About Us
The Tacoma Ledger is the independent weekly collegiate newspaper of the University of Washington Tacoma. All content is generated by Ledger-employed student journalists currently enrolled at UWT. The Ledger strives to adhere to student interests and local news. UWT Administration, student organizations, and students and clubs exercise no editorial control over the publication. Funding is provided through the UW Tacoma Services and Activities Fee and supplemented by advertising revenue.
Our Mission Statement: The Tacoma Ledger is committed to presenting high-quality student news to inform and engage with the University of Washington Tacoma community. We strive to represent student voices while creating a professional environment in which student writers can hone their journalism skills and express themselves.
EDITORS
Michaela Ely – Editor In Chief
Michaela Ely is a senior at UWT majoring in Writing Studies and has begun her Master’s in Education program. She hopes to eventually teach high school English and drive more students to appreciate the subject.
MJ Cameron – Managing Editor
MJ is a junior at UWT and is majoring in Communications. MJ is hoping to pursue a career in digital marketing or journalism. He started at TCC as a senior in high school in 2023 and completed his Associate of Arts degree in June 2025. Outside of school, he enjoys exploring Washington with his partner and his family, creating digital art on photoshop, and dancing to hip hop or tap.
CONTENT TEAM
Justen Bertelsen – Content Manager
As a student at UWT, Justen prides himself in his studies. As Content Manager, he ensures that the news is posted every week. He is also responsible for editing and producing The Ledger’s podcast: Off The Record, every week. In the limited free time he allocates himself he enjoys fast cars, football, flannels, and loud music.
Eon Hu – Content Assistant
Eon Hu is a student at UW Tacoma who supports The Ledger through social media curation and content coordination. As a Content Assistant, he helps curate Instagram posts and assists with scheduling articles to ensure timely and engaging coverage of campus news. Eon enjoys working at the intersection of storytelling and digital media, helping extend The Ledger’s reach on all platforms. Outside of The Ledger, he is involved in campus activities and has an interest in media strategy and content organization.
Riya Shankar – Visuals Assistant
Riya Shankar is a Master’s of Computer Science major at UW Tacoma and serves as a Visuals Assistant for The Ledger. In this role, she supports the publication by helping shape visual storytelling across platforms, assisting with media selection, layout coordination, and digital presentation. Riya is interested in how visuals enhance narrative and reader engagement, and she enjoys contributing to the creative side of campus journalism. Beyond The Ledger, she stays active on campus and is curious about the intersection of technology, design, and media.
REPORTERS
Huzaifa Afzal – News Reporter
As a Master of Cybersecurity & Leadership grad student. He is also an international Husky. Syed Huzaifa Bin Afzal covers campus life, tech, and entertainment for The Ledger. He’s especially interested in real-world AI, gaming, and all things tech. Before UWT, he spent 6+ years in cloud and DevOps, building what works and fixing what doesn’t (mostly on AWS). Outside reporting, he enjoys exploring new places, hiking, and playing soccer and volleyball.
Ella Walken – Arts & Entertainment Reporter
Rae Watkins – Opinion Reporter