The Iowa State Daily Publication Board chose Andrew Harrington to serve as the 2023-2024 editor-in-chief and Nicole Hasek to serve as the summer editor-in-chief for the Iowa State Daily.

Harrington

Going from reporting on men’s golf to managing editor, Harrington, a senior majoring in journalism and business, started reporting for the Daily in 2021 as a freshman. He climbed the ranks of the sports desk by covering Iowa State volleyball, women’s basketball, football and men’s basketball.

Harrington was promoted to managing editor in February.

As part of the application process, Harrington developed a seven-page strategic plan that outlined main areas he would like to change for the publication. Harrington’s staff would add an additional visuals editor to help with expanding on graphics and video.

Harrington’s plan also changed the special section editor, who oversees the promotional products the Daily produces, to a print editor. Harrington said he is pushing for experimenting with the print product to determine whether or not the Daily should continue with it.

“I really just want to help our reporters and our editors push through with their great content, keep improving and become the best writers they can be,” Harrington said. “Then when my time’s up, I want them to move forward and take these opportunities and help them get to the next level.”

Hasek

Hasek, a senior majoring in journalism and mass communication, served as niche editor for the 2022-2023 school year and started as a diversity reporter at the Daily. Hasek also worked as a reporter and editor at Wartburg College before she transferred to Iowa State University.

Hasek said the struggles the Daily faces do not have to do with a lack of dedication but instead with a lack of compensation. Student Government recently increased its allocation for the Iowa State Daily to allow for compensation for reporters.

Shorter breaking news shifts, increasing stipends and hiring outside of the journalism school were all focuses of Hasek’s strategic plan.

Hasek said because reporters have not been paid at the Daily, there is no incentive for students in other majors to join. Hasek also proposed assigning two reporters to breaking news shifts everyday as opposed to one.

After moving into her role, Hasek said she hopes the Daily continues to be Ames’ main source of news and potentially expand coverage to neighboring towns.

“As a dedicated and passionate journalist, I feel I’m able to lead a group of talented editors and reporters,” Hasek said. “Our newsroom is capable of greatness, and we hope to leave it there.”