About Us

For the sixth time in seven years, students from the University of Washington Tacoma and Moscow State University have teamed up as part of the UWT/MSU Journalism Exchange Program.

The program has its roots in very humble beginnings. In the spring of 2003, Dr. Chris Demaske and then UW Tacoma Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Director Bill Richardson, took two students to Moscow to co-produce a journalism project with the students at MSU. Thanks to the award of a Marc Lindberg Center Mobility Grant, funding was received to spend 10 days producing a 20-page newspaper insert.

The project was such a success that Professor Maria Lukina, deputy dean at MSU’s department of journalism, suggested we reproduce it in the fall on the UW Tacoma campus. And, The Journalist was born.

Students now regularly travel back and forth between Moscow and Tacoma producing media products that have ranged from newspaper inserts to stand-alone magazines to our most current endeavor, the web publication that you are currently reading. If you would like more information about the exchange program, please contact Dr. Chris Demaske at: cd2@u.washington.edu.

Staff

Oxana Andrienko (writer) is a fourth year student at Moscow State University, Faculty of Journalism. She studies PR and is interested in foreign languages, Spanish and U.K. media systems. She also likes playing the piano.

Galen Annest (writer) is a senior at the University of Washington Tacoma majoring in Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences with a concentration in communication. She specializes in media writing. Galen is interested in pursuing a career in public relations and is hoping to attend graduate school in the fall.

John Basara (web producer) is a senior at the University of Washington Tacoma majoring in Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences with a concentration in communication. His focus is in cinematic and media arts production. His hobbies include playing drums and online racing.

Dr. Chris Demaske (professor) is an associate professor of communication in the Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Program at the University of Washington Tacoma. She teaches theory-based and journalism skills courses. Her research interests include First Amendment law, feminist studies, and free press theory.

Aydrian Elliot (writer) is a junior at the University of Washington Tacoma majoring in Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences with a concentration in communication. He is interested in writing about political and social issues and hopes to start a career in public relations after graduating. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, tennis, and photography.

Julia Gilichinskaya (writer) is a fifth year student at Moscow State University, Faculty of Journalism. She studies TV journalism and her thesis is devoted to the topic ‘Contemporary mythology in Russian media.’ Her hobbies include music, cartoons and helicopters. She also makes independent movies for festivals.

Monica Jonen (writer) is a senior at the University of Washington Tacoma majoring in Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences with a concentration in communication. She is interested in writing for a nonprofit or a magazine upon graduation. She is also interested in investing in a sailboat and getting back on the Puget Sound this summer.

Amy Koenig (writer and graphics designer) is a senior at the University of Washington Tacoma in the Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences program. She is an aspiring novelist and freelance writer. She is also an addict of epiphanies which always seem to strike at the least opportune moment.

Pavel Koshkin (editor-in-chief) is a fourth year student at Moscow State University, Faculty of Journalism. He specializes in international journalism. He is interested in Russian and American cinema and music. He also likes playing the guitar.

Diana Kulchitskaya (copy editor) is a Ph.D. student at Moscow State University, Faculty of Journalism. She is interested in international journalism and foreign languages. Her thesis is devoted to the multimedia phenomenon. She would like to combine research with journalism practice.

Anna Laletina (writer and photographer) is a third year student at Moscow State University, Faculty of Journalism. She studies print media journalism and is interested in the history of cinema. Her short-term goal is to improve her German and French. Her dream is to live in a lighthouse by the ocean for one summer.

Dr. Maria Lukina (professor) is an associate professor of journalism and Deputy Dean at Moscow State University, Faculty of Journalism. She teaches basic journalism, news reporting and writing on undergraduate level, and currently is the head of a Master’s Program called “Online media.” She is the author of about 20 academic papers both in Russian and English.

Alex Newman (writer) is a senior at the University of Washington Tacoma majoring in Interdisciplinary Arts & Science with a concentration in communication. Post-graduation, she plans to write/research for a publication, sleep more, and get buff.

Marisa Petrich (writer) is a senior at the University of Washington Tacoma majoring in Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences with a concentration in communication and has thoroughly enjoyed working on this project for the third time. She hopes to pursue a career in journalism after graduating this spring.

Todd Schlaudraff (writer) is a University of Washington Tacoma alumni.

Alexander Solomonov (writer and photographer) is a second year student at Moscow State University, Faculty of Journalism. He studies international journalism and Spanish literature and culture. He is interested in photography and one day would like to become a professional photographer. He is fond of foreign languages and speaks Spanish, German, and English. He does scientific research devoted to fashion and lifestyle.

Benjamin Toombs (photographer) is a University of Washington Tacoma student.

Kimberly Wynn (editor-in-chief) is a senior at the University of Washington Tacoma majoring in Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences with a concentration in communication. She hopes to work for ESPN one day and is looking forward to getting married next year to her fiancé Danny Lewandowski Jr.