Maryam Ahmed

Maryam is a fourth-year journalism student at UT Austin minoring in Middle Eastern studies. Having worked for The Daily Texan, The Austin American-Statesman and The Dallas Morning News, she has written and edited all kinds of news and feature stories. In her editing, Maryam prioritizes preserving each writer's unique voice while still strengthening the quality of the writing. When she's not reporting or in class, Maryam is a juggler, henna artist and avid reader!

Anjum Alam

Anjum is a journalism and international relations and global studies junior with a minor in Arabic. Her writing has appeared in The Daily Texan, Alcalde and Drift Magazine, where she previously served as a co-managing editor. She started as a copy editor at the Texan and later became a senior news reporter, where she covered immigration, public safety and the environment. When she isn’t reporting or working, Anjum enjoys going on long walks with her loved ones, spending probably too much time on her Letterboxd reviews and writing poetry.

Emily DeMotte

Emily is a senior journalism major from Plano. Recently, she completed a reporting internship at KERA News, the NPR station for North Texas, and previously interned with the Austin Chronicle and Texas Connect. She also works as a data fellow for UT's Media Innovation Group and a producer for The Drag Audio. Previously, Emily spent six semesters with The Daily Texan, where she worked in the projects, news, and life & arts departments. When she's not busy with work or school, Emily loves to rewatch her favorite shows, go thrift shopping and eat out with friends.

Grace Hurley

Grace is a senior journalism major with a creative writing certificate. She was the Eats writer for BurntXOrange Magazine in her freshman and sophomore years, covering West Campus’ food scene and culture. Recently, she interned for Edible Austin Magazine as its creative development intern, covering restaurant openings and local culinary events. Her dream job is in food journalism, whether a restaurant editor or a food writer with a unique niche. She also serves as vice president of Alpha Omega Campus Ministry. When Grace isn’t working or studying, she enjoys coffee shop hopping, spending too much money on matcha lattes, trying new restaurants with friends and endlessly editing one of her seven unpublished fiction novels.

Brian Murray

Brian is a journalism senior and currently the managing editor for The Daily Texan. In prior years at the Texan, he's served as copy desk chief and as a reporter in Life&Arts and Projects, the paper's investigative department. He was also a news intern for KXAN, the NBC-affiliate TV station in Austin. His coverage there focused on education, highlighting drastic changes to the K-12 Social Studies curriculum and AISD's attempts to cover a $180 million deficit through school closures, consolidations and program cuts. Outside of newsrooms, Brian is a tutor and enjoys live music, parks and swimming (like everyone else in Austin).

Dominic Plata

Dominic is a third-year journalism student with an interest in photojournalism, editing and design. He is currently the editor-in-chief of BurntXOrange as well as the editor-in-chief and vice president of University Fashion Group. He has also worked at The Daily Texan as a senior photographer, issue designer, newsletter writer and copy editor. Outside of journalism, he enjoys reading, making Pinterest boards and exploring fashion trends.

Emily Quigley

Emily Quigley (she/her) is excited for the opportunity to help students as the associate director of the Moody Writing Support Program.
Emily worked for 19 years at the Austin American-Statesman in various roles, including copy editor, assistant news editor and assistant features editor. She has a passion for words and for collaborating with writers to sharpen their skills.
Since coming to the Moody College of Communication in 2019, Emily has taught the beginning newswriting course, Reporting Words, in the School of Journalism and Media, and she helped launch the Curriculum for Ethical Leadership in News. She also teaches a copy editing class at St. Edward’s University and edits Texas Connect, the staff and faculty magazine of the University of Texas.
When Emily isn’t editing or trying to persuade her sons to use proper grammar in texts, she enjoys reading, cooking, listening to podcasts and trying to incorporate Halloween decorations in her home year-round.

Ava Saunders

Ava is a journalism and government senior. She previously was editor-in-chief for The Daily Texan and also worked for two years in the opinion and copy departments, covering student issues and Texas politics. Additionally, Ava is a contributor to Austin on Stage Magazine, a student-run country music magazine. She previously worked for The Female Maverick Marketing Agency, working as a copy editor and social media intern. She is also a member of Texas Kappa Delta. Outside of journalism, Ava enjoys sci-fi novels, cooking for her friends and spending all her money on concert tickets.

Mazzy Warren

My name is Mazzy Warren, and I was born and raised in Austin. I'm a journalism and English junior, so there's nothing I love more than reading and writing — that's why I'm excited to be a writing coach with this program! In my free time, I love to read, watch documentaries and annoy my twin brother. Feel free to reach out if you need anything at all!