About Us

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