As part of Ball State University's award-winning College of Communication, Information, and Media, Byte is a student-run, multimedia coalition operating out of Ball State University's Unified Media Lab. Byte is dedicated to providing the best in entertainment and pop culture-related content. Byte achieves this excellence in the form of regularly produced news, reviews, features, graphics, podcasts, and videos. Many members of the Byte staff have received awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association's Gold Circle awards for individual podcasts, reviews, graphics, features, and opinion pieces. Byte was also a recipient of the CSPA's 2019 Silver Crown Award and CSPA's 2020 Gold Crown Award in the Digital General Magazine category.
Questions? Comments? Contact us at bsubyte@gmail.com
Rosie Mitchell is a senior majoring in journalism with a concentration in mass communication and minors in anthropology, communication studies, and history, as well as a member of the Honor's College. Rosie is currently editor-in-chief of Byte and participates in all other sections. Her favorite things about Byte are the community within the organization and the high level of collaboration. Outside of Byte, Rosie is involved in Housing and Residence Life, writes for NuMedia Marketing, and enjoys playing D&D. After graduation, Rosie plans to work as a digital content strategist and copywriter for a company.
Aaron Picklesimer is a fourth-year creative writing major with a minor in film screenwriting. Aaron is Byte’s current managing editor and a features/reviews section member. His favorite thing about Byte is the community and fun nature of what Byte does. Outside of Byte, Aaron enjoys playing D&D and other video games, as well as playing the guitar. After graduation, Aaron plans to become a fantasy author like J.R.R Tolkien or Brandon Sanderson.
Julie Creech is a senior English major with a concentration in creative writing and minors in marketing and Spanish. She is also a part of the Honors College. Julie is currently Byte’s lead copy editor. Her favorite things about Byte are the community within the organization and the enthusiasm of the staff toward creating content. Outside of Byte, Julie is the website design lead, prose editor for The Broken Plate, a copy editor for Stance, and a guard at the David Owsley Museum of Art. Her hobbies include crafting, reading, writing, and playing video games. After graduation, Julie plans to pursue a career in editing and publishing literature.
Sam is a junior media major with a concentration in film and media studies and minors in journalistic storytelling and strategic communications. Sam is currently Byte’s associate copy editor but also writes for the reviews and features section of Byte. Outside of Byte, Sam loves to crochet, play Stardew Valley, make iced coffee, and listen to music… which mostly consists of Taylor Swift. Sam’s favorite part about Byte is getting to turn their passion for pop culture and media into a talking point online, which is what Sam hopes to keep doing after graduation.
Annika Sharlow is a senior double majoring in Strategic Communication: Advertising and Public Relations, a part of the Honor's College, and minoring in Digital Media. Annika is Byte’s senior social media editor as well as a member of other sections. Her favorite part of Byte is the sense of community and the opportunities to do interesting things. Outside of Byte, Annika is involved with the History Club, News & Notes, and the Social Dance Society. She is a communications intern for the Ball State College of Sciences and Humanities. After graduation, she hopes to work in non-profit or governmental communications.
Willow Emig is a sophomore double majoring in Sociology: Diversity and Women’s & Gender Studies with minors in American Sign Language and African American Studies. Willow is currently Byte’s senior reviews and features editor, and they are also involved in the social media and video sections. Their favorite parts of Byte are the strong community and the opportunity to learn valuable new skills. Outside of Byte, Willow works as a student secretary for the Political Science Department, is involved in Feminists for Action, and is assisting in editing the Teaching Sociology journal. Their hobbies include reading, writing, drawing, listening/playing music, and watching movies/TV. After graduation, Willow plans to attend law school with the hope of becoming a civil rights lawyer.
Ian Case is a junior Media Production student minoring in film and screenwriting. Aside from being Byte’s associate reviews editor, he is also a member of the videos section and is involved with the student-run radio station, WCRD. Ian holds a deep appreciation for music, movies, television, and video games. After graduation, Ian plans to work in audio production.
Mason Mundy is a sophomore Media with a concentration in production and Aquatics double major. Mason is currently Byte’s senior photo, video, and podcast editor. He also writes articles for features and reviews. His favorite part of Byte is the community built here and the diversity in people and interests. Outside of Byte, Mason is a lifeguard at Ball State, the president of the water polo club at Ball State, and the middle school swim coach for Burris Laboratory Schools. His hobbies include swimming, pop music, trading card games, and video games. After graduation, Mason hopes to either own his aquatic facility or write and film stories for a local news station.
