By: Em Acuña
The Honors College is excited to welcome Kaylie Morales to her new position as the editor of the Honors Wednesday Memo (HWM) beginning January 2025. Morales entered Appalachian State University and the Honors College as a Chancellor’s Scholar in the fall of 2023 and intends to graduate in May 2027. Morales is pursuing a major in digital journalism with a minor in criminal justice. On top of University Honors, Morales is pursuing departmental honors in the Department of Communication.
In her role as HWM editor, Morales works closely with Dr. Garrett McDowell and Dr. Vicky Klima, interim dean, to plan, compose, edit, and produce the Memo and its contents. Morales first learned about the HWM editor position in the Spring semester of 2024 and applied for the position in August of 2024. Shortly after, she began as the editor-in-training working under HWM editor Kistler Hunt. She credits Hunt for teaching her “the ins and outs of the memo” during her training period and making her feel comfortable transitioning from editor-in-training to editor.
Morales is a first-generation college student who quickly integrated herself into the Honors and University community when she got to App State. Before the HWM, Morales worked with The Appalachian on their opinion column, which she cited as an experience that helped her learn more about journalistic writing and the editing process. Morales also serves as the co-president of the Appalachian Honors Association and is a member of the Honors Vanguard. These opportunities help her feel connected to the community and confident when speaking to faculty, staff, and other students.
As the editor of the HWM, Morales is responsible for proposing, researching, writing, and editing, news spotlight stories. This involves interviews with Honors students, faculty, alumni, and staff. She creates, reviews, and updates multiple drafts of each story and the Memo in the editing process. Once those featured and the HWM editorial team have reviewed and approved each story and the Memo, they are ready to be published. Morales must work with the HWM team to ensure that each news story and the Memo properly reflect the Honors College mission and vision. When asked what she has learned since becoming involved in the HWM, Morales said, “I have learned a lot about the Honors College mission, as well as opportunities available on campus to strengthen our undergraduate careers…”
Morales brings a lot of her interests and skills to this position. In her own words, she related,
Many people describe me as enthusiastic—I hope that with this enthusiasm and position in the memo, I can connect more Honors students to the Memo and allow them to have the chance to learn more about academic and extracurricular opportunities offered here at App State!.
Morales hopes to one day work in fashion or music journalism with organizations such as Rolling Stone, Vogue, or Elle. Outside of academics, Morales’ creative hobbies of photography, drawing, and creative writing make her a good fit for this position. When asked about how this position aligns with her personal and professional goals, Morales shared, “Through working as an editor of the Memo, I hope I can cultivate my own writing style and skills…I hope I can prepare for any writing careers and opportunities presented to me in the future!”
Morales is in her second year in the Honors College at App State and intends to study abroad in Japan while an undergraduate. During her study abroad, Morales hopes to gather materials and experiences to apply to her thesis. Morales is making clear steps toward her future goals. Morales exemplifies the engagement and collaboration the Honors College encourages for all its students. The Honors College welcomes Morales with open arms. We are excited to see how she continues to make her mark through her position as editor of the HWM and in her other roles across the college and University. We are so excited to see what is to come for Morales and the Honors Wednesday Memo under her editorship.
Top photo features Kaylie Morales. Photo submitted.
