The State Hornet Publications Board announced Friday that Ashley Evans will be the editor in chief for the 2008-09 school year.

Evans is currently the print managing editor of the State Hornet, as well as a student assistant for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Evans, a sophomore journalism major, previously worked as a reporter and news editor for The State Hornet.

“Being editor in chief takes someone who knows where the paper has been, where it is now and where it has the potential to go,” Evans wrote in her application.

Evans stated that she would like to revamp the way the paper utilizes its multimedia resources, particularly the use of video.

Evans also plans to institute workshops and training for section editors, give more front-page exposure to the Features and Sports sections and include more non content-based features, such as crossword puzzles and comic strips.

“Including these things in the paper would not only help us increase our readership, but would show our current readers that we are listening to them and adapting to their needs,” Evans wrote.

“The publications board is glad to have a candidate of her caliber,” said Holly Heyser, professional journalist in residence at The State Hornet.

Heyser said she has enjoyed watching Evans, who began working for The State Hornet in her freshman year during the fall of 2006, rise through the ranks and evolve as a journalist.

Anyone interested in joining the newspaper for the fall 2008 semester can contact Evans at [email protected].