The Connector covered the Women’s March in Boston earlier this year. (Taylor Carito/Connector)

Dear students,

My name is Taylor Carito and I am the Editor-in-Chief of The Connector. First off, I would like to welcome back all the upperclassmen students returning from summer vacation, as well as welcome all the new students coming to UMass Lowell for the first time. I can say wholeheartedly that this university was a wise choice for your higher education.

I am very excited to serve the student body as the new Editor-in-Chief, and I would like to make you aware of something that you can contribute to and make a difference.

Prior to this position I was the news editor, and through that role I, as well as other news writers, investigated problems that were happening both on-campus and off. As someone who is incredibly interested in media and the influence it has on the world, I would like to address you all as you begin or continue your journeys at UMass Lowell and through life. If there is one thing I have learned simply through my college years alone, it is that everyone serves a role in making a difference.

This to show you that this section I am writing in is your space. As the Editor-in-Chief, I advocate to make sure that the students are heard, and the editors and I have seen it make a difference firsthand. The Connector has covered hard-hitting stories such as the HESI changes last year, Edge Merrimack, the bee climate change, the travel ban, the election, adjunct faculty member benefits, peace rallies, and countless other things that make a difference and impact us all in some way even if we do not necessarily realize it.

It is for this reason I am writing this letter. I want to encourage you all to utilize this section. I leave this section for those who have something to say. Your voice has the opportunity to be truly heard and I want all of you to take it.

Your opinions and your stories matter to us. If there is something you want covered or something you want to see published, I encourage you to reach out. The Connector is your student newspaper.

I wish you all a tremendous start to the school year, and I can’t wait to see the differences we will make in both the university and the world.

Sincerely,

Taylor Carito

Editor-in-Chief