The Badger Herald Editorial Board aims to be a voice of the student community, weighing in on issues of importance to students regarding campus, local and state affairs.

If there is a pressing topic you feel we should reflect on or you completely disagree with what we’re saying, we welcome your thoughts. We can be reached at [email protected].

The members of this semester’s editorial board are as follows:

Editorial Board Chair Joe Timmerman

Hello, dear readers. I’m Joe, and I’m returning for my eighth (and hopefully final) semester at The Badger Herald. I first got involved with the Herald my freshman year as a columnist. After that, I spent a year working as an editorial page editor before moving into my current role as Editorial Board chair.

I’ll be graduating in May with a degree in math and economics, along with a computer science certificate. I’m currently in the midst of a job search, which is really a great time. My ideal outcome would be finding someone who will pay me to do something after graduation.

In general, I’m most interested in economic issues, especially ones that affect campus. For example, one of my biggest frustrations with UW is the incredibly poor design of the athletic department’s system for allocating football season tickets.

Feel free to get in touch with me at [email protected] or on Twitter at @joetimmerman.

Editor-in-Chief Tara Golshan

I’m back. Here is a list of things still happening in my life:

I’m still serving my term as editor-in-chief, but now with the added wisdom of fall semester under my belt. I’m still a senior, finishing up a major in journalism with a concentration in reporting and international studies with a concentration in the global economy. I’m flirting with the idea of declaring a certificate in French. I’m still often found basking in the genius of Ira Glass — maybe a little more “Serial” than “This American Life.”

Part of me wants to throw in a plot twist and say I shaved my head and have now subscribed to the grunge movement, but that would be a ridiculous lie.

Non-grunge related issues of interest: the Bascom Hill-Capitol dynamic, women’s issues, socioeconomic disparity and the state of journalism. Any questions about my feels, or how the Herald breathes, feel free to email me at [email protected]. There are a lot of “still happenings” in my life, but as far as all things Herald, there is just a lot happening.

Digital Managing Editor Katie Caron

Hey friends/Mom/future employers/the Internet. It’s me again. This semester will be my eighth at the Herald and my eighth on campus, meaning I’m going to graduate in a few short months and leave behind the organization that has been my second home on campus for the past four years. *gulp*

I started at the Herald as a campus news reporter my first semester at UW and moved up through the news section, which involved a lot of student government meetings, coffee and Chex Mix.

For my last semester, I’m moving on from my three-semester stint as Managing Editor to be the Digital Managing Editor. I look forward to the opportunity of a new position and maintaining a role on the board.

As for my views, I hold social issues highest and am interested in women’s and gender issues, the environment, mental health and social justice. I also like following media news, pop culture and human interest stories. If you want to chat about anything from campus issues to how to be an adult in the world, feel free to get in touch with me at [email protected].

Board of Directors Chair Will Haynes

Hi folks. I’m Will, and I’m back for thirds. I’m entering my last semester at UW (and final term on this Board). As always, I’m ready to get rowdy.

I’m not your typical Millennial — I grew up without Disney, I’ve never played Mario Bros and I firmly believe Beyoncé peaked years ago.

I moved a lot growing up. I spent my elementary school years in Norway, did middle school years in Newfoundland, Canada, and graduated from high school in Houston, Texas. My parents live in upstate New York now, where I spent every summer as a kid.

On the page, you’d probably label me left of center, but I’m not one for labels. I listen for good ideas where they are and I call things as I see them.

Off the page I’m a computer science and economics major. I’m a geek, I tell great dad jokes and I drink my coffee black.

Second semester senior year. It’s time to boot and rally.

At-large Member Briana Reilly

Hello again, dear readers. It is I, mild-mannered (wannabe international) reporter, Briana Reilly (I recently rekindled my love for Marvel comics superheroes). In actuality, I’m not as egocentric as the previous statement suggests.

This is my fourth semester doing Herald things, and third as a member of the Editorial Board. I started as a columnist, moved to opinion editor for two semesters and now I’m enjoying a cushy state of retirement, where I’m able to spend about nine-tenths of my time outside the Herald office.

As a student, I’m working on my international studies and journalism majors and a certificate in Chinese professional communication. I have a diverse number of interests including homelessness, women’s issues, international affairs and comparative political policies.

I will be bringing my personal experience as an internationally-minded individual to the board, meaning I have an ability to look at events or people in the contexts of their own history, culture and lives.

Editorial Page Editor Madeline Sweitzer

I like to think the years and amount of money put into my education have not gone to waste and somewhere along the way I have managed to learn something. However, throughout my 19 years of life I seem to have been either unwilling or physically incapable of learning how to shut my mouth or lower my voice. I for one hope this never changes.

As far as my political tendencies, all the evidence points toward independent. I once took a very legitimate political compass quiz online and it had me one notch off center on the political spectrum. This was confirmed when my liberal friends called me a conservative and my grandfather, speaking for the rest of my conservative family, was shocked I didn’t identify as a liberal. My only steadfast political rule is moderates over extremists.

This will be my second semester on this esteemed board and as opinion section editor, but my fourth working for this esteemed paper. I haven’t had an opinion outlet in almost a month so I’m ready to rant and rave, and I hope you are too.

Editorial Page Editor Zach Walters

Howdy, Herald readers. My name is Zach Walters, and I am the new pink zebra for the Herald opinion section. Yes that’s right, I am one of the only editors that is not in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I am a business student who is also studying Spanish.

This will be my sixth semester semi-officially writing for the Herald. For the most part, I have been producing content for the Herald through College Republicans. This semester, I finally decided to make my marriage to the Herald official by becoming part of the staff as well as the Editorial Board.

When it comes to politics, I am a melting pot of different ideas. On most issues, especially concerning the economy, I tend to lean a little bit more to the right. I am pro-life, but on most other social issues I tend to fall exactly in the middle. I also have an interesting perspective on this campus as I am a House Fellow, working in Lakeshore.