I knew I wanted to work for The Mass Media the moment I heard about the opportunity at my freshman orientation three years ago. And there’s not a lot of downsides to completing my bachelor’s in three years, but one thing I will certainly regret is not getting another year to work with such a wonderful group of people.
My life has revolved around writing for as long as I can remember, so getting to use that skill while also expanding my horizons as a writer and researcher has been such a gift. I started as an Arts writer in the fall of 2023, but I have now spent the past year taking up the position of News Editor. Working in the news section has helped me hone my talents as an unbiased researcher and reporter, and it has helped me make more on-campus connections through the important work we do. We have raised student awareness around countless important issues both on and off campus, and I’m honored to have been leading that effort in my section. I’ve dedicated myself to timely reporting and making this section the best it can be, and I hope that shows.
I will always be grateful to The Mass Media for the opportunities it has given me. Special thanks to my coworkers who have made me feel welcomed and confident in my skills. Good luck, everyone!
— Sullivan Dickerson
News Editor
Throughout my life, I’ve always known I wanted to pursue writing. Whether it was fiction, non-fiction, or journalism, writing was the constant. I began at UMass Boston in 2022 as a Communication major, and I will graduate this May with a BA in Communication and English, concentrating in Professional and New Media Writing. I joined The Mass Media in Fall 2024 as an Arts Writer and became Arts Editor the following semester. During that time, I not only grew as a writer, but also gained a clearer sense of the kind of work I want to do moving forward.
I came to college thinking I would pursue journalism, but somewhere along the way, I drifted. Other paths tempted me like teaching and creative writing. It was through The Mass Media that I found my way back. Journalism, I realized, is not separate from those other callings but alive with them. It asks you to pay attention, to listen closely and to tell stories that matter now. In returning to it, I felt something settle into place. This is the work I want to spend my life doing.
I leave this paper as an aspiring journalist with a deep sense of gratitude. For the trust placed in me and for the chance to tell stories both large and small. I will carry with me the memory of covering the Boston Book Festival, of standing in a crowd at an All Time Low concert, moments that were made possible through this work. More than anything, I am thankful for my fellow staff behind The Mass Media, who made it more than a publication. They made it a beginning.
— Abigail Fontz
Arts Editor
I started working with the Mass Media in my junior year. I really adore what The Mass Media does for the school and also stands for. The students that make up the Mass Media team are amazing people who were so great to work with. It was a breath of fresh air to also be in a department that contributes to students still having the opportunity to read good old newspapers. I worked as a distributor every week, putting new papers in stands, recycling old ones and restocking them. The Mass Media is a solid part of UMass Boston and I am so grateful to have been a part of the team.
— Anuoluwa Adeniyi
Distributor
