Dear Daily Nexus reader,

Welcome to the 2025–26 school year — a year already marked by transformation, both on our campus and across the nation. UC Santa Barbara has welcomed a new chancellor and a record-breaking class of students, while beyond Isla Vista, the political landscape is shifting in ways that test the very freedoms we rely on as journalists. But first, let us officially introduce ourselves as the 2025-26 Co-Editors in Chief of the Daily Nexus. We’d like to each share a bit about what the Nexus means to us — and what it means to lead at this moment.

Shayla’s story

I first joined the Nexus as a production intern in the fall of my sophomore year and have collaborated with many sections, helping create the crossword, design infographics, write articles and more. I’m a fourth-year psychological & brain sciences and sociology double major from Fairfield, California, who’s always had a passion for journalism. 

The Daily Nexus is composed of creative, passionate and driven individuals who share common interests and goals –  and I am so grateful to have become part of the Nexus family. I’ve made some of the most amazing friends, helped shape campus life and supported the Santa Barbara community in many ways. With my experience on the production team, I truly learned the value of teamwork, consistently brainstorming, problem-solving, organizing and shaping the layout of the newspaper. 

As Anusha and I were elected as the 2025-26 Co-Editors in Chief of the Nexus in April, we took on great responsibilities, helping orchestrate the functions of the largest, student-run newspaper on campus. Seeing as now Anusha and I review the quality, content, production, and perception of the Daily Nexus, we take pride in how far we’ve come as individuals. From working behind the scenes (and screens) to leading the Nexus throughout this school year, Anusha and I will continue to advocate for our community while editing, writing, reporting or reviewing – ensuring that we accurately and efficiently inform the UCSB student body and surrounding community.

As college students and leaders on campus, we will continue to uphold our responsibilities to strengthen our community, advocate for marginalized groups and promote transparency across the 805 area.

Anusha’s story

The hum of printers, the clatter of keyboards and the low buzz of conversation long after midnight — that’s how I first came to know the Daily Nexus. I’m a fourth-year Environmental Studies major who grew up between St. Louis, Missouri, and Loma Linda, California — two places that taught me to see how environment and community shape one another. Back then, the title “Editor in Chief” felt impossibly far away — meant for someone louder, more certain, more sure of their place in the newsroom. But as the years went on, I realized leadership here isn’t about having the last word. It’s about listening — to our writers, our readers and the community that shapes every story we tell.

The Nexus has always reflected the heartbeat of UC Santa Barbara: restless, thoughtful and alive. It’s a place where students come to make sense of the world beyond the cliffs of Isla Vista, to hold institutions accountable and to tell the quieter stories that define life on this campus. Whether it’s late-night edits that stretch past 3 a.m. or staff meetings filled with ideas and laughter, this paper has reminded me that journalism, at its core, is an act of care.

We’re reporting in a moment when trust in the media feels fragile, and misinformation moves faster than truth. Across the country, journalism is being tested — not just in its accuracy, but in its capacity for empathy. That challenge is our opportunity. As student journalists, we get to model what dialogue can look like when it’s grounded in curiosity rather than certainty, and in conversation rather than conflict.

At the Nexus, that means telling stories that stretch beyond what we already know. It means reporting on the environmental stakes of Sable Offshore, the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) in our neighboring communities and the quieter issues that shape daily life in Isla Vista — all with the same care and curiosity. My hope for this year is to build a newsroom that welcomes disagreement without hostility and engagement without judgment — a space where truth feels like a shared pursuit.

Student Journalism in the face of a failing First Amendment

As we reaffirm the ideals of the Nexus, we can’t ignore the challenges confronting journalism beyond our newsroom walls. Across the country, the same freedoms that allow us to report, critique and question are being tested — and their effects are felt even here at UCSB.

In January of this year, Donald Trump became the 47th President of the United States, striking fear and uncertainty across communities. A number of policies outlined in Project 2025 have been enacted by his 209 executive orders signed to date. 

During Trump’s first term in 2017, he signed two executive orders, 13767 and 13768, specifically targeting the Latine and undocumented population. UCSB is not only home to a diverse community, but is also a Hispanic-serving institution, surrounded by predominantly-Latine communities in Goleta and Santa Barbara. While Governor Gavin Newsom is resisting immigration crackdowns in California, I.C.E. sightings are still prevalent and ever-increasing.  This past summer, we launched the Daily Nexus I.C.E. Sighting Tracker in response to increased I.C.E. activity in the Goleta and Santa Barbara area. We aim to keep the tracker updated daily throughout this year.

Focusing on the recent attacks on the press, including National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Executive Order 14290 aims to “fund only fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage.” As Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show was recently canceled indefinitely for airing comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, First Amendment rights were threatened. While Kimmel’s show is now back on the air, in a time when talk-show hosts, journalists and Americans were once protected while expressing their five freedoms, we are now consistently censored and scrutinized for sharing opposing views. 

In addition to attacks on the press, copious payment requirements for H-1B and Gold Card visas detrimentally impact international students. Not to mention, the proposed defunding of essential programs within scientific research, the restricted federal funding of Planned Parenthood, and attempts to ban transgender athletes from collegiate athletics heavily impact all corners of our community. 

In times of fear, frustration, uncertainty and turmoil, we must remain strong and committed to our values, serving our community with transparency and understanding. In the face of such blatant attacks on fundamental freedoms, leading a nearly century-old student-run, independent newspaper seems daunting. We feel the great responsibility of not only providing unbiased, timely and relevant news to every member of our community, but also the responsibility of highlighting all student voices, perspectives and opinions. In a time where freedom of speech and freedom of the press are being infringed on at every level, the Daily Nexus is committed to these values now more than ever. 

In the months ahead, our newsroom will continue to evolve — shaped by new writers, new challenges and a shared belief in the power of truth-telling. We’re proud to lead this paper through uncertainty, knowing that every story we tell is a small act of resistance against silence.

Thank you for reading, questioning and engaging. Together, we’ll keep building a community where every voice matters and where the pursuit of truth remains our strongest form of freedom.

— Shayla Prasad & Anusha Singh

Co-Editors in Chief, Daily Nexus

A version of this article appeared on p.20 of the October 9, 2025 edition of the Daily Nexus.