Argomenti trattati
The morning I met Ross Lynch at Seton Hall still feels vivid: a campus interviewer talking to a recognizable face, and a conversation that turned toward a small accessory I wore. My chunky silver “S” necklace drew his curiosity when he asked if the letter stood for The Setonian. I explained it was my initial, but the exchange quietly revealed how a simple token can carry layered meaning. That S became a shorthand for the community and the work that reshaped a portion of my college life.
My route to that newsroom moment wasn’t linear. I began at Temple University, where early reporting assignments in the features section of The Temple News helped me find a voice and form lasting friendships. In fall 2026 I transferred to Seton Hall University, guided by mentors like Dr. Matthew Pressman, who encouraged me to try out for The Setonian. I joined as a news copy editor, a role that offered behind-the-scenes learning and a way to plug into a new campus rhythm.
Joining The Setonian and early development
Walking into the newsroom felt like stepping into a new ecosystem: desks, deadlines and people who cared about accuracy and narrative. As an incoming contributor and legacy student, I had a quiet commitment to leave something constructive behind. I quickly realized the table where we edited pages was also where a community formed. Those colleagues became close friends, and working late nights editing copy or pitching headlines turned into a shared project of improvement rather than just tasks on a rota.
Moving into leadership and pushing change
After several months I was promoted to assistant news editor, a moment that shifted how I saw my role. Instead of simply processing copy, I began proposing structural changes: a redesigned social media template to create visual consistency, story ideas aimed at underreported campus experiences and a sharper focus on audience habits. Introducing changes meant persuading peers and testing ideas in real time. Incremental wins — better engagement, clearer presentation — reinforced that small editorial pivots could alter how readers interacted with our coverage.
Field reporting and rapid response
Part of the transformation involved strengthening our on-the-ground reporting. When a protest or spontaneous event unfolded on campus, I made a point of being first to arrive, gathering quotes and context to produce quick yet accurate stories. That approach was about more than speed; it emphasized reliable journalism under pressure. My colleagues would joke, “There’s Sofia — give her five minutes,” but the practice helped The Setonian deliver timely, credible updates and showcased the newsroom’s trust in flexible, decisive reporting.
Collaborative leadership with Dominique Mercadante
Perhaps the most defining phase came when I worked alongside Dominique Mercadante. What began as a friendship evolved into a professional partnership: Dominique as editor-in-chief and I as managing editor. Together we concentrated on hiring new voices, expanding multimedia storytelling and reinforcing our presence on platforms where students consumed news. We guided an intentional growth strategy that resulted in more than 2,000 Instagram followers, yes, but also deeper collaboration across writers, designers and multimedia contributors.
Evolving the newsroom culture
Our leadership style was rooted in constant challenge and refinement. We questioned legacy workflows, encouraged experimental formats and pushed for cross-training so staffers could handle video, social and longform. That internal development paid off: people felt empowered to pitch bolder ideas, and the publication matured into a more resilient outlet. The result was a newsroom that did not merely keep publishing; it evolved its identity and practices to better reflect the campus it served.
What the silver S now means
Looking back, the small silver S is more than a personal initial. It now stands for a network of relationships, the accumulation of editorial risks we took and a tangible legacy at The Setonian. Whether covering protests, redesigning visual templates, or mentoring new reporters, I tried to leave the newsroom in a stronger place than I found it. As I consider what comes next, my aim remains the same: to keep pushing myself and the teams I join toward purposeful, accountable storytelling. For readers who want to reach out, I can be contacted at [email protected].