As I begin a new semester with three editors in training and seven reporters, I have reflected on the goals that I have developed for the remainder of my time as editor-in-chief of The Lion’s Roar. The largest goal remains centered around the legacy that I hope to leave behind.
The Lion’s Roar has been my home for three years. I am thankful to have acquired a keen eye for photography and layout, interview skills, tremendous networking opportunities and the development of a second family. When I exit as editor-in-chief in the upcoming summer, if all goes as planned, I will have completed 29 issues.
That astounding amount of work would not have been possible without a staff that willingly took assignments, rewrote or reshot them upon request and participated in a grueling production schedule that challenged their capabilities as reporters and students. I am proud of the commitments that they have made alongside me.
Although anyone who has ever worked in The Lion’s Roar can attest to the hard work that the staff has done, it is apparent within five minutes of being around the staff that we have one of the best jobs ever. Working at a publication where laughter and sarcasm are among the daily rituals just as much as fact checking has helped us to create a fun, safe and positive working environment.
My goals prior to becoming editor-in-chief for the paper were quite simple: I wanted to create connections with readers that spun into conversations whether they were positive or negative. Either way, you voiced your opinions, and I heard them loud and clear. I wanted to create a process that allowed more organization for our print and online content. I met both goals.
I asked myself, ‘How do you want people to remember you when you are no longer here?’ The answer was quite simple. I wanted to be remembered for facilitating the completion of abstract and physical goals within the culture of the paper.
My biggest goal and task that I hoped to accomplish involved the moral ground that I expected reporters to stand on. I wanted to create an environment for confident, knowledgeable, open-minded and kind reporters to co-exist in and flourish within.
I truly hope that people can recall three things about my performance as an editor: my kindness, my intelligence and my unwavering pride in the publications that my staff and I have created.