When I arrived at SMU in August 2022, I was a nervous freshman from Pennsylvania entering a new city and new campus to call home. I worried about where I would find belonging, especially as a student of color, and now, I am happy to say I found a home within The Daily Campus after working as both a contributor and staff member for two and a half years.
After contributing my articles to The DC during my sophomore year in fall 2023, I was invited by our faculty advisor, Jacqueline Fellows, to join The DC’s editorial class. Entering SMU, I was dead set on broadcast journalism. I was a bit surprised but thought, ‘Why not?’
Starting in spring 2024, my first semester as an editor, The DC has strengthened my skills as a journalist, challenged me, taught me to think on my feet and given me a love for digital and print storytelling (but don’t worry, my broadcast love is still there!)
Who knew I would go on to interview Mitt Romney, talking about his presidential campaign and time in the U.S. Senate, break news regarding the law school that would get picked up by major Dallas outlets or just simply lead the newsroom. The role of editor-in-chief was never one I sought out. If you told my freshman year self I would go on to hold this role, I wouldn’t have believed it, but it has been a tremendous honor of my college experience to lead this organization.
It’s a role that truly is a full-time job in addition to schoolwork. Sometimes you have to walk around campus at midnight reporting breaking news and wake up at 6 a.m. with four hours of sleep to stake out SMU PD. Or you might have to edit eight stories in a day when you have a big project due. But it taught me that hard work and passion can serve you well in anything you can do.
I have gained many best friends through working late nights in the newsroom, writing and editing, running around campus delivering print editions and hitting up Homebar and Banditos for debrief sessions. The reporters and editors on staff with The DC are truly the hardest-working people I know on campus, who work from early mornings to late nights delivering you, the SMU community, the news you need to know. Thank you to all of you who have worked in the newsroom across this academic year. Without you, there wouldn’t be a newsroom!
Thank you to those who have come before me on The DC and have served as role models to me through the years, like Ceara Johnson, Elizabeth Guevara and Ellis Rold. A special shoutout to Katie Bergelin, 2024-25 editor-in-chief, who is not only an incredible journalist but a kind friend who passed the torch with grace.
Thank you to Professor Fellows for believing in our newsroom with so much dedication and support. The DC wouldn’t be what it is today without you! Your guidance and care are appreciated more than I can express in words. It’s been an honor to work so closely with you this year, but I am sure you will be happy to not receive late-night news-related texts from me anymore!
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to you, our readership. It’s been a pleasure to serve you. The engagement The Daily Campus has seen this year has been unlike any year I’ve seen. We’ve seen tremendous growth with our Instagram following, and we’ve seen our print newsstands around campus “sell out” over both semesters. Whether you read stories, watched our Instagram Reels or just liked a post, thank you for your support of student journalism.
The Daily Campus is much more than a newsroom. It’s my home on campus that I am quite sad to leave behind. I have loved serving the SMU community with accurate and informative student journalism, and though my time at SMU is ending, The Daily Campus will continue serving you with passion and intention.
And don’t worry, the journalism grind is far from over! In July, I will be starting in a magazine, news and digital journalism master’s program at Syracuse University on my path to becoming a political and investigative journalist. I’m thankful to SMU for preparing me for the journey ahead. Here’s to the stories lying ahead waiting to be told!
All the best,
Melanie Jackson
2025-26 Editor-in-Chief
