Staff

Come by the office and find one of these faces or email us

David Bakhshaee
Position: Editor in Chief
E-mail: editorinchief@maceandcrown.com
Major: Political Science with a minor in Public Administration
Class rank: Graduate
Hometown: Worcester, MA
Interests: Politics, reading, writing, going to the beach, working and listening to music.

About me: I’m 21 years old and a senior here at ODU. I love traveling and making money. I am currently the Treasurer for the Student Government Association and plan on attending graduate school here at ODU and earn my Masters of Public Administration. I have worked at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott as a valet driver since the summer of 2008.

Jessica Starr
Position: Copy Editor
E-mail: copy@maceandcrown.com
Major: English with an emphasis in Professional Writing
Class rank: Junior
Hometown: Centreville, VA
Interests: Listening to music, watching tv, reading, and editing my friends stories

About me: I graduated from Centreville High School in 2009 and came to ODU with a very firm idea of what I wanted to do with my life. And then it changed. Twice. Finally, I have settled on being an English major, but even within that I am not quite sure what I want to do yet. I worked for the Mace and Crown for two semesters before becoming Copy Editor, one as Assistant News Editor and one as Assistant Copy Editor. At the moment, I am just enjoying being at school and hanging out with my friends. I take things one day at a time, because I don’t want to miss out on any adventures.

Justin Brown
Position: News Editor
E-mail: news@maceandcrown.com
Major: Communications Major with an English Minor
Class Rank: Senior
Hometown: Centreville, VA
About me: I love to play and talk sports. I have a sports show on WODU and have been writing for the Mace for three years. I work hard for this university and hope that one day it will lead to success.

Alyssa Narvell
Position: Arts and Entertainment Editor
E-mail: artsandentertainment@maceandcrown.com
Major: Journalism
Class rank: Junior
Hometown: Prince Frederick, Maryland
Interests: My passion is writing and I crave to learn new things. I love to travel and have to listen to music at least 10 times a day. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family, going to concerts, and eating sushi and Skinny Dip.

About me: I am originally from a small county in Southern Maryland, which I have lived in all of my life. I arrived at Old Dominion back in 2009 and started writing for the Mace and Crown in late 2010. I aspire to eventually land my dream job with National Geographic and be able to concentrate on travel writing. I am a sister of the Delta Zeta sorority, and have been exposed to many great opportunities throughout my collegiate career thus far.

Matthew McCracken
Position: Sports Editor
E-mail: sports@maceandcrown.com
Major: Communications with a concentration in Mass Media and Journalism
Class rank: Senior
Hometown: Woodbridge, VA
Interests: Sports, writing, working out, watching Sports Center, listening to music, and having a good time.

About me: I’m 21 years old and a senior here at ODU. I am graduating in May, and hope to become a sports writer for a professional publication in Northern Virginia. My dream in life is to make it to ESPN and run Sports Center. I watch all kind of sports, and am a fan of every Washington D.C. team you can think of. I do a sports radio show on WODU called “The Noise” with Justin Brown, Jake Ullrich, Ben Decowski, and Christian Ernst. Read the Mace and Crown, especially the Sports Section. We all work hard so that you all are updated with fresh news.

Elaina Ellis
Position: Photo Editor
E-mail: photo@maceandcrown.com
Major: Fine Arts with a concentration in Photo Media
Class Rank: Senior
Hometown: Ashburn, VA
Interests: Sports, fashion,travel, eating Chipotle, and of course photography

About me: Proud 2008 graduate of stone bridge high school. I transferred to odu in 2010 after attending two years in community college. I immediately dived into the arts program at odu with the hopes to further my passion and love for Photography. I’m down to earth and always surround myself with positive influences.

Drew Marmo
Position: Advertising Director
E-mail: advertising@maceandcrown.com
Major: Management
Class Rank: Junior
Hometown: Newport, OR
Interests: Pulling weeds from my lawn. Avoiding accidents on my commute from Newport News to ODU. Curbing my Angry Birds addiction. Wine.

About Me: One of my aspirations in life is to join a company that allows me the privilege of working 40+ hours a week on salary and contributes 1% to my retirement. I am confident a degree from ODU and an MBA (school TBD) will allow me to accomplish this. At 28, my maturity and positive outlook on life will be my biggest asset thus allowing said aspirations to become reality. You’ll see.

Megan Jefferson
Position: Design & Web Assistant
E-mail: layout@maceandcrown.com
Major: Graphic Design with a minor in Art History and Marketing
Class Rank: Senior
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Interests: Art, watching TV, eating Mexican food, and hanging out with friends

About Me: I’m starting my senior year at ODU and love going here. I switched from being a business student to being an art student my second year at ODU. I really enjoy being an art student. The classes and teachers are wonderful and you feel like part of a family. Outside of school, I work for TJ Maxx and have been for years. I plan on getting a job with them in Boston as a Graphic Designer once I graduate.

LJ Harris
Position: Web Director
E-mail: webmaster@maceandcrown.com
Major: Double – Graphic Design, Art History
Class rank: Senior
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Interests: Eating, sleeping, playing the drums, listening to music, groundbreaking technology, apple enthusiast, and tattoos.

About me: I am working constantly, with school and jobs, to one day work at a graphic design firm. I also do freelance work with graphic design and website creation.