“Student media has always been part of my life.

My dad, Jake Sorensen, served as a student media adviser for quite a while, so when I was growing up, I would go to work with him during the summer. My brothers and I would take turns spending time in the office. I’ve been told stories about being there as a baby—me in my car seat carrier in the printer room. I remember hanging things on the walls of the media office and building chairs.

Now, I’m the editor of The Daily Utah Chronicle.

My path here wasn’t exactly straightforward. I spent my freshman year at Arizona State University, where I majored in journalism and mass communication. It was really fun, and I did really enjoy it, but I just decided it wasn’t me.

I returned home, transferred to the U and felt the obvious next step was to apply for student media. I became a news writer for the Chronicle, and that is where my student media journey really took off.

I’ve spent the past two years as a news writer. One of my favorite stories explored the history of freedom of speech on campus. I loved digging through archives and special collections.

Journalism remains a major part of my life, but history has become an equally important part of my future. I love the history program and the possibilities that come with it. Learning, researching and investigating more about the world around me is my passion. As a history major, I hope to continue learning about the world around me; how we have changed over time and how we will continue to evolve.

I will graduate with a social studies endorsement, which will allow me to teach subjects beyond general history. Eventually, I would love to teach high school journalism and become a newspaper adviser. I had such great teachers, and they had such a large impact on my life that I just want to do that for someone else.

For now, much of my energy is going toward the Chronicle. I want the newsroom to be a place where students learn, get involved and know they have someone they can turn to. My goals for the year center on connection—with the audience, within the newsroom and through social media. Anything that interests students, we’ll cover it, because they’re number one.

At the end of my year as editor, I want one thing to stand out. I want to be able to say that I was able to build connections and trust with our audience.

Outside the newsroom, I’m an avid reader, hiker and camper. This summer, my husband, Noah (my high school sweetheart and also a U student studying mechanical engineering) and I visited Grand Teton National Park, where we camped, hiked and saw bears.”

— Teanna Sorensen, a junior studying history and the editor-in-chief of The Daily Utah Chronicle