By Joh Covington Skyline Editor

ALPINE – The Sul Ross Student Publications team hired student reporters, photographers, and translators in mid-October 2020 following several months of budget uncertainty. The Skyline staff held its first editorial meeting at the beginning of November.

Student Publications is comprised of The Skyline newspaper and The Sage literary magazine. Students are responsible for reporting, writing news and editorial pieces, photography, graphic  design, and online distribution. “Our hope is to provide quality journalism to the entire Big Bend region, not just the Sul Ross community,” said Marjie Scott, Chair of the Department of Fine Arts and Communication and co-advisor for Student Publications. 

Returning to The Skyline staff this spring is Copy Chief and reporter Viviana Sanchez. Ms. Sanchez and new Skyline reporter, freshman Liam Littlefield, cover student life and politics. Stephanie Blas, Gabriella Olivas, and Anthony Quintana are all returning staffers. 

Junior English major Justice Santa Cruz joins the paper this year as reporter and photographer. English graduate student Kiahna Garcia covers the Covid-19, health, and mental health beat. Art history major Callie Hennessy joins as staff photographer and associate graphic designer.

The Skyline administrator Amy McFerrin is piloting a University and local event calendar. If you are a local business and you have upcoming events to share, send info to amy.mcferrin@sulross.edu.

The Skyline is especially thrilled to welcome veteran journalist and Pulitzer Prize nominee Sid Balman, Jr. Hailing from Washington, D.C. Balman teaches public relations and journalism courses at Sul Ross and shares Student Publication advising duties with Prof. Scott and Dr. Laura Payne, Chair of the Department of Languages and Literature and Dean of Graduate Studies. 

“Our vision here at The Skyline is to bring light to the issues that impact the Sul Ross community through the transparent, independent, fair and balanced reporting of news and opinion” said Balman. 

“Now that Spring is here, we are ready to hit the ground running,” said Dr. Payne. “Our first issue will be released before the end of January.” 

If you are a student interested in working at The Skyline, click here to apply.