From Jill Salahub, English Department Communications Coordinator: “I am so happy to introduce the English Department’s Communications Interns for Spring 2019 — Ciara Baird (who is returning for a second semester), Caitlyn BucknerBackstrom, and Frank Xia. Just like the position description states, they are creative and enthusiastic CSU students with good communication and writing skills who are super excited to help us tell the story of the English Department. If you have any ideas of what they should be writing about, events they should be attending, people they should profile, etc., please send those suggestions our way.”
Ciara Baird began studying English Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing at Colorado State in 2016. She is a Fort Collins native; however, she spent two years studying psychology at Denison University in Granville, Ohio, returning to Colorado in 2015. She will be graduating in May with her B.A. Ciara’s favorite genre to read is “Thriller” (she also enjoys a good scary movie). Outside of writing poetry, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Gus and Prince, and listening to music. Her favorite bands are The Neighbourhood and Twenty One Pilots.
“Hi! I am Yufeng Xia, and you can also call me Frank. It is easier, right? I am an English major student with a concentration in language. I am graduating this May and I will go to Columbia University to get a master’s degree in applied linguistics this September. I am super excited to be able to share interesting things that will happen in the English Department with you.
I love dogs but I am taking care of my friend’s cat right now. I like skiing, travelling and cooking. I can cook delicious and authentic Chinese food. I also like playing traditional Chinese flute which is made of bamboo. You can see me in many Chinese festival gala playing the flute. I hope I can do a good job all the time, though… By the way, nice to meet you!”
“Hello! My name is Caitlyn and I am thrilled to be one of the interns for the English department this semester! I am a third year undergraduate student working toward a duel degree in cultural anthropology and creative writing. When I’m not running around Eddy and going to class, I love to read Agatha Christie novels and poetry by R.H. Sin. If you see me around campus, feel free to stop me, I would love to chat! I will always give out (and happily take) book recommendations!
Like so many English majors that I know reading and writing are major passions of mine and I live by the quote from Benjamin Franklin, ‘Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.’ I am so excited to be writing for you all and please reach out if there is a story you would like us to write about!”