Makiya (Ma-kie-ya) Seminera is a reporting intern for The State’s politics and government team. She is a rising senior at the University of Florida, graduating from The Swamp in 2023. Makiya is majoring in international studies and Arabic, and minoring in mass communications. She has served as the university administration reporter and The Avenue editor for UF’s student newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator. Makiya also serves as managing editor for Florida Political Review.