Byzantium Team Editors
Karah Bengs
(she/her/hers)
Managing Editor
Senior (grad. June 2021)
Karah is an English major in her final year here at Cal Poly. Along with a degree in English, Karah is currently completing 3 minors: Environmental Studies, Art History and Ethnic Studies! After graduation Karah is still determining her path—as she has passions not only in sharing stories and storytelling, but in fighting to protect our environment. When she doesn’t have her nose in a book studying, you can find Karah making your favorite caffeinated beverages in the UU Starbucks. Outside of school, you can find Karah riding horses with the Equestrian team, hiking, trying out new recipes on her roommates, or watching movies with her family and furry family. Karah has a passion for art, traveling, and dreams of living abroad one day.
Emma Merwin
(she/her/hers)
Fiction Editor
Senior (grad. June 2021)
Emma is an English major in her fourth and final year. She is currently working towards completing a Spanish minor and a Technical and Professional Writing Certificate in her remaining time at Cal Poly. After graduation, Emma plans to pursue her dream of working as an editor for a major publishing house in New York City, eventually becoming a published author herself. Currently, Emma enjoys working at the Writing and Learning Center as both a writing and a Spanish tutor. When not tutoring, Emma can be found sipping coffee at Linnea’s or browsing the shelves of Barnes and Noble. Outside of studying, Emma likes spending time with her close friends and family, searching tide pools in Cambria, and learning new skills such as sewing and coding.
Alex Diaz-Kokaisl
(he/him/his)
Poetry Editor
Senior (grad. June 2021)
Alex is in his fourth and final year majoring in English at Cal Poly. In addition to his major, he is currently minoring in Psychology with the hopes that both goals will be fulfilled by the end of his academic career. After college, Alex plans on becoming an editor for a publishing house while working on his own writing in the interim. As with most people working as editors, he aspires to have his own work be edited in the future. At the moment, Alex works at the Writing and Learning Center as a writing tutor while also operating a very small online business buying and selling trading cards for TCGPlayer. For hobbies, Alex enjoys lifting weights five or six days a week, reading fiction and non-fiction alike, and learning how to cook tasty, protein-filled foods.
Allison Munden
(she/her/hers)
Art Director
Senior (grad. June 2021)
Allison Munden is an Art and Design major with a concentration in Graphic Design. She also has degrees in fine arts, art history, and business administration. She has extensive experience in illustration, branding and identity, logo design, as well as page layout and grid systems. Having a strong background in multiple disciplines allows her to engage with design challenges with an interconnected and cohesive approach that leads to results that are both unique and eye-catching. Over the past 10 years, she has had the pleasure of collaborating with some amazing clients and always looks forward to the diverse and exciting challenges that are present in design. When not designing, she enjoys traveling and having the opportunity to experience the inspiring richness of new places and cultures. Her other favorite activities include playing billiards, learning new skills, and reading.