People
Toby Altman
Director Biography
Laurie Hollinger
Assistant Director Biography
Anita Skeen
Founding Director Biography
Student Interns
The Center for Poetry depends on the work of our talented and enthusiastic student interns to carry out our mission.
Amaya Aten
Wheelbarrow Books
Amaya Aten is a senior pursuing a dual degree in Comparative Cultures & Politics and Arts & Humanities with a minor in Political Economy. Initially from Ferndale, Michigan, Amaya loved the arts. They were embedded within her childhood, narrating short stories, poems, and her imagination’s contents for her mother to transcribe before she was literate. Amaya is ecstatic to intern with the Center for Poetry and work with Wheelbarrow Books again to spread the power of poetry.
Chase Jerome-Davis
Center for Poetry
Chase Jerome-Davis is a senior majoring in the Residential College of the Arts and Humanities with a minor in American Indian and Indigenous Studies. Chase spent his youth living in Belcourt, North Dakota on the Turtle Mountain Reservation and is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Active in the MSU Indigenous community, Chase holds an elected position on the North American Indigenous Student Organization. In his free time, Chase likes to write poetry and the occasional short story. Chase is excited to share his passion for poetry and community engagement.
Madison Stark
Center for Poetry
Madison Stark is a 20-year-old junior, majoring in Arts & Humanities and Digital Storytelling. She grew up around the suburbs of Detroit and always loved the art and culture hub there. She loves to read, write (stories, poetry and films), play around with her Canon camera, direct, act, play guitar, create zines, and sing her heart out! She’s so excited to work at the Center for Poetry again this year, and to share some amazing poets and art with you guys.
Jo Troxell
Center for Poetry
Jo Troxell is a senior majoring in the Residential College of Arts and Humanities (RCAH) with dual minors in American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS) and Writing. She is originally from Escanaba, Michigan, and is a member of the Hannahville Indian Potawatomi Community. Outside of her academics, she is actively involved with the Native community on MSU’s campus and holds leadership positions on the North American Indigenous Student Organization (NAISO) executive board and the connected Powwow Planning Board. As an intern, she is grateful for the opportunity to explore her love for poetry and writing within the RCAH Center for Poetry community.