Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Mustang News and checking out our September print coverage. And a special thank you for reading the news! It has been a long journey reaching this goal, and it is a privilege to write this letter to the audience that we have grown to love over the last three years. We’re excited to learn as much about as many of you as possible.
This upcoming school year, our university will face historic changes. Last year, Cal Poly made national headlines at Capitol Hill, in the swimming pool and beyond anything we could’ve predicted. This year, we can expect major changes – impending semester conversion, new modular housing, integrating with Cal Maritime – and things are coming that we can’t possibly anticipate. During times of uncertainty, we’ll bring you news that matters. We’re dedicated to bringing you ethical and accurate coverage that will make your voices heard.
We invite you to contact us regarding any questions, comments and concerns you may have about our coverage, especially areas in our coverage that you think are lacking. You may also submit a letter to the editor online during the year.
We hope you take something away from Mustang News, or that you teach us something we can implement for future issues. We loved curating this year’s first print edition for you, and hope you enjoy reading it too!
Archana Pisupati, Editor-in-Chief
If you told me that I was the editor-in-chief of Mustang News three years ago, I would have laughed and buried my head back into a story draft. When I first joined Mustang News, I had no editorial experience and vividly remember not having any idea what AP Style, the standardized writing system for journalists, was.
Hundreds of Google Docs later, I’ve learned to navigate the newsroom with my own AP (Archana Pisupati) style. I’ve worked as a breaking news reporter, data and investigations reporter and most recently, social media manager. Now, it is an unimaginable honor to lead an organization of bright and talented young journalists alongside Jeremy.
The voices that reverberate from the newsroom, our radio station KCPR and MNTV studios each contribute something inimitable to Mustang Media Group. Now more than ever, it is crucial to acknowledge that our perspectives shape the narratives we present; and nobody understands students the way other students do.
No matter what section we’re part of, MMG members are meticulous and strong-willed with a desire to change the world. Our ears are open and ready to learn, knowing every voice has something to teach us. I’m excited for us to start the conversation and for you all to continue it.
Jeremy Garza, Managing Editor
As a cocky freshman, if you told me three years ago that I would be leading Mustang News alongside Archana, I would probably say “true” while stoned in my dorm room. But, I have had many instances of doubt — in myself and in the news machine — over the years. I even dropped journalism as a major for a few quarters. Shoutout to political science, but I never dropped Mustang News.
In Mustang Media Group, I’ve worked as a news reporter, data investigator, weed columnist and DJ on KCPR. A student last quarter stopped me as I was speed walking to the newsroom from the UU to thank me for my articles on Cal Poly’s efforts to be a Hispanic Serving Institution. Others have stopped me about my local city coverage. And people, of course, talk to me about the furries.
I get a jolt of energy every time one of you approaches me saying that you saw my story. Sometimes positive and sometimes negative, but nonetheless important seeds have been planted. That feeling fuels me to do the best work I can.
As managing editor, I will work alongside editors and their staff to get you the best coverage possible. Please do not underestimate college media or young and hungry reporters. And please consume the news, national and local.
For more stories from the September print edition check out the featured print section on our website.