Photos by General Mason Starks
You’re reading Meet The Shorthorn, a series of short articles explaining our processes and providing clarity for our readers.
During the fall semester, The Shorthorn has about 40 staff members, and 10 of them are editors. The editors assign and edit content, as well as hire and manage their staff members.
Get to know the fall 2026 editor team below.
Taylor Sansom is the editor-in-chief and a criminal justice senior with a minor in social work. She manages the entire newsroom and is responsible for the publication’s content direction. In her free time, Sansom can be found flipping through a good book or spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys stargazing, listening to music and adding to her mini-figurine collection.
@ tay._.sansom | editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Leslie Orozco is the managing editor and a criminal justice and psychology senior. She helps wherever needed while managing daily production cycles, newsletters and supporting fellow section editors. In her free time, Orozco tries to enjoy some peace and quiet before needing something to do again. She also enjoys playing video games, rewatching comfort shows, reading psychological thrillers, drinking coffee and watching Formula 1.
@_.lexlie_ | managing-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Rachel Kenealey is the copy desk chief and an English senior with creative writing and technical writing minors. She leads a team of copy editors who ensure accuracy, clarity and consistency in articles before publication. She has completed editing internships with Deep Vellum Publishing and The New York Times. In her free time, she is usually reading fantasy novels or Mary Oliver poems, rewatching a sitcom or listening to a musical.
@rlkenealey | copydesk-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
James Ward is the news editor and an English senior with a business administration minor. He oversees all content across the news and life sections of the publication. Ward enjoys listening to indie music, as well as watching movies and reading novels in his free time. Ward is also an avid fan of Crystal Palace F.C. and the Tillies, the Australian women’s national soccer team.
@j.e.journalism | news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Diego Collazo is the associate news editor and a journalism junior. He helps manage the news desk alongside the news editor. In his free time, Collazo spends time with family and friends. He enjoys going out, dancing and listening to music.
@diegocllazo | news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Ty Roland is the sports editor and a broadcasting and journalism sophomore. He leads a team of reporters to produce in-depth coverage of local and on-campus athletics. Roland enjoys watching sports in his free time, particularly college football, baseball and motorsports.
@TyRoland06 | sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Ryleigh Hood is the design editor and a journalism junior. She leads a team of designers and illustrators to create visuals that complement articles and designs the look of the print edition. Hood loves indie horror and alternative music. She spends her free time combing over Five Nights at Freddy’s lore, drawing clowns and listening to Twenty One Pilots.
@melodramatictoybox | design-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Sairam Marupudi is the engagement editor and a marketing and English senior. She oversees every social media platform for The Shorthorn and its daily newsletter. Marupudi loves anything superhero or mythology related, especially if they’re together. She spends her free time catching up on her never-ending list of books to read, hyperfixating on her hobbies, stress baking and collecting Funko Pops.
@marupudisairam | engagement-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Maricela Gonzales is the multimedia editor and cinematic arts senior. She oversees a desk of creative individuals who produce visuals for the publication, including photos and videos. Gonzales loves film and music. She spends her free time with family, playing instruments and rewatching Modern Family.
@mari.gonzalessss | photo-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Noah Little is the incoming opinion editor and a history graduate student. He will write the weekly editorials and manage the Community Voices program and staff columns, giving students an opportunity to share their perspectives through The Shorthorn. Little enjoys classical and contemporary fiction. He spends his free time writing or reading.
@noahloganlittle | opinion-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu