Officers

Emma Ward is a second-year M.A. student in Translation, specializing in Japanese-English translation with a secondary focus on Russian. She earned her bachelor's degree in Japanese Translation & Interpretation from Murray State University in her home state of Kentucky, and studied internationally at Doshisha University in Kyoto. She currently serves as a graduate consultant at KSU’s Writing Commons, and as an associate terminologist with TransPerfect. Her academic interests include translation studies, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, and second language acquisition. After completing her master's degree, Emma plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Linguistics and continue researching language, culture, and community connections while supporting language learners and translators.

Kristina Filatova is a second-year student in the M.A. in Translation and M.B.A. programs, where she focuses on Russian-English translation, international business, and professional communication. Her academic interests include translation, interpreting, terminology, localization, international business, finance, and cross-cultural communication. She has also completed additional professional training in simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. She is particularly interested in the role of translation in international organizations, global commerce, and cross-cultural communication. Her professional goal is to support accurate and culturally informed communication between Russian- and English-speaking communities while continuing to develop expertise in translation, interpreting, and international business.

Mario Nájera Corona is a dual M.B.A-Translation program student, Spanish concentration, at Kent State University. He is the Co-Chair of Professional Events for KentLingua and is also a graduate assistant in Elementary Spanish at KSU. He is originally from Mexico City, Mexico, where he received his B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and a Diploma in Translation of Specialized Texts. He has been a freelance translator, editor, and proofreader, and he wants to keep growing professionally in video game localization and translation.

Erina Putman is a second-year M.A. student in Translation Studies with a language focus in Japanese. They graduated with their Bachelor's in Studio Art, minoring in Japanese. Since childhood, they've had experience with interpreting between their English and Japanese-speaking family members. Erina's interests include learning about nature, reading, playing the violin, and arts and crafts.

Ada Martin is a second-year student pursuing an M.A. in Japanese translation. She holds a B.A. in Japanese Studies and a minor in environmental science from Willamette University and has studied at Tokyo International University in Japan. Ada seeks to combine her passions for sustainability and language by serving as a translator for Japanese environmental scientists. It is her greatest hope that her translations bridge linguistic and cultural gaps, encouraging global cooperation and environmental action. In her free time, she is most often found spending time with her cats, taking walks, or playing board games with friends.

Mohammad Bani Yaseen is a second-year graduate student from Jordan pursuing an M.A. in Translation Studies at Kent State University. He earned his B.A. in Translation Studies from Yarmouk University, Jordan. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, watching soccer, and playing on the field.