I may have started college as a business major, but I ended so much more than one. 

In 2022, I was invited to a Valentine’s Day party that the Daily Egyptian was hosting for their employees. Since I was a part of Adlab I was asked if I wanted to go, so I decided to. 

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At the party, I talked to the design chief at the time, Dustin Clark, and I later landed the job. I hadn’t taken an art class since sixth grade and here I was just finishing my first art class since then, signing up for my first graphic design job. 

The learning curve was overwhelming. The class I was in, communication design, helped me get a feel for what a job would be like — but on steroids, as I was learning from class and the job simultaneously. Last summer, I had an internship with a logistics company where I got to apply a lot of the skills I learned from class to the job within a reasonable time frame. That was much more manageable, but I also learned how to adapt quickly each week from new ideas I have learned.  

My hard work paid off and at the start of 2023, I became design chief. 

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I love my marketing classes and value everything that I have learned from them. I would like to thank Dr. Nwamaka Anaza, Dr. William Mishk, Dr. Sevincgul Ulu, Terry Clark and my many other professors.

Some of the projects were difficult, especially the marketing strategy project. I had never felt more burnt out than during that project. I don’t regret pursuing marketing and if I could start from day one, I wouldn’t change anything. 

Journalism was something that was placed in my lap, an opportunity that I didn’t know where it would lead me. Once I became an editor, I had to start learning about AP style and editing photos. 

My Adobe skills went from something to everything. Now, I am teaching others how to use the program.

In April 2024, many of the photojournalism students got to go to Alto Pass and Cobden working closely with professionals and creating a visual story. Last semester, I worked with Julia Rendleman to create a 76-page magazine showcasing their photos. In the creation of this book, I became jealous. I knew this was something that I wanted to do. 

I signed up for a photography class and then signed up for another and just had a front-page photo in the last edition of the DE. 

Thank you, Julia, for giving me the opportunity to create the magazine. It was a lot of work, especially with my workload last semester, but was very much worth it in the end. 

I recently had an interview for a marketing internship that I got that had a lot of journalism-based questions and requirements. If I did not have my current background, I would not have been able to get the job. 

Molly Parker convinced me to sign up for a journalism class for my last semester. I met none of the required courses beforehand and while that was a real challenge, It pushed me out of my comfort zone as I did eight interviews for my final story, and it made me a better writer. 

I could not have done all this without my friends. Here is a little note for each of my friends:

• Brandyn Wilcoxen – We used to talk in the office for hours and you would sit and listen and add your feedback. A couple of days ago you said you are my therapist which I definitely agree with. You are an amazing therapist, I mean writer. Your headlines are always great and I could not have placed first for ICPA without your headline skills. Finally, “you’re the best.” 
• Dominique Martinez-Powell – You and Lylee and some of the best photographers that I know. I think adding journalism as a second major was a great move as I see how much you love it. When I first started at the DE, I was really self-conscious about my design skills. You are one of the reasons I ended up staying after my first year. With your knowledge of both design and photography it was great to have someone to talk to and help improve my skills. 
• Lylee Gibbs – Sitting in a beginners photography class was not something I expected but it was and is like sitting next to a legend. I unfortunately or fortunately am competitive and pushed myself to be as good as you which I am still not. It did allow me to grow much quicker than I would have had you not been in those classes. You are an amazing editor-in-chief and I am excited for what your future holds and for your future as editor-in-chief. I am so glad that you are going to get a few days off once the semester is over and I hope you are not working on a different project but take the time to relax. 
• Enan Chediak – Without you, all the photos in the paper would be muddy each week. When I first met you, you were very quiet and didn’t open up too much, but you went from quiet to a diva. You may not know where you are going yet but I know it is going to get some really cool photography job. Your photography skills as well as your editing skills are crazy high. I also know that you are going to continue to be a diva. 
• Carly Gist – You are going to kick-ass as editor-in-chief next spring. Your stories are so good and I have never heard of a college student getting a freelance gig with the New York Times especially as a sophomore. You have allowed me to set goals towards opportunities that I didn’t even know were possible. We also should go to levels together sometime. 
• Alee Quick – I think it is crazy how we were in the same room in 2023 on halloween week and you would end up being my boss. To have someone who is so involved with all the students working at the DE. It has made my job so much easier which I definitely needed for my senior year. This year has been a little spontaneous with the different special editions but I feel so much more confident in my work and the paper with you as the faculty managing editor. 
• My Designers – Part of me is sad to be leaving my role as design chief. I may not be the best illustrator but I hope that I have taught you all InDesign and the other adobe programs well. Every Sunday has been a great time working with you all. We all have different majors but I hope that you find value in the position as much as I did. 
• Aaron Davis – I know that we started dating after I got my job but you consistently pick the paper each week and look for my designs and work. You gave me feedback on illustrations and discredited yourself on critiques but they helped me look at the design in a different view and I thank you for that. These may seem like small things but they mean a lot to me. I love you. 

This is the part where I am supposed to be funny and bittersweet as I say goodbye. And to that I say I will see you next year as a graduate student. 

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