UF College of Journalism and Communications

Yvonne Ayala

Master’s student

Taking on the adventure and responsibility of being an assistant editor at the communigator has been an enriching experience that has helped me learn the discipline and balance editors need to have. I believe in myself a little more, and every story I edit reaffirms my passion for feature writing. Being on the other side of writing and submitting articles has opened my eyes to what the students contribute. They don’t just make a magazine – they weave their personalities and excitement into the stories they write.

Rita Chernyak

Public Relations junior

The communigator has given me multiple opportunities to put the skills I learned in the classroom to the test. Not only did I improve my writing, editing and interviewing skills, but I did so for a publication that ends up in the hands of 25,000 alumni around the world. Working for the communigator this semester has been especially memorable because I had the chance to cover the College’s involvement in the 2008 elections. Covering the involvement of the College’s faculty, graduates and undergraduates in researching the media coverage and attitudes of young voters has made me feel more engaged as a writer and as an American.

Amber Ehrke

Journalism junior

The communigator foiled my big plan. From elementary school on, my teachers would say, “We’re going to see your name in print someday, Amber.” I decided to prove them wrong – I didn’t want to do what everyone expected of me. So in college, I drifted through a year of “exploratory” courses, including a horrific Shakespeare class in which I earned my first C. Then journalism sucked me in. I’ve found my way to the communigator, where a brutal-but-patient editor gave me an office to hang out in between classes and a chance to become a journalist, after all.

Jason Henry

Photojournalism senior

When I first picked up a camera, it was strictly for fun. I would borrow my mother’s 35mm SLR, photographing my friends and their antics. When college came around, I needed a career I could be passionate about and wouldn’t consider work. Photojournalism offered me just that. Shooting for the communigator has given me the opportunity to refine my style and push the limits of my creativity, while still maintaining the enthusiasm and curiosity with which I started.

Photo credits:
Yvonne Ayala: Lilly Cardenas
Rita Chernyak: Matthew Taylor
Amber Ehrke: Amber Ehrke
Jason Henry: Senta Achee