Editing My Final Chapter: The Next Story Awaits

By Arlenis Marmolejos

Dear Reader,

Behind every story are curious minds in pursuit of truths that might otherwise go untold.

Arlenis Marmolejos seated near the West 1 parking lot. (Photo by Natalie Tulloch)

My name is Arlenis Marmolejos, though most may know me as “Leni.” During the 2024-25 academic year, I had the pleasure of serving as one of two editors guiding The Purchase Phoenix to publication. As managing editor, I dedicated myself to writing, editing and supporting our contributors and voices that bring our campus to life.

Beyond an editorial role, The Phoenix has become something far greater where stories resonate, perspective matters and a true sense of belonging takes shape.

Before I could help foster a community in the newsroom, I first had to find my own place on campus.

When I first arrived at Purchase in 2022 as a freshman commuter student, I couldn’t envision the campus as somewhere I could call home. My days felt like a constant shuffle between classes and work, along with other responsibilities, a routine I wore like armor to protect myself from feeling out of place. College felt isolating; I was often on the outside looking in, barely able to be physically present, let alone emotionally invested.

Everything began to change as I was enrolled in “A Rookie Reporter’s Guide to Freshman Year,” course taught by the remarkable Professor Donna Cornachio, The Phoenix’s faculty advisor and a guiding force in the journalism program. Donna was the first to encourage me to submit a story to The Phoenix, opening a door I hadn’t imagined stepping through. Adding to that encouragement was the brilliant Barb Kay, the previous editor-in-chief, who visited that class and shared her enthusiasm about how fulfilling writing for the college newspaper could be—an opportunity I had never considered for myself while pursuing a career in law.

Although I wasn’t able to attend every weekly meeting at first, I’m so grateful that Donna and Barb still saw potential in me. They trusted me early on as a contributor, then supported me through reporting and editing internships, ultimately paving the way for my role as an editor.

Arlenis Marmolejos recording breaking news coverage of a protest in May of 2024. (Photo by Natalie Tulloch)

One story quickly turned into many as I discovered a passion for justice-driven reporting and a drive to explore the full scope of campus life. Through each interview and article, I built a web of connections and felt grounded at Purchase for the first time.

Along the way, I dived into different beats and saw how journalism can take many forms. Through this journey, I developed a strong interest in photography, which helped me capture and share stories in new ways while deepening my appreciation for storytelling.

Jennifer Ward (left) and Arlenis Marmolejos (right) cheerfully celebrating graduation in the Humanities Lobby. (Photo by Natalie Tulloch)

My commitment to journalism led to countless late nights spent writing and editing alongside my compassionate and ambitious Editor-in-Chief, Jennifer “Jenn” Ward. What started as a professional partnership quickly blossomed into one of the strongest friendships I’ve formed at Purchase. Jenn was my sounding board, and I truly could not have made it through this year without her support.

Those long nights covering campus politics and breaking news were often filled with laughter, deep conversations and a shared journalistic rigor. Together, we created moments that defined more than just our roles—they became the heart of my Purchase experience.

Our mission as co-editors aimed to not only cater to our readers, but to create an enriching and enjoyable experience for our staff. We imagined what The Phoenix could become and poured ourselves into that vision. By expanding our intern team and enhancing our multimedia coverage, we focused on diversifying the newspaper and the storytelling experience through image, video and even art, often by those who hadn’t seen themselves represented in journalism. Bringing field professionals as guest speakers encouraged fresh perspectives and motivation for our aspiring and interested journalists. The workshops we developed and the regular newsroom hours established were small steps in creating an inclusive environment where every contributor could thrive and feel heard.

Navigating a student-run service brought its share of challenges; however, Jenn and I remained committed to leading purposefully. The year was far from perfect, but we discovered something even more meaningful through it all. We created a space where newcomers could feel at home, and where everyone could openly reflect and pitch stories happening around them. The Phoenix became more than a newspaper thanks to our talented interns: Natalie Tulloch, Alex Del Cueto, Isabelle Veloz, Summer Tyler and Brandon Cruz.

The Phoenix was honored with the Purchase Student Government Association's Outstanding Service Award at the end of the year, recognizing the hard work every contributor put into the publication.

Arlenis Marmolejos standing beside camera equipment inside the Purchase Broadcast News Studio. (Photo by Justin Knowles)

As I pass the torch to our next promising editors, Summer Tyler and Nolan Locke, I feel lucky to also pass on other leadership roles I’ve grown into during my three years at Purchase.

The confidence I gained in The Phoenix newsroom carried over into other areas of my life, empowering me to take on new opportunities as I grew. As a double major in journalism and law and justice studies, I wanted to ensure I wasn’t just gaining knowledge in the classroom but putting it into practice whenever possible. This mindset led me to co-found The Pre-Law Society (PLS) in November of 2024 after noticing that many aspiring legal professionals on campus lacked access to resources and a space to connect. Wanting to bridge that gap, I took on the role of president while continuing my work as an editor. With the support of my dedicated executive board: Justin Lara, Josie Parker-Blue, Sinsha Varghese and Kevon Joseph, we turned a simple idea into an organization that offers community and opportunities for students interested in law.

The sense of purpose I fostered in The Phoenix helped guide my leadership style in the PLS and as a CREAR (College Readiness, Achievement and Retention) Futuros mentor. I’m especially proud that some of my freshmen mentees, including Tia Porter and Cathleen Suchite, contributed to The Phoenix. Watching them grow more confident as students and creatives has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

I’m truly grateful to the professors who have shaped my academic path. Professors like Laura Ricciardi, Ross Daly, Ndukwe Agwu, Virginia Breen, Colleen Duffy and Anna Ozbek helped me find the courage to embrace both my passions and desired career paths in journalism and law. They showed me that I don’t have to choose one over the other, and that one day, I may find a way to merge them in ways that serve others.

Graduating a year early has stirred a mixture of emotions. There are moments when I feel the weight of leaving behind a community that has been instrumental in my growth. Still, I leave knowing I’m part of something lasting. What we built at The Phoenix is a legacy rooted in creativity, care and collaboration, and I know it will continue to grow with each new contributor. I’m proud of what each contributor has brought to the publication, both before and during my time here, and I am excited to see how it evolves in the hands of those who follow.

Thank you for reading and for being part of my journey.

Sincerely,

Leni