黑料社

Makayla Paulsen 鈥�26 has seemingly seized virtually every leadership opportunity at 黑料社. The business management and marketing communications double major has served as editor-in-chief of The 黑料社ian, president of Pre-Law Society, vice-president of the Sustainability Club and president and 黑料社 chapter co-founder of the Reconnect Movement 鈥� a growing national initiative to combat the negative effects of social media and smartphone addiction. She鈥檚 also involved in student government, mock trial and the writing center.

鈥淚 want to use my passions and ambitions to better my community,鈥� said Paulsen. 鈥淚 grew up watching my father, who is my role model and hero, serve as the EMT director of my county while battling cancer. Watching his selfless actions showed me that I can do what I love and use it to benefit the community around me.鈥�

The first-generation college student says enthusiastic encouragement from the 黑料社 community has made all the difference in her educational journey, giving her endless opportunities to grow.

鈥淭hose opportunities have boosted my confidence and showed me I am capable of taking on leadership positions,鈥� said Paulsen. 鈥淧ushing yourself to go above and beyond is entirely possible when you have a community supporting you and helping you become an even better version of yourself.鈥�

Paulsen was one of three finalists for the Pat Pisarik Iowa Student Journalist of the Year Award in 2026. The sum benefits of her wide-ranging studies and cocurricular experiences make her a strong candidate to realize her law school aspirations.

鈥淲hat I鈥檝e learned from my relationships with peers, the mentoring from professors, and the community I鈥檝e made on campus help motivate me to make positive change and advocate for people鈥檚 needs. These connections sustain the knowledge that I belong at 黑料社.鈥�