The Student Media Board announced the appointment of three of five of its 2015-2016 student media leaders: editor-in-chief of The Arkansas Traveler, station manager for UATV and station manager of KXUA 88.3 FM.

Arkansas Traveler

Sophomore journalism major Isabel Dobrin was named editor-in-chief of The Arkansas Traveler, the university's weekly student-run newspaper.

"I've been working for the Traveler since my freshman year – first as a news reporter and then as news editor," Dobrin said. "I'm excited to continue working with so many talented and passionate journalists next year."

Gerald Jordan, journalism professor and faculty advisor for the Traveler, said he is pleased to have Dobrin as editor-in-chief. "I'm delighted that Isabel will be stepping into that role," Jordan said. "It's one of tremendous responsibility. I'm confident she is up to the task."

Dobrin appointed Julia Trupp, sophomore English/journalism combined major, as managing editor of the Traveler.

"Next year, I'm excited to be able to keep producing the Traveler with some incredibly talented people, including the editor-in-chief, who I'm lucky to call friends," Trupp said. "Having the responsibility as the managing editor and also being as lucky as I am to do something I love is also exciting."

Trupp also mentioned how she hopes to get the Traveler's Instagram account back up and running, as there are plans to utilize it more in the future.

UATV Television Station

Graduate student Blake Sutton was selected station manager for UATV, which is channel 22 on campus and channel 214 on Cox Cable in Northwest Arkansas.

"I want to instill a new attitude about UATV," Sutton said, "We're not just a student-run station, but one that can compete with the other three news stations in Northwest Arkansas."

UATV recently placed second nationally at the BEA awards for best newscast.

"It's a great achievement, but it's not our ceiling," Sutton said. "I want to be No. 1 next year."

Larry Foley, chair of the Walter J. Lemke Department of Journalism, spoke highly of Sutton. "He's smart, he's mature," Foley said. "I think he'll be a very solid station manager."

KXUA Radio Station

Matt Robison will continue his tenure as station manager of KXUA 88.3 FM, the student radio station.

Robison said that he is looking forward to seeing KXUA accomplish goals through teamwork and learning through experience, and that he is excited for the station to build on it's DJs' experience.

"KXUA helps to provide a real world learning environment for students as well as an outlet for creative expression by sharing the music they listen to, and care about," Robison said. "We have 62 DJs and 10 executive board members, and plenty of room to grow and to build on our past experiences, whether it's interviewing artists and taking photographs at music festivals, or in speaking with music industry representatives."

Steve Wilkes, director of UA Student Media, said Robison has done a terrific job as station manager for KXUA.

"I was most pleased when he came forward and offered to remain as manager through December 2015," Wilkes said. "He has implemented a number of successful and effective initiatives and has provided energetic, fully engaged leadership of the student radio station at the UofA."

Student Involvement

Foley said that he enjoys the process of selecting the student media leaders, and that the new student media appointees are a good sign for the department.

"The process is always interesting and fun for me," Foley said. "It's always fun to see students get dressed up and prepare. I walk away so encouraged by the kind of students we have."

Wilkes said that the appointed student media leaders have talents that will help to build up each aspect of the student media in years to come.

"We are fortunate at UA Student Media to have a cadre of student leaders, including Isabel Dobrin, Mathew Robison and Blake Sutton," Wilkes said. "Each of these bring a unique set of leadership and technical skills to their respective medium that I feel certain will take each from good to great, with improved quality, campus and community engagement and an even stronger, more durable foundation for generations of students to come."

Editor-in-chief of the Arkansas Traveler Magazine and the Razorback, the university yearbook, will be announced soon.

Students from across the disciplines on campus are encouraged to apply for positions on the various student media, which need writers, editors, photographers, DJs, reporters and designers. Apply at the offices of the Traveler, UATV and the Razorback yearbook,which are on the first floor of Kimpel, or at the KXUA studio, which is in the Arkansas Union.