About Us
The Front is the official, independent student newspaper of Western Washington University. News and opinion content is written, edited and published by students. Staff reporters are enrolled in a course in the department of journalism, but any student enrolled at Western may offer stories, photos or guest columns to the editors. The Front is primarily supported by student fees.
Please contact The Front’s editors with any questions, comments or concerns about this site or our coverage of Western, Bellingham and Whatcom County.
Want to submit a guest piece?
Check out these guidelines we created to help start a guest piece.
After review of the above guidelines, submit this form indicating your agreement to The Front's guest piece guidelines.
Please submit the final piece to westernfrontonline@gmail.com.
Want to advertise?
Direct inquiries to our advertising department. advertise.thefront@gmail.com
Faculty adviser
Kie Relyea relyead@wwu.edu
Official social media accounts
Facebook: The Western Front
Instagram: @thefrontonline
Spring 2026 Editorial Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Maddie Jones (she/her) is the editor-in-chief for The Front this quarter. She is wrapping up her last quarter at Western, majoring in news/editorial journalism and minoring in anthropology. When she isn't in the newsroom, you can find her with her nose in a good book, spending time at the beach or hanging out with her cats.
You can reach her at madelynjones.thefront@gmail.com.
Managing Editor
Brenna Witchey (she/her) is the managing editor for The Front this quarter. She is a third-year news/editorial journalism major graduating this summer. When she's not in the newsroom, you can find her at the gym lifting, practicing yoga at home or in the kitchen trying out a new recipe.
You can reach her at brennawitchey.thefront@gmail.com.
Campus Life Editor
Rosalie Johnson (she/they) is the campus life editor this quarter. She is a journalism major on the news/editorial track and is excited to work for The Front in a new role. When she's not in the newsroom, she's in the KUGS radio station, on the road to a new restaurant or hike, or dancing in her kitchen.
You can reach her at rosaliejohnson.thefront@gmail.com.
Campus News Editor
Noelle Reger (she/her) is a second-year journalism student and campus news editor for The Front this quarter. When she's not reading or writing, she can usually be found gambling at the claw machines in Sharetea.
You can reach her at noellereger.thefront@gmail.com.
Sports and Recreation Editor
Erica Stavnem (she/her) is the sports and recreation editor for The Front this quarter. She is in her second year at Western, majoring in visual journalism with a minor in sports psychology. In her free time, you can find her sailing, cooking or looking for a new side quest.
You can reach her at ericastavnem.thefront@gmail.com.
City Life Editor
Myla Balser (she/her) is the city life editor at The Front. She's a third-year journalism student at Western, minoring in political science and film. When she's not chasing a new story, she's likely reading, watching movies or something in between.
You can reach her at mylabalser.thefront@gmail.com.
City News Editor
Austin Wright (he/him) is the city news editor for The Front. He is a fourth-year news/editorial journalism major and political science minor. Austin has published work with The Front, Klipsun magazine and KMRE 88.3 FM. Outside of The Front, you can find him playing ultimate frisbee, watching soccer, hiking or baking.
You can reach him at austinwright.thefront@gmail.com.
Opinions Editor
Aidan Hadley (he/him) is a fourth-year news/editorial journalism major, creative writing minor and the opinions editor for The Front this quarter. When he's not in the newsroom, you can find him making frequent trips to the grocery store, cursing out the rain or making some type of craft.
You can reach him at aidanh.thefront@gmail.com.
Photo and Video Editor
Caitlin Grygorcewicz (she/her) is the photo and video editor this spring quarter. She is in her second year, majoring in visual journalism, and is returning to The Front for a fourth time. In her free time, you can catch her cleaning her camera, climbing rocks and cooking good food.
You can reach her at caitlingrygorcewicz.thefront@gmail.com.
Copy Desk Editors
McKenna Kilayko (she/her) is a copy editor for The Front. She is in her third year at Western, majoring in journalism with a minor in French. You can often find her drinking an iced matcha latte, DJing for Western’s radio station, KUGS, or complaining about the lack of sun.
You can reach her at mckennakilayko.thefront@gmail.com.
Sophia Raymond (she/her) is a copy editor for The Front this quarter. She is a third-year news/editorial journalism major with a minor in sociology. When she's not in the newsroom, you can find her sipping on an iced coffee, listening to new tunes or losing at Scrabble.
You can reach her at sophiaraymond.thefront@gmail.com.
Visual Artist
Julia Chapman (she/her) is the visual artist for The Front this spring. She is a fourth-year studio arts major with a minor in Spanish. In her free time, you can find her working on her webcomic, hitting the gym or hanging out at a coffee shop downtown.
You can reach her at juliachapman.thefront@gmail.com.
Social Media Editor
Meladie Young (she/her) is the social media editor for The Front. She is in her fourth year at Western, majoring in public relations. Meladie has published work in The Front and the Klipsun Magazine, as well as working with WWU Athletics as a Communications Intern. She is also the PR manager for WWU Ice Hockey. In her free time, you can find her with her camera or watching hockey.
You can reach her at meladieyoung.thefront@gmail.com.
Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach Editor
Ellie Wright (she/her) is a journalism and political science major at Western. She is the diversity, inclusion and outreach editor for The Front this quarter. When she's not working, she enjoys reading, hiking and taking care of her garden.
You can reach her at ellie.thefront@gmail.com.
