iris (n.)

  1. a flat, colored, ring-shaped membrane behind the cornea of the eye, with an adjustable circular opening (pupil) in the center.

  2. a plant with sword-shaped leaves and showy flowers, typically purple, yellow, or white.

  3. the goddess of the rainbow and the messenger of the Olympian gods.

  4. a literary magazine publishing student work at James Madison University.

Fall 2025 Iris Staff

Faculty Advisor: Erica Cavanagh

Editor-in-Chief: Lucy Sampson

Managing Editor: Michaela Powell

Assistant Editors: Josh Black and Jacob Dinman

Lead Design Editor: Matthew Antolick

Social Media Marketing Assistant: Georgia Pinkson

Design Team Members: Jo Buckley, Nhung Huynh, Alejandro Lopez, Charissa Park, Libby Pumphery, and Isabella Swatosh

Contributing Prose Editors: Anna Coffey, Alexis Crosen, Cait Emery, Charlie Filiatrault, Addison Kalina, Grace Kliewer, Sienna Lardizabal, Chapel Ormond, Cameron Parker, Ella Patterson, Ava-Grace Son, and Charlotte Steuble

Contributing Poetry Editors: Via Chapin, Alin Freitag, Maggie Goodman, AnnMarie Hall, Kayla Koldys, Emily LaBonte, Penelope Masley, Copper Muething, and Fabio Rocabado

Contributing Art Editors: Natalie León, Evita Lewis, Annabella Myers, and Makiya Williams

At Iris, we celebrate creative endeavors of all kinds. We strive to publish the best student work on campus. We publish fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual arts.

We produce two print issues a year: a fall issue in December and a spring issue in May.

Interested in joining the Iris team? Send an email of introduction to jmu.irismagazine@gmail.com and we will be in contact about the application process.