The Optimist, like many student groups on campus, reinvents itself every year as staff members graduate and new students join. In many ways, the editor in chief is the most integral staff member because he or she coordinates the rest of the staff and guides the team. Linda Bailey, junior journalism major from Borger, will take on this role beginning this fall.
“I want to put out a quality paper like we have all the years I’ve been here,” Bailey said. “I want to keep the level of quality and improve on that.”
Bailey said she hopes this job will show her what she really wants to do with her life.
“I realized it was a great opportunity,” she said. “I know Ill learn a lot, and I don’t think the things I will learn here I could learn anywhere else.”
Bailey began writing for the Optimist two years ago and worked on staff this year as the opinion page editor. Kenneth Pybus, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication, said he believes Linda is well-qualified for the position.
“We are generally looking at folks who are on staff and have some experience and have some leadership abilities and have some vision for where student media ought to go, and Linda was the best fit for that,” Pybus said.
As editor in chief, Bailey will be in charge not only of the print edition but also the online edition and any video news content the JMC Network may produce.
With the integration of the iPhone and now the iPad, Bailey and the rest of the Optimist staff will face new challenges in the coming year. She hopes to focus on shifting the way the staff views the paper.
“We will be changing our mindset from print publication first, online later, to online as soon as we can,” she said.
Due to the evolving nature of ACU’s student media, the JMC Network is looking for students with a variety of talents to fill open staff positions. Bailey says she isn’t necessarily looking for staff members with experience but rather with an interest in journalism and a willingness to learn from professors and peers.
Students who are interested in applying can find an application online at drop.io/jmcnetwork.
