Student Media distributes copies of The Northwest Missourian student newspaper on Thursdays in the J.W. Jones Student Union as part of its weekly Student Media Day. The Student Media Board of Advisors has announced leaders of the University's varied student-led media outlets for the 2022-23 academic year. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

The Student Media Board of Advisors at Northwest Missouri State University has selected the student leaders who will lead the School of Communication and Mass Media’s award-winning program through the 2022-23 academic year.

The Northwest Missourian student newspaper, which recently was named Best in Show for institutions with enrollments between 5,000 and 10,000 at the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) spring convention, will be led by Editor-in-Chief MaKayla Polak, a junior digital media: content strategies major from Valparaiso, Nebraska. The Board named Sidney Lowry, a sophomore mass media: multimedia journalism major from Liberty, Missouri, as the newspaper’s next managing editor.

“It is an honor to be selected as the upcoming editor-in-chief of The Northwest Missourian,” Polak said. “I want to make The Missourian a fun and safe learning environment for upcoming journalists, meanwhile holding the staff to a professional level while informing the campus and community of news. I can't wait to share my passion for media and news with our staff and others this coming year.”

Tower yearbook, which earned a Pacemaker at the ACP convention for its 2021 edition as well as Best in Show and People’s Choice honors, will be led by Editor-in-Chief Emily Kunkel, a sophomore digital media: visual imaging major from Linneus, Missouri. The Board selected Addy Bradbury, a sophomore digital media: content strategy major from Saint Charles, Missouri, as the yearbook’s managing editor.

“I began my passion for publication in my freshman year of high school,” Kunkel said. “Starting out as a photojournalist, I had no idea that this would become a career for me. I chose to step up to the position because I wanted to keep Tower on this path of achievement. Being selected as editor-in-chief for Tower Volume 102, I’m beyond excited to lead and create another book with this already amazing team.”

KZLX-LP FM 106.7, Northwest’s student-managed radio station, will be led by General Manager Jacob Coffman, a senior mass media: broadcast production audio major from Overland Park, Kansas. Olivia Bradshaw, a junior digital media: content strategy major from Ballwin, Missouri, will serve as operations director, and Joshua Gregory, a sophomore marketing major from Kansas City, Missouri, will be the program director.

“KZLX has been a fantastic place for me to learn and perfect my radio skills and has given me an amazing opportunity to lead as program director,” Coffman said. “KZLX has been on a strong upward trend the last couple of years. I want to continue that and take us over the peak to become a well-known student organization and to bring in people from more majors who can make our content have great variety and reach.”

At KNWT-TV Channel 8, Kaylin Byland, a senior mass media: broadcast production major from Maryville, will return for a second year as general manager.

“Applying and being selected for the KNWT general manager position means doing something bigger than yourself,” Byland said. “This position not only means managing the station but leading others. I want to serve as an outlet for others to strengthen their broadcast production abilities, have direct connections to industry professionals and engage with others in the Northwest community, and get hands-on, real-life work experience from day one.”