The Iowa State Daily publication board has selected Annelise Wells as the fall 2019 and spring 2020 editor in chief, and Emily Berch was selected as summer 2019 editor in chief. 

Wells and Whitney Mason presented to the board Wednesday in hopes to become the fall 2019 and spring 2020 editor in chief.

“I am pretty much speechless,” Wells said. “I am completely shocked and honored and overwhelmed with emotion. It has been an amazing year this year, and it’s awesome to see all my hard work paying off, and I just feel really excited for what’s to come.”

Wells’ presentation focused on the internal structure of the Daily, with an emphasis on defining positions and creating a digital brand.

“The media is moving toward a digital space, and I think the Daily should be moving with it, so I want to create a Daily Dose editor who focuses on curating our digital space,” Wells said.

Wells also talked about outreach, such as diversity initiatives and access.

“I want to continue our diversity initiatives and create an incentive program so that we have a welcoming work environment where people want to stay,” Wells said about retention.

Before Wells was presented her position, Berch accepted the position of summer 2019 editor in chief.

“I am really excited to work with [Wells] on the fall training and look at things I have learned over the summer and combine goals we have for the Daily to create a comprehensive, helpful, inclusive training plan for the fall-spring staff,” Berch said when explaining how she and Wells would work together within the transition process from summer to fall.

Berch’s presentation focused on human-centered journalism, with an emphasis on updating the handbook, evolving coverage and showcasing the process.

“It’s not just about how it happens, it’s about how it affects people,” Berch said when explaining why re-centering readers is important.

Berch also talked about outreach, such as re-designing the Daily Dose and tailoring content to social media.

“We need to make sure we are creating photo-journalists, not just photographers,” Berch said when explaining how photo-stories can be used more.

Mason’s presentation focused on the Daily’s internal initiatives and programs, with an emphasis on retention and leadership.

“I feel like having something to look forward to will help create a reason to stay,” Mason said when explaining why having a leadership program within the Daily would be important.

Mason also talked about outreach, such as remodeling the diversity and Voices desks and re-designing the Daily Dose.

“I would like to create a Daily Dose team with the responsibility of creating content specifically for the Dose every week,” Mason said.