The Alabama State University Student Media Board selected Benton Harbor, Michigan native, Ashonti Shaw, as the new editor-in-chief of The Hornet Tribune. She is no stranger to the campus newspaper as she previously served as a reporter and assistant news editor for The Hornet Tribune last year.
As a reporter and editor for The Hornet Tribune, Shaw has had the chance to cover important events and tell the stories of impactful members of the Hornet Nation. She also won a regional journalism award during an on-site competition competing against 23 other universities at Troy University. The 22-year-old communication studies major, who maintains a 3.7 grade point average, is thrilled about her new role.

“I am honored to serve as the editor-in-chief of The Hornet Tribune, especially since we did not have a person qualified last year to serve in that position. This position presents a significant opportunity for me and the entire staff. I am confident that my vision and leadership skills will help us grow and succeed together as a team.”
This summer Shaw interned at her local newspaper, Benton Spirit Community Newspaper in Benton Harbor, where she was able to report, write and edit stories.
As editor-in-chief, one aspect of Shaw’s vision for The Hornet Tribune is to expand outreach so that more students are informed about the newspaper and its purpose. She will soon begin planning an event in collaboration with the Society for Collegiate Journalists for the fall semester to introduce students to The Hornet Tribune.
“My goal for The Hornet Tribune is to cultivate an environment where tradition and innovation coexist,” Shaw said. “The Hornet Tribune is one of the oldest organizations on campus with a proud legacy and highly esteemed publication. However, as times change so must we. This year, I am eager to explore new ideas from our staff and find ways to enhance our content delivery to better engage our audience. Shaw said, “I am committed to maintaining that reputation by keeping our content fresh, relevant and competitive.”
During her term as editor-in-chief, she also looks forward to filling the 60 positions that are currently vacant on the staff, strengthening The Hornet Tribune’s investigative work and creating a positive newsroom environment.
“My vision for The Hornet Tribune is to strengthen our foundation and foster a culture of collaboration among our designers, influencers, website content managers, writers, photographers, editors and staff,” she said. “By establishing an efficient system and clear communication, we can work together to produce an engaging publication. I am committed to supporting the professional growth of our team. The Hornet Tribune serves as an excellent platform for each of us to hone our skills and advance in our respective fields.”
She hopes to improve The Hornet Tribune’s audience engagement team, expand its reach on social media and recruit staff members from across the campus from all of the various colleges.
“To elevate our social media outreach, we need to dive deeper into the interests and platforms that resonate with our diverse audience,” Shaw said. “We have to remember that our reach extends beyond just students. We are also speaking to prospective students, alumni, faculty and even those who simply enjoy our content period. To connect with each of these groups, we should tailor our content specifically to their interests and ensure it’s engaging and relevant.”
She continued.
“This approach is not just about outreach, I think it would help boost our recruitment. When we consistently create new, informative and engaging content, it naturally draws more students to take notice. “We can send out polls for feedback or ideas for future topics, hosting contests where winners get featured and create opportunities for students to explore what The Hornet Tribune has to offer.
Shaw also talked about using the social media platform Instagram.
“I have also noticed how other organizations use Instagram challenges to great effect,” she said. “These kinds of interactive, fun initiatives are not only exciting for students but also serve as a way to attract new talent to our team. By implementing these strategies, we can make our social media a more inclusive space, while also encouraging more students to get involved.”

The newly selected editor-in-chief believes that she will be able to balance the duties of this massive job description with her academic pursuits.
“Being a student-athlete that held various leadership positions throughout high school, I understand the demands of balancing school work and extracurricular activities,” Shaw said. “I was heavily involved in cheerleading starting from a young age. Eventually, I was so skilled that by the sixth grade, I was placed on the varsity and went on to serve as captain throughout all four years of high school. During that time, I also was the captain for the volleyball team for two years. Professionally, I served as a program manager for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Southwest Michigan, overseeing three school sites with staff members older than me. That experience revealed how mature and capable I could be, and I am grateful for it. So, I am highly capable of multitasking and thriving under pressure, it comes naturally to me.z”
Shaw is president of the Alabama State University chapter of the Society of Collegiate Journalists, a student organization dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and the protection of the First Amendment.
Staff members who will be working with Shaw this year, believe her appointment as editor-in-chief is positive for the staff overall.
Jahzara Veasey, a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering, is the managing editor for multimedia for The Hornet Tribune. She is excited about Shaw’s appointment.
“I am very excited that Ashonti is our new editor-in-chief. Since we did not have one last year, I am very excited to see how The Hornet Tribune will run with this upgrade to the existing team. I have also seen Ashonti’s leadership skills, so I know that she will lead The Hornet Tribune in a positive direction.
Katelyn Brown, a junior majoring in rehabilitation services, is the managing editor for standards, ethics and quality control. She is also excited for Shaw to lead the staff this year.
“Shonti stays on top of her work and knows how to handle business well,” she said. “So, I believe the rest of the staff will follow in her lead and respect her decisions as chief.”
Second-year staffer Dana Hollenquest, a sophomore majoring in education, is the chief photojournalist for The Hornet Tribune and feels that Shaw is very deserving of her new position.
“I am very happy for her,” Hollenquest said. “She is smart, hardworking and dependable. I believe she is going to do well.”
Shaw believes that treating her staff the way she would like to be treated is the key to building a strong staff.
“My approach to motivating the staff centers on ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected,” she said. “When individuals are seen, heard and appreciated, they are likely to produce their best work. I want the team to know that I am fully engaged and attentive to their contributions rather than simply delegating tasks.”
Shaw also credits her family, for her academic success.
“I am the oldest of five siblings,” she said. “I have three brothers and one sister. My family dynamic is unique, but the bond we have I would not trade for anything in the world. My parents were always big on academics. I would go to school and then come home to be homeschooled. I thought it was insane. Now, I know it was the right upbringing.”
Shaw graduated from Countryside Academy High School and earned an associate degree in communications from Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor.