Brad Hudson
Chair • Professor • Sequential Illustration • Creator of Hawk Con
Brad Hudson is a Professor and the Acting Chair for the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He has been an instructor at UMES for twenty-six years and is the creator of the Sequential Arts concentration. Mr. Hudson is a lifelong fan of comics and science fiction, and he has worked for licenses including Star Wars, The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics. He is the main creator and facilitator of Hawk Con.
Contact: bphudson@umes.edu @bradcoldstream
Elvin Hernandez
Professor • Coordinator • Graphic Design • Sequential Illustration
Dr. Elvin Hernandez has been teaching at the college level for over 18 years and is currently serving as Associate Professor of Fine Arts at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he has taught Sequential Art and Art Education courses since 2020. He has worked as a Sequential Illustrator with companies such as Topps Cards, Upper Deck, Toys R’ Us, and Focal Press and licenses such as DC Entertainment, Marvel, and Star Wars. Dr. Hernandez has been assisting in the development, promotion and coordination of Hawk Con since its inception.
Contact: eahernandez@umes.edu @eahernandez_art
Collin Byrd
Professor • Graphic Design • Tech Support
Collin “SkipperWing” Byrd is a multi-media artist and professor of the digital arts. As a professor in the Fine Arts Department, Mr. Byrd also serves as a faculty advisor to Hawk Con. Such duties involve supplemental advertisement, as well as technical support and graphics if/when necessary.
Contact: cgbyrd@umes.edu @skipperwing
Brenda Slade
Executive Administrative Assistant II • Coordinator
Ms. Brenda D. Slade, an alumna of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, has worked at UMES for twenty years, with thirteen years of experience working in the C-suite. She currently works as Executive Administrative Assistant II in the Department of Fine Arts. Ms. Slade is the brains behind all of the planning, budgeting, and coordinating of Hawk Con.
Contact: bdslade@umes.edu
Josh Shockley
Publisher • Sequential Illustration • Coordinator
Josh Shockley is an alumni of the UMES Fine Arts Department and is employed on the campus of UMES in the Sponsored Programs Office. He has over 19 years experience in independent comic book creating and self publishing, and was a co-founder of several local comic book conventions on the Eastern Shore. He currently continues to run and publish books through PLB Comics. Josh has been a part of the planning and coordinating of Hawk Con since the beginning, using his vast knowledge of the comic-book world to create a successful convention.
Contact: jlshockley1@umes.edu @joshplbcomics
Danyel Burgett
Social Media • Graphic Design • Photography
Danyel is the creative mind behind Hawk Con’s bold visual identity — blending pop art energy, fandom flair, and professional polish to make the convention come alive online and off. With a background in design, photography, and digital storytelling, she transforms marketing into an experience, bringing fans, artists, and vendors together through color, creativity, and community.
Contact: Danyel.Burgett@lf.k12.de.us
Kayla Wilkerson
Student Worker • Communications • Vendor Management
Kayla is a senior at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She is majoring in Art Education. After graduation in Spring 2026, she plans to get a Master of Fine Arts with a concentration in oil painting. This is her second year on the Hawk Con team, and she has loved every second of it! She’s enjoyed getting to know our vendors and seeing their amazing works of art.
Contact: kcwilkerson@umes.edu
Monique Pettigrew
Student Worker • Promotion • Communications
Monique is a senior at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She is majoring in Art Education. Her goal is to become an Art therapist. Monique has helped promote and prep materials for Hawk Con. She has worked to find connections through different colleges, vendors, and promoters to help make Hawk Con successful. She has valued her time working with the Department of Fine Arts and with Hawk Con, and she can’t wait to see it thrive more in the future.
Contact: mlpettigrew@umes.edu @s0upy.starz
Tatum Ayers
Student Worker • Social Media
Tatum is a senior at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She is majoring in Art Education and will be working in a public school district after graduation. She has collaborated and worked with fellow student workers and peers to make Hawk Con a successful event!
Contact: tcayers@umes.edu @tayersart
Ava Hudson
Student Worker • Graphic Design • Head of Volunteers
Ava Hudson is a senior at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She is majoring in Applied Design with a concentration in Graphic Illustration. Ava works as both a graphic designer, creating flyers and promotional materials, and as the Head of Volunteers, coordinating both staff and volunteers for the event.
Contact: akhudson@umes.edu @avakatart
Khemet Parker
Student Worker • Graphic Design • Promotion
Parker is a Senior at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He is majoring in Applied Design with a concentration in Graphic Illustration. Parker primarily works as a visual designer, creating flyers and promotional materials for the Department of Fine Arts and Hawk Con. This program has been an excellent opportunity and learning experience for him as a Graphic Illustrator.
Contact: kaparker1@umes.edu @swingthemacabre
Tyasia Bell
Student Worker • Food Truck Management
Tyasia is a junior at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She is majoring in Art Education. After she graduates, she plans on pursing a Master’s degree in Art Therapy. Her contributions to Hawk Con are being the Food Truck Manager and a host when needed.
Contact: tabell1@umes.edu
Robert “Rika” Nichols
Student Worker • Graphic Design
Rika is a sophomore at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. They are majoring in Applied Design with a concentration in Sequential Arts. Rika loves creating character art, fan art, and character designs. Their dream is to make a comic, a show, and possibly, a game with original characters. Rika was a vendor for Hawk Con 2025. This year, they have helped work with fellow student workers and peers as support in helping plan and run Hawk Con.
Contact: rjnichols@umes.edu @peppy_rika
Matthew Pattison
Graphic Design • Promotion
Matthew is a senior at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. They are majoring in Applied Design with a concentration in Sequential Arts. Matthew loves creating cartoons with his original characters and environments. Matthew helps design graphics and visual elements for the promotion of Hawk Con!
Contact: mtpattison@umes.edu @matthews_doodle
Tiso Salas
Student Worker • Graphic Design
Tiso Salas is a Sequential Arts major at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He transferred from Montgomery College to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Tiso is currently a sophomore and is expected to graduate by 2028. He will be helping out at Hawk Con with the buttons for the Spelling Bee. Tiso wants to make sure to do his best to ensure a great Hawk Con with the rest of the team!
Contact: kdsalas@umes.edu @tisosalasillustration
Amaurie Yip
Student Worker • Graphic Design
Amaurie Yip is a freshman majoring in Art Education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and will be graduating in spring 2029. She plan to use her degree for inspiring, guiding, and supporting the youth on their creative journeys. As a new member of the Art Department student staff, Amaurie is assisting with button producing for the spelling bee attendees during HawkCon !
Contact: amyip@umes.edu @xoamaurie
