About Us

Our Story

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the first issue of The Heartland Review, the official undergraduate journal of the Upper Midwest Honors Council! We are thrilled to showcase the incredible talent, creativity, and curiosity of students from across the Upper Midwest. In this edition, you will find a wide range of works that span disciplines, from the fields of literature, the sciences, the humanities, the arts, and beyond.

The Heartland Review was initiated by Dr. Melissa Berninger of the University of South Dakota. She recognized the need for a regional journal to showcase all that UMHC honors has to offer. In November of 2024, I met with Melissa Berninger, USD Honors Director, at the NCHC national conference, sparking recruitment for a production and editorial team. Since then, the team at The Heartland Review has worked collaboratively online, producing the first undergraduate journal issue for UMHC.

The authors of the published works come from several schools and states across the Upper Midwest. Whether through a research article that found inhibitory effects of an essential oil on antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a poem that captures the feeling of grief and nostalgia, or an art piece that makes you consider your relationship with a higher power, these works represent the ideas and thought-provoking perspectives of the undergraduate students in our region.

I would like to express my gratitude to all the authors, whose work continues to inspire and challenge us, as well as to the editorial and publication teams for their dedication and expertise. I am also thankful to the Upper Midwest Honors Council leadership and our faculty advisors for enthusiastically lending their advice and funds for a successful first issue of the journal. Together, we strive to create a publication that celebrates academic and creative achievements and fosters a sense of community among students from across the Upper Midwest.

Thank you for your support of The Heartland Review. We look forward to seeing how the journal takes shape from this year’s conference and beyond!

Warmest regards,

Jillian Hough

Editor-in-Chief, The Heartland Review

Meet The Team

Jillian Hough

Editor-in-Chief

Jillian is a senior Honors student majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and English at Graceland University. Jillian is the Editor-in-Chief of her university's newspaper and enjoys working as an EMT on the weekends. She plans to apply to medical school after graduation and dreams of becoming a rural OBGYN.

Abigail Stacy

Production

Abigail is a first-year Chemistry and Classical Civilization double major at Loyola University Chicago. She is a member of Restoration Club and is a designer for Loyola's Literary and Arts Magazine, Diminuendo. Outside of school, she teaches drum set lessons, visits the library, and collects stationery. Abigail plans to be an environmentalchemist after graduation.

David Nguyen

Associate Editor, Production

David is a junior currently at Grinnell College, where he is pursuing a degree in Mathematics and English after finishing his two years at the Des Moines Area Community College. He enjoys blogging, ambling around on campus, and mentoring other students as part of Grinnell's Vivero fellowship. David plans to pursue a graduate degree in either of his majors after graduation.

Sam Yusuf

Associate Editor, Production

Sam is a junior at the University of South Dakota. He studies neuroscience, while minoring in chemistry and political science. After university, Sam hopes to attend medical school.

Shriya Bandepallee

Associate Editor, Production

Shriya is an Associate Editor and part of the production team at the Heartland Review. She is a freshman Neuroscience and Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. She enjoys photography, going to the gym, and exploring new places in Chicago. She hopes to become a pediatric neurologist.

Taylor Mizon

Associate Editor, Production

Taylor Mizon is a first-year honors student at Loyola University of Chicago with a Visual Communications major and an Advertising minor. She was born and raised in Hawaii and aspires to become a Visual Design Director. She is passionate about graphic design and sewing, blending creativity and technical skills.

Akanksha Denduluri

Associate Editor

Akanksha is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying Biomedical Engineering with certificates in Biology in Engineering and Leadership. She plans to pursue a Ph.D in Biological and Chemical Engineering, focusing on sustainable chemical production. In her free time, Akanksha enjoys reading, volunteering, and doing anything outdoors!

Alexa Johnson

Associate Editor

Alexa is a fourth-year student at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She's majoring in Art and Creative Writing with a minor in Music Industries. She is involved in the Honors Beacon undergraduate journal, the Sigma Tau Delta English honors society, and is a portfolio assistant for honors students. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, playing her instruments, and listening to music. After graduation, she either plans to get a job in the graphic design/literary editing industries or to pursue a Master's degree in graphic design.

Decha Perron

Associate Editor

Decha is a second-year student at Loyola University Chicago and is double majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Global Studies. She enjoys reading, making jewelry, and trying new boba places. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology.

Gabrielle Fawcett

Associate Editor

Gabrielle Fawcett is a sophomore double major in criminal justice and theological studies at Crown College. She enjoys her time on the track team, on the student activities board, and hanging out with friends. After graduation, she plans on opening a nonprofit for at-risk, youth and kids who have been to Juvie.

Janae Scranton

Associate Editor

Janae is a freshman at Graceland University. She is double majoring in Performing Arts and Secondary Education. She enjoys being a part of theater, band, and senate. After she graduates she plans on being a high school theater teacher.

Jadyn Aldrich

Associate Editor

Jadyn is a senior communications major at Crown College with minors in English, Honors, and Christian Studies. She enjoys writing, reading, and watching shows with friends in her spare time (Psych is a favorite). She hopes to continue writing and editing after graduation!

Karoline Chidester

Associate Editor

Karoline Chidester is currently a third-year at Loyola University Chicago studying Psychology with a minor in Ethics and Moral Philosophy. She serves as the Vice President of her Residence Hall, Junior and Senior class representative for Honors Student Government, Logistics Coordinator for the Honors Mentorship Program, Campus Activities Network Representative for a Students Demand Action chapter, and is part of a student advisory council for the Partnership for College Completion. She hopes to get her Masters in Social Work and get a job within the juvenile justice system or with DCFS of Illinois.

Millie Alt

Associate Editor

Millie is a first-year Political Science major at Loyola University Chicago. She enjoys reading, creating and solving crossword puzzles, and watching Formula 1, and she plans to go to law school after graduation.

Dan Platt teaches English at Des Moines Area Community College. He has a PhD (with a focus on American Environmental Literature) from The University of Oregon. In addition to
teaching courses in composition, communication skills, and film studies, Dan advises the DMACC Ankeny campus chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Dan Platt

Faculty Advisor

Justin Winzenburg

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Justin Winzenburg is a Professor of New Testament and Director of the Honors Program at Crown College. He has a Ph.D. in New Testament from Middlesex University/London School of Theology in the UK. His expertise is in the areas of the New Testament and its Roman Imperial context as well as in New Testament hermeneutics. He recently published his first book, Ephesians and Empire, with Mohr Siebeck in their WUNT II series. Dr. Winzenburg teaches a wide range of New Testament and Honors courses. Dr. Winzenburg grew up in Hopkins MN where he became interested in sports and music at an early age. He loves riding his Himiway ebike, is an avid collector of vinyl records, enjoys playing basketball. He also enjoys spending time with his wife [Jill] and two sons [Theo (8) and Lukas (5)].

Melissa Berninger

Faculty Advisor

Melissa is the Director of the University Honors Program at the University of South Dakota, where she also serves as the coordinator for nationally competitive scholarships. She has a Master's in English from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master's in Library and Information Science with a certificate in rare books and archives from The Palmer School at Long Island University. She came to USD after over twenty years at Long Island University, where she served as the associate director and director of the first-year composition program, the Associate Director of the Honors College, and the grievance officer of the faculty union. Melissa lives in Vermillion with her husband, son, and two cats. She is active in the Rotary Club, where she is currently club president, and in several other community service organizations. She is an avid birder.