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 westernfront.opeditor@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
Fall 2025 Editorial Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Neisha Gaskins (she/her) is the Editor-in-Chief of The Front. Majoring in News/Editorial Journalism, she's in her fourth year at Western. With a passion for local news, Neisha has also worked with the Salish Current and Skagit Valley Herald. When she isn't writing, Neisha can also be found curating outfits, gawking at the moon or dancing with friends.
You can reach her at neishag.thefront@gmail.com.
Managing Editor
Aidan Hadley (he/him) is a fourth-year journalism major, creative writing minor and the Managing Editor for The Front! When he's not in the newsroom, you can find him making frequent trips to the grocery store or staying warm under probably too many blankets.
You can reach him at aidanh.thefront@gmail.com or me.thefront@gmail.com.
Campus Life Editor
Madelyn Jones (she/her) is the Campus Life Editor for The Front this quarter. She is in her final year at Western, majoring in News/Editorial Journalism. When she's not working on a story, she likes reading, listening to music and hanging out with her cats.
You can reach her at madelynjones.thefront@gmail.com.
Campus News Editor
Austin Wright (he/him) is the Campus News Editor for The Front this quarter. He is a fourth-year journalism news/editorial major and previously reported on campus news for The Front. Outside of the newsroom, you can find him playing ultimate frisbee, watching soccer or baking.
You can reach him at austinwright.thefront@gmail.com.
Sports and Recreation Editor
Meladie Young (she/her) is the Sports and Recreation 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 photographer. 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.
City Life Editor
Mars Wetzbarger (they/them) is the City Life Editor this quarter for The Front. This is their fourth and final quarter with The Front and Western. Graduating with a degree in environmental studies and journalism. In their free time, you can find them in rivers, white water rafting, climbing rocks or hanging out with their cat.
You can reach them at marswetzbarger.thefront@gmail.com.
City News Editor
Ayden Sweat (he/him) is the City News Editor for The Front this quarter. He has previously been a reporter and the photo and video editor for The Front. Ayden is studying visual journalism and wrapping up a minor in anthropology. Outside of the newsroom, he hosts a radio show at 89.3 KUGS-FM, collects different physical media, and explores the outdoors.
You can reach him at aydensweat.thefront@gmail.com.
Opinions Editor
Jae Ranney (they/them) is the Opinions Editor for Fall 2025. Entering their third year as a Journalism News/Ed Major, they have previously worked as both a reporter and Editor-In-Chief for The Front. When not chasing a lede, they enjoy playing a variety of instruments and jamming with their friends.
You can reach them at jaeranney.thefront@gmail.com.
Photo and Video Editor
Caitlin Grygorcewicz (she/her) is the Photo and Video Editor for The Front this fall. She is in her second year, majoring in visual journalism and is a returning editor for The Front. In her free time, you can catch her cleaning up her camera, climbing up rocks and cooking good food.
You can reach her at caitlingrygorcewicz.thefront@gmail.com.
Copy Desk Editors
Piper Raupp (she/her) is a Copy Desk Editor for The Front. She is in her fourth year at Western, majoring in English with an emphasis in creative writing. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with her cats, Skye and Miwa, or reading a good book.
You can reach her at piperraupp.thefront@gmail.com.
Brenna Witchey (she/her) is a Copy Desk Editor for The Front this fall. She is a third-year News and Editorial Journalism major. She has previously reported for The Front on the city life beat. When she's not reporting or editing, she's usually at the gym or watching "Kitchen Nightmares".
You can reach her at brennawitchey.thefront@gmail.com.
Visual Artist
Isabella Doughty (she/her) is the Visual Artist for this quarter of The Front. She is a fourth-year Graphic Design major who has illustrated for The Front previously. Outside of work, you can find her doodling in her myriad of sketchbooks, watching a scary movie or enjoying the fall weather.
You can reach her at isabelladoughty.thefront@gmail.com.
Social Media Editor
Kristina Mendoza (she/her) is a fifth-year visual journalism major at Western Washington University. She has worked for The Front for roughly a year, formerly as a graphic artist/designer. With the start of the new school year, she is assuming a new role as Social Media Editor for the publication. She’s passionate about creating visually dynamic layouts and designs that make written communication more accessible for readers. In her downtime, she enjoys hiking, knitting, sketching and painting.
You can reach her at kristinamendoza.thefront@gmail.com.
