(Photo: Frances Meng-Frecker)
Why did you want to join the Highlander?
Initially, I joined the Highlander because I had been involved with the newspaper in high school. Joining the Highlander was just a natural transition into college. I joined, initially wanting to help in whatever way I could. I started out doing reporting and layout. Hayley Lokken and I did the bulk of the layout during my first year with the Highlander. By the end of that first year, I had moved into doing some editing and then was asked to take over when the previous Editor in Chief Gina Nordini graduated. So why did I join...mostly because of my passion for student journalism that was fostered in high school. Why did I stay? Because I witnessed the potential for what the Highlander could become and knew I wanted to be part of creating a sustainable, student focused publication.
Will you describe your position?
Currently, I am the Editor in Chief of the Highlander. In this position, I get to oversee a lot of the little pieces that make our whole organization successfully function. During our weekly meetings, we assign stories, and I take note of those, making sure reporters know what type of story they are writing, and when it is due. I also work closely with the photo editor, Frances Meng-Frecker, to ensure all of our stories have an accompanying photo. On the back end, once the story is finished, I have the last set of eyes on that story before I send it to the digital media editor Natalia Zreliak to post on to the website and the app. Being part of a team like the Highlander is incredibly rewarding, and it brings me joy to see writers develop and progress. One of my absolute favorite things about the job is getting to edit and give feedback to stories when reporters bring them to me for extra assistance. Helping my peers become better writers makes me indescribably fulfilled, and I am so thankful for this position to allow me to unleash that passion.
What's something that makes you unique?
Something the general populace might not know: I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Haiti over spring break as part of an Opus Prize Foundation site visit team. In October, the Opus Prize Nominees will be on campus to visit Regis. On October 11, the recipient of the 2017 Opus Prize will be announced at a formal presentation, and the student body is encouraged to attend!! For more information visit: http://www.regis.edu/About-Regis-University/Regis-University-Leadership/Office-of-the-President/Opus-Award.aspx
Samantha Jewell
Social Media Editor