Mark Smith and Arielle Moncure have been chosen to lead the Optimist and Morris & Mitchell for the 2012-13 school year.

JMC Network advisers and university administrators chose Smith, sophomore convergence journalism major from Powhatan, Va., to be editor-in-chief of the Optimist. He has worked for the student-run paper since February of last year and served as managing editor since August.

“A couple months after working as a sports writer I accepted the position of managing editor,” Smith said. “I didn’t have any experience in page design or news but it worked out well.”

Smith said he learned much of the design aspect from Hannah Barnes, senior graphic design major from El Paso and current editor in chief of the Optimist.

“Hannah is very good at design,” Smith said. “We worked well together because I’m more journalism based. I’ve learned a lot about design from her which will help me next year.”

One change Smith would like to incorporate next year deals with online content.

“A change you can count on next year is news being put online faster,” he said. “I would also like to further converge and integrate different areas of the newspaper and video and photos.”

Smith plans on making the newsroom more efficient.

“I want there to be more open communication between page editors, photographers, video staff and reporters so we don’t miss any opportunities.”

Moncure, junior Ad/PR and psychology major from Leawood, Kan., was selected as group account director for Morris & Mitchell, the student-run advertising and public relations agency. Moncure said Morris & Mitchell is a great opportunity for students to get real-world experience while they are still in school.

“I’ve had a great time with it so far,” she said. “It’s very similar to a real Ad/PR agency because we’re working with various clients on campus.”

This was Moncure’s first semester with the agency.

“Morris & Mitchell is relatively new but the leadership in the past has been phenomenal,” Moncure said. “I want to keep up the high standards and make sure everyone has a good experience with it.”

For more information, visit the Optimist online at www.acuoptimist.com or Morris & Mitchell at www.morrisandmitchell.com.