching as it gives him an opportunity to create a welcoming environment where all are celebrated. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, watching movies, and having fun. Lastly, he believes in the power of positivity and good vibes, and always makes it his mission to spread smiles. One question he can be found asking one to ponder is, "what is something good that happened to you recently?"

Amanda Vargas

Student Editor

Amanda Vargas is an undergraduate FIU student majoring in History with a minor in English. Amanda aspires to go into the field of Archeology; she’s also interested in collections curatorial and art history. She also focuses her education on European history. Amanda enjoys creating mixed media art that explores several themes, particularly themes of the human experience.

Cleyver Diaz

Student Editor

Cleyver Diaz Moralez (he/they) is a first-year Mexican-American graduate student who is currently pursuing their Master’s degree in English Literature. Outside of school, Cleyver teaches high school English. As someone who is on the spectrum, Cleyver is also focusing on expanding educational opportunities for autistic individuals. Cleyver hopes to one day live in North Carolina with his cat, Maya, where he can be found in the local thrift shop reading old books or talking to the proprietors about life and stuff.

Cynthia Jones

Student Editor

Cynthia Jones is currently a college student pursuing a Bachelor‘s degree in English. She currently works as a sound and media technician at her local church, where she volunteers regularly. She hopes to attend law school after completing her Bachelor’s degree to pursue her passion for entertainment law. She has an interest in reading novels, writing short stories, baking, and singing.

Diana Dupelord

Student Editor

Diana is a college student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with a minor in Psychology. Her goals align with the integration of serving the community and further discontinuing health disparities. She has been dedicated to helping students by creating optimization through awareness for opportunities. She serves as a Peer Mentor while advocating for diversity in classrooms. Her reasoning for teaching the world initiates breaking barriers as her purpose.

Elizabeth Urgell

Student Editor

Elizabeth is a lifelong student pursuing her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction while teaching precious pre-kindergarten littles. She dreams of teaching future educators about early childhood and special education. She hopes to graduate sometime this upcoming school year, but that all depends on the editing process and whether she can maintain her sanity through it. Elizabeth also hopes to become a famous fantasy romance writer because she apparently loves torture and the editing/writing process.

Farah El Tayar

Student Editor

Farah El Tayar, a native of Lebanon, is currently in her junior year at Florida International University. She is pursuing a double bachelor‘s degree in psychology and liberal studies within the Honors College, with a particular focus on law, business, and society. Alongside her academic commitments, Farah enjoys playing the sport she loves for the FIU women’s soccer team and the Lebanese National Team.

Hayley Serpa

Student Editor

Hayley (she/her) is a Master’s student in History and an oral history Project Coordinator with the University of Miami Libraries. Her Honors College undergraduate research on the military regime of Juan Velasco Alvardo was published in the inaugural edition of the FIU URJ. She is a ten-time intercollegiate Model United Nations (MUN) champion and spends her summers teaching MUN to K-12 students with Best Delegate. She hopes to pursure a PhD in the History of Medicine and is excited to work as a Student Editor with the FIU URJ for the upcoming edition.

Manuel Bruzos

Student Editor

Manuel earned his B.A. in Psychology and Minor in Business in Fall 2022. He works at the Center for Excellence in Writing as a writing tutor and writing assistant, and at the ReACH Lab as a post-bac research assistant and lab manager. Given his experience in writing and psychology, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with the desire to help adolescents suffering from substance use as a researcher and clinician.

Nabila Kabir

Student Editor

Nabila Kabir is a college graduate from Florida International University. She received dual B.A. degrees in English and Women’s and Gender Studies, with a Minor in Political Science. She will be attending law school in the near future and hopes to advocate for children and adults who have been victims of sex, human, and/or labor trafficking. In her free time, she loves to read psychological thrillers and bake.

Naya Quintana

Student Editor

Naya has a Master‘s Degree in English Literature from FIU, earned the Spring of 2023. In her free time she loves to write poetry and flash fiction, with a concentration on sensory stimuli and Cuban-American identity. She has been published in O’Miami‘s Waterproof Anthology, O’Miami’s Miami Grubs Zine, as well as Intersections: A Journal of Literary and Cultural Studies.

Nayeric Cairo

Student Editor

Nayeric is pursuing a B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology through the Honors College. She is involved in research at various capacities inside and outside FIU. She is part of a research lab and President of the Undergraduate Research Society on campus as well as a MARC U*Star fellow and was an intern at the NIH this past summer. Nayeric plans to earn a Ph.D. in the field and continue her journey in research. She is passionate about all writing, both academic and creative. In her free time she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and solving puzzles.

Nicholas Cabezas

Student Editor

Nick can usually be found studying; sometimes by sunlight, other times by moonlight. When he’s not, he can be found teaching college composition courses, listening to music, or playing video games. Above all else, he’s passionate about learning and aspires to be a literature professor, hoping to pursue his Ph.D. in a year or so. Nick received his B.A. in English Literature with a second major in History in the Summer of 2022. He also holds certificates in Exile Studies as well as Professional and Public Writing. Currently, he is a Master’s student in English Literature here at FIU studying nature, isolation, and technology; sometimes together, sometimes apart.

Yvonne Sadinsky

Student Editor

Yvonne is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English on the Creative Writing track and a Certificate in Public and Professional Writing at Florida International University. She is a writing assistant through the Center for Excellence in Writing, an FIU Peer Advisor, and a student assistant at the Women’s Center. Yvonne is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and Tau Sigma Phi National Honor Society. She enjoys reading, writing, and traveling.

Interested in being a Student Editor?

Being a student editor for FIUURJ allows you to gain skills in abstract review, copy-editing, leadership, and digital project management. The experience gained from FIUURJ will follow you as you apply to graduate schools and future job positions!

Students currently enrolled at FIU are allowed to apply for a position on the editorial board. The position is active for a year (e.g May 2023-2024) and is renewable. The Spring 2023 enrollment period is currently open, the deadline to submit an application is May 12th, 2023.

As a member of FIUURJ’s Student Editorial Board, you will:

Participate in board meetings and editorial training sessions (Over Zoom or in-person at the CEW in GL 125).
Review submissions to see if they are appropriate for disciplinary review.
Work with student writers in the creation, revision process, and copyediting of their manuscript for submission and publication.
Have the opportunity to engage in journal related projects such as website design, email account management, and social media marketing.

Apply for Student Editor