Willamette’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1889:
Your College, Your Paper, Your Stories
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Meet the staff
Eleanor Hu (She/They)
Editor-in-Chief
Eleanor is the Collegian’s Editor in Chief and a fourth-year Spanish, English and Civic Communications and Media triple major. She is from the Bay Area in California and plans to pursue a career in nonprofit development. Some of Eleanor’s favorites include rock climbing, wearing too much jewelry, and trying new vegan food. She’s also a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a collector of piercings and teddy bears. She loves traveling to new countries and the Washington Post Crossword; she hates slow walkers and people who kill spiders. Eleanor believes that journalism is a powerful way of connecting with and understanding others and is proud to be a part of WU’s independent student newspaper. Around campus you can find her “studying” (talking) by the Millstream, Ford, and in the library as well as working in the Writing Center.
Bjorn Domst
(He/Him)
Managing Editor
Bjorn is a third-year Biology major from Silverton, OR, desperately trying to fit an English double major into his already busy schedule. Though there is rarely a moment wasted in his life, his interests in fantasy books and videogames means that you might find him delving deep into a Brandon Sanderson epic or immersing himself in the world of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind in his free time. Bjorn enjoys running and playing soccer, and you might find him passionately invested in a Portland Timbers or Tottenham Hotspur game when they are on. He also coaches a youth club team in his home town, allowing him to implement his "tactical knowledge" from all his time spectating. Though he can hardly afford the lost time on Sundays, he is a Buffalo Bills fan, and his usually even-keeled demeanor will swing wildly with Josh Allen’s highs and lows. Bjorn has tried his hand at several creative endeavors, from fiction writing to video game designing, but his tendency to lose steam for large projects has prevented him (so far) from becoming famous.
Rohan Srinivasa Babu (He/Him)
Business Manager
Rohan is The Collegian’s Business Manager and a first-year MBA and Master’s in Data Science student at Willamette University. Originally from Bangalore, India, Rohan brings a data-driven approach to managing the publication's finances and operations, fueled by his background in statistics and tech management. Outside of work and academics, you can find Rohan in the gym pursuing his fitness goals or exploring new meal prep recipes that fit his high-protein meal plan. Rohan loves learning, be it experiential or academic. Trying new foods and binging K-drama or some classic stand-up comedy is how he unwinds. Despite his busy schedule, he’s always up for an intellectually stimulating conversation over tea (not a fan of coffee).
Devyn McMillen
(She/They)
Digital Media Manager
Devyn is happy to be the digital media manager at The Collegian. She is a third-year Civic Communications and Media major and English minor. She is from Portland, Oregon and plans on starting a career in communications after graduating. Some of Devyn's favorite activities are hiking, skiing, or exploring the outdoors through some other form. Devyn also loves art, especially collaging, drawing, and painting. She also has a daughter (a Siamese cat) which she is raising right here in Salem, Oregon. When she is not at school, you can find her being a thrifting expert at the Goodwill bins, listening to female music artists like SZA, Clairo, Fiona Apple, and Lana Del Rey, or cuddling her cat.
Natalie Pate
(She/Her)
Journalistic Consultant
Natalie Pate is a K-12 education reporter and producer for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and the journalism consultant for The Collegian. A Bearcat herself, Natalie graduated from Willamette in 2015, double majoring in Politics and French/Francophone Studies. She covered education for the Statesman Journal for more than seven years before freelancing and joining the team at OPB. Natalie is also a published author and the former host and producer of the 2023 limited-series podcast "On the Outside,” which shares the stories of youth with incarcerated parents. She is a mentor for Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) and a member of the Education Writers Association (EWA). Natalie loves spending her free time with her husband and their dog, Bandit. You'll often find her dancing, singing, traveling, hiking, guzzling coffee or with her nose in a good book.
Robin Linares
(She/Her)
News Editor
Robin is excited to be the news editor at The Collegian. She is a sophomore at Willamette majoring in public health and environmental science and is from the San Francisco Bay Area. She is excited to bring informative news stories for the Willamette community and values journalism to learn more about the world around her. Outside of journalism, Robin enjoys walking through town, observing the ducks in the mill stream, exploring Oregon with her friends, and defending the reputation of Canada geese.
Lee Parsons
(They/Them)
Lifestyles Editor
Lee is a native Oregonian from the Salem area and a third-year English major. This is their second year at the Collegian and their first as the Lifestyle's Editor. Lee is passionate about writing and helping others write; they hope to split their time between teaching and writing post-graduation. They enjoy painting, reading, and playing Minecraft poorly. Around campus, you can find them working at the Writing Center, rehearsing for Dance Co., or avoiding the Goudy pasta. They intend to bring life to the lifestyles section and enrich campus life through articles that are surprising and exciting.
Priya Thoren
(She/Her)
Opinions Editor
Priya is a third-year Business major and English minor from the Bay Area, California. Having been with the Collegian from the beginning of her college career, this is her third year with the paper. She loves books (especially when they have a great plot twist) and enjoys both fiction writing and journalism. She finds that some of her best ideas come to her while she runs. If you stop her on campus and ask what she’s listening to, there’s a 98% chance that the answer will be Lana Del Rey. She looks forward to continuing to shine a light on the voices of her fellow peers at Willamette!
Skeet Starr
(He/Him)
Sports Editor
Hailing from the misty depths of Portland, OR, Skeet Starr inhales sports and exhales recreation. A junior PPLE major and third year section editor, Skeet can be found slinking around town suspiciously when not holed up in the library. He loves the Portland Timbers and skateboarding. He strongly dislikes the creeping sense of dread which results from considering the existence of free will. His column, "The Fastbreak Sports Report," which covers university athletics, is released every Tuesday morning (roughly). Send him sports story tips for your chance to win an email response!
Keenan Yoshizawa
(He/Him)
Photography Editor
Keenan is a second-year Politics, Policy, Law, and Ethics (PPLE) major and Japanese Studies and History minor. He is from the Windward side of Oahu, Hawaii and misses the warm sun during the cold and cloudy winters of Oregon. He loves photography, listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with friends (while also listening to music or watching movies).
Eli Fukuji
(He/Him)
Photography Editor
Eli (he/him) is a sophomore and dual-majoring in Public Health and Biology. He is a big fan of animals, especially orcas and his two cats, Calvin and Rue. Eli’s main interest is diseases, and is very excited to be studying public health. He enjoys hiking, nature, mycology and knowing niche fun facts. He is an artist and especially likes creating comics. In his spare time he enjoys drawing, reading, and playing video games.
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Alma Snortum-Phelps (She/Her)
Layout Editor
Alma Snortum-Phelps is a second-year Cinema Studies major from the Bay Area of California. This is her second year on the Collegian staff and her first time in the Layout Editor position. Her dream future career is working as a cinematographer on small indie movie sets. She adores all things related to the visual arts, including photography, graphic design, and painting. In her free time, she enjoys grandma-esque hobbies such as baking, sewing, and crochet. When she goes out, it's to get a fun drink and go thrifting with friends. She is very excited to be able to continue working and growing on the Collegian staff!