Samantha is a second-year Master of Arts student in the Department of Art History’s Rhetoric of Art, Space, and Culture program. Her research interests include the pre-Columbian and Early Modern Americas, the history of print in the New World, and eighteenth and nineteenth century representations of the Aztec and other pre-Columbian civilizations. She is currently writing a thesis on an example of late nineteenth century Tiffany & Co. “Aztec” style silver in the permanent collection at the Dallas Museum of Art. Samantha procrastinates by cooking, exercising, watching The Walking Dead, and researching adoptable shelter dogs. She is honored to serve her peers as President of MGSC during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Mariana is a third-year PhD student in the Department of Art History and the Vice President of MGSC. Her scholarship focuses on twentieth century images of Latin America, especially those related to Brazil. Her research interests include depictions of nature, such as the Amazon, other tropical forests, and landscape in general. She is fascinated with the way technology and people are represented in the landscape. Mariana loves cooking, hiking, and looking at photographs. She also enjoys watching old TV series and listening to Car Talk. Mariana is honored to serve as the MGSC Vice-President during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Ryan Greene is pursuing a master of music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Southern Methodist University. He is also currently serving as a member of the piano faculty at Centre for Musical Minds in Frisco, TX. Ryan recently received a bachelor of music degree in Piano Performance from Butler University and served two summers as piano teaching assistant at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp. Ryan spent the summer of 2013 teaching at the SMU Institute for Young Pianists and participating in the second annual Fresh Inc Festival in the greater Chicago area. An active member of the Meadows graduate community, Ryan serves as treasurer for the Meadows Graduate Student Council. Ryan is also deeply committed to the interests college students within Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), having co-founded the Young Professionals Track at the 2013 MTNA National Conference in Anaheim, CA. Ryan will serve as chair of the track at the 2014 MTNA National Conference in Chicago, IL.

Rheagan Martin is a second-year student in Southern Methodist University’s Rhetorics of Art, Space and Culture (RASC/a) Program, focusing on 15^th and 16^th century Italian art. Rheagan is currently writing an M.A. thesis on the gold portrait medal of the formidable early modern Italian art patron Isabella d’Este, which was embellished with diamonds cut into the letters of her name. When not writing, Rheagan enjoys watching the BBC’s Sherlock or seeking out the finest Mexican food. Rheagan is excited to serve as Secretary for the Meadows Graduate Student Council and encourages graduate students throughout Meadows to participate in the Council’s activities and to propose projects for funding.

Rachel is a first-year student in the Master of Advertising program at the Temerlin Advertising Institute. She completed her undergraduate study in finance, accounting and management from University of Nottingham.Her academic and career interest is currently focused on the advertising and consumer research area. She is working as a research assistant to Dr. Hye Jin Yoon. She is also collaborating with Dr. Yoon on a research paper about household saving motives and influencing factors to household savings. She’s is honored to serve as the MGSC Public Relations Chair.