EDITORIAL BOARD
2023 - 2024
CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & EXECUTIVE CONTENT EDITOR
Tia Trinh (she/her)
Writing & Literature, 3rd Year
I joined TBL because I wanted to be a part of a welcoming journalistic community and to work to uplift the student voices around me. I'm excited to watch the newspaper grow alongside the vibrant community that makes up UC Santa Barbara!
Outside of TBL, I can be found reading, baking, and drinking a bit too much coffee!
CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & MANAGING EDITOR
Diana Proano (she/her)
Psychology & Brain Sciences, 4th Year
Since joining TBL, I've been really excited for the opportunity to put myself out there and gain more experience in storytelling, to share with others!
A little bit about me, when I have free time, I enjoy doing a variety of different things. I like anything photography and film related, gaming, reading, baking, thrifting, and staying active with different sports.
SENIOR COPY EDITOR
Sophie Najm (she/her)
Writing & Literature, 3rd Year
My name is Sophie Najm and I am a junior Writing & Literature student. This is my second year at TBL, and I am excited to work as Senior Copy Editor with our amazing copy team!
Outside of TBL, I love screenwriting, video games, baking, and music.
COPY EDITOR
Ariana Duckett
Writing & Literature with Earth Science Minor, 2nd Year
I joined TBL to read about students' perspectives on UCSB and Isla Vista and improve my editing and proofreading skills.
In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, roller skating, and researching what books to read next.
NEWS EDITOR
Houston Sasselli
Film & Media Studies, 4th Year
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Jasmine Liang
Writing & Literature, 4th Year
I'm so happy to join TBL this year and contribute to the student-first journalism TBL promotes! In my section, you can find articles about local cuisine, games, and social media, all of which I have a deep interest in as a foodie, gamer, and TikTok doom scroller.
I'm particularly a huge fan of "Little Nightmares" and "Valorant," but I also design and write games myself. Besides games, I mainly write and consume scifi and fantasy media, like "Severance," "Arrival," and "The Poppy War."
SCIENCE & TECH EDITOR
April Zhang (she/her)
Environmental Studies, 4th Year
TBL is a venue for my passion for writing and creativity, and I am excited to combine it with my love for the environment.
Outside of TBL, you can catch me competing with the Model United Nations team, hiking as many national parks as I can, being an amateur photographer, and building legos (when I'm not stressing over my thesis).
OPINIONS EDITOR
Benjamin Lee
Writing & Literature, 4th Year
I joined TBL to get in touch with our community and explore ways to understand topics of concern to our campus.
In my free time, I listen to classical music, write short fiction, create low-poly 3D models with Blockbench, and code video game mods.
PHOTO EDITOR
Sophia Chun
Film & Media Studies, Asian American Studies, 2nd Year
PHOTO EDITOR
Shane Rockenstein Carlson (he/him)
Film & Media Studies, 4th Year
I'm excited to be a part of TBL's team and keep my passion for photography alive by pursuing photojournalism at our newspaper! I've been a photographer for a long time, so I'm thrilled to be sharing my love with the rest of the team and our readers!
In addition to photography, I love writing, playing multiple instruments (currently at 7, working to add more!), and taking advantage of my last few months of going for sunrise runs around IV and campus.
VIDEO EDITOR
Jiaming Liu (he/him)
Computer Science, 1st Year
I joined TBL to apply my storytelling, video editing, and leadership skills to keep the Gaucho and IV community informed and engaged.
In my free time, I also like to draw race cars and sedans. Looking forward to an awesome year ahead
VIDEO
Wallence Zhou (they/them)
Film & Media Studies, 3rd Year
I joined The Bottom Line because it's a good opportunity to into media studies. And it also will help me get more familiar with UCSB campus life and Isla Vista.
I like to use camera lens to capture all beautiful moments. I also like to traveling, camping, and any adventures.
VIDEO
Sebastian Mataka
Sociology, 3rd Year
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Caren Chua (she/her)
Communication, 3rd Year
I joined TBL to be more involved with the newspaper on campus, with a focus on student voices and collecting authentic stories. I also wanted to grow my design skills in a journalistic setting!
In my free time, I love playing games with friends (VALORANT, Stardew Valley, and basically any other co-op game), going on long walks, journaling, and watching Youtube or Twitch streams!
MARKETING
Shelby Appice
Communication, 3rd Year
Hi! I’m Shelby Appice, and I am a third year Communications major with an interest in journalism and public relations. TBL has allowed me to explore my passions and interests while being surrounded with supportive, hard-working, like-minded individuals.
In my free time and other than writing, I love to be active, outdoors, or with friends!
SOCIAL MEDIA
Tamar Grosskopf
Communication, 3rd Year
LAYOUT
Vani Tankha
Psychological & Brain Sciences, 3rd Year
I enjoy working as a layout editor at TBL because it gives me an outlet to express my interest in design as well as the opportunity to work alongside so many creative and talented individuals at UCSB!
In my free time, I love listening to music, running, and baking with my housemates (as well as like many others, scrolling endlessly on my phone).
LAYOUT
