Photo by Robert Hall, courtesy of Oakland University

I first joined The Oakland Post during the winter semester of my freshman year here at Oakland University. 

I had spent the duration of my first semester trailing behind the paper cart of my now best friend, a newly hired Post distributor, who let me go on her routes with her so we could talk about unimportant things and I could hang out in the office without actually being on staff.

After befriending some posties and reluctantly revealing that I did love writing, I was urged to apply to be a reporter so I could “actually get paid for being around.”

It was all I heard every time I stopped by, and yet somehow I found the fall semester over and myself unpaid, uncommitted and unsure if I took myself seriously enough to be a “real writer.”

What truly made me take the leap to apply was past Content Editor Lauren Reid. 

Lauren was someone who readily expressed this unbridled faith in me, even when it felt completely unfounded. I had never even written in a journalistic style before, and yet Lauren was sure that just the way I passionately talked about things was a signal that I had a storytelling voice that could flourish on a page.

I was initially hired as a features reporter, but was soon asked to be a reporter for the newly implemented arts section — a chance I excitedly jumped at. 

The arts section is where I truly found my groove — and my voice — as a writer. I had the unique experience of being afforded such creative freedom to write stories not only pertaining to OU’s campus, but the culture of the world at large.

I was promoted to arts editor during the summer before my junior year, and got my first real taste of leadership at The Oakland Post. In my new role, I found myself yearning to create those close connections I had felt with past posties with my new reporters, and worked to make sure that I was giving the same support that I was so lucky to receive.

My time at The Oakland Post has truly informed my academic path, the student organizations I have been a part of, my hopes for my future career and — most of all — how I view myself. 

From taking on the role of vice president of OU’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) to helping found OU’s first fashion magazine, BeGolden, traces of The Oakland Post exist in everything that I do.

So, after reflecting on all that The Oakland Post has given me, I feel an overwhelming desire to pay it forward in my new role as editor-in-chief.

I want to set The Oakland Post up with a collaborative team and an inviting environment that will prepare the publication for the future, and ensure that its legacy continues strong for all those who will one day discover themselves through it.

A touchstone that I always tend to go back to regarding leadership is a quote Olivia Wilde once said about the job of a film director from the series “Screen Stories.”

“The job is to set the tone and to hire everyone and to delegate well and to be a leader and to communicate well. It is not your job to have every best idea, it is not your job to control everyone and make them feel less important than you and it is not your job to singularly inherit the glory. It is important for directors to talk about everyone who contributes to the process. It doesn’t make you less impressive or powerful that you had a team.”

So, as much as this is a new “era” at The Oakland Post, I am immensely aware of how much bigger this is than just me, and am beyond honored to join the ranks of past editors-in-chief of the publication.

I am so thankful to have the support of The Oakland Post alums, advisers and staff, and hope to do them proud as the summer winds down and we embark on a new school year — starting with volume 50.