by Jacob Fuhrer |
University President Fr. Mark Poorman has appointed Malika Andrews editor-in-chief of The Beacon for the 2016-17 academic year, when it will become an all-digital publication.
Andrews, who is now sports editor, has plans for new video content as well as an improved experience on The Beacon mobile app.
“We have a really skilled team that I think is excited about digital media and I’m excited to see their visions as well as mine be solidified,” Andrews said.
But Andrews, 21, isn’t waiting to bring a digital mindset to the newsroom. The junior communication studies major began a sports video podcast with sports reporter Ben Arthur last fall, and has plans to launch a digital Beacon newsletter later this year.
Andrews, who is from Oakland, California, covers the Portland Trailblazers for the Associated Press, in addition to her Beacon duties. Last summer, she interned at KOIN 6 News, the CBS affiliate in Portland.
“I try to take a lesson from every place I’ve worked, so with AP it’s hitting deadlines and keeping quality high,” Andrews said. “With KOIN, it was the importance of connecting with viewers in video and online. All of these things are priorities for The Beacon next year.”
Recently, Andrews was one of the 12 student journalists from across the country selected by the Sports Journalism Institute for an intensive summer training program that will place Andrews in an internship at the Denver Post.
Andrews has also won several journalism awards, including national recognition from the Associated Collegiate Press for her profile of athlete Korey Thieleke. She currently is awaiting word from the Roy W. Howard National Collegiate Reporting Competition, for which she is a finalist.
As part of The Beacon application process, Andrews was interviewed by faculty and staff on the Presidential Advisory Committee on Student Media, led by Fr. Pat Hannon. The panel recommended Andrews to Poorman, who affirmed the decision.
“She’s a talented, thoughtful, dynamic leader who will guide The Beacon well as the paper moves to all-digital,” Hannon said.
In her first act as editor-in-chief, Andrews promoted current News Editor Clare Duffy to the newly created position of executive editor of news and digital development starting in the fall.
Andrews will succeed Katie Dunn, who graduates in May.
“I think that Malika’s going to do a really great job.” Dunn said. “She has a good eye for what works online and how to draw people in that way.”
Jacob Fuhrer is a reporter for The Beacon. He can be reached at fuhrer17@up.edu or on Twitter @jacobfuhrer.
