A Frank W. Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism Project
About the Authors
Sarah Hayner
Sarah Hayner is graduating with a master's degree in journalism in Dec. 2021, from the University of North Texas. She graduated with her bachelor's in communications in May 2020 from Tarleton State University. When she’s not going to school or working, she is catching up on some much-needed sleep.
Peyton McCutchen
Peyton McCutchen will be graduating with her master's degree in journalism - PR in April 2021. She has been a student in the Mayborn School of Journalism for the last five years and is excited to finally be entering the world of public relations, hopefully doing PR for nonprofits. She never considered herself a writer, but after completing two journalism-based degrees, she is beginning to accept the title.
Marcus Sykes
Marcus Sykes was born and raised in the Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana. He relocated to Dallas in August 1992 and has 25 years of customer service and retail experience in various industries. After a traumatic brain injury in March 2013 resulted in his loss of vision, he spent seven months in Austin at the Cris Cole Rehabilitation Center for the Blind learning how to adapt everyday skills to his new challenges.
Marcus transferred to the University of North Texas as an undergraduate in the Mayborn College of Journalism in fall 2016. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism with a minor in LGBT studies. He began his graduate studies at the Mayborn Graduate Institute at the University of North Texas in fall 2019. He is a Mayborn Scholar.
His goal is to become the first blind reporter, anchor, or producer in American television history. He would also like to teach at the university level one day.
Maggie Toerner
Maggie Toerner labels herself as a creative. She has been creating art in all forms since she was a child. In undergrad, she completed a degree in marketing and a minor in advertising. However, after graduating she decided to continue her education by pursuing a Master of Journalism with a focus on advertising and PR. Her dream is to work as an account planner at an ad agency.
Kate Pezzulli
Before coming to the Mayborn, Kate received her undergraduate degree in history, but she found journalism, particularly solutions-oriented journalism, to be fascinating. Between degrees, she started a screen-printing company, travelled the world playing roller derby, and got a 33-foot sailboat. She enjoys narrative writing and hopes to one day become a journalism professor.
Brielle Thomas
My name is Brielle Thomas, and I am a second-year graduate student pursuing a master’s in journalism (MJ) at the University of North Texas. I will receive my degree in May 2021. I am from Houston, Texas, and I received my bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Stephen F. Austin State University in May 2019.
Brianna Adams
Made in New York. UNT Mayborn School of Journalism double alum on the way to law school.
Cydne Robinson
Cydne Robinson is a fun-loving girl who loves to tell stories. She is currently a second-year graduate student at the University of North Texas and pursuing a master’s degree. She has been attending UNT and a part of the Mayborn School of journalism for five years. Cydne is from Lewisville, Texas, and currently works in Waco, Texas a news producer for 25 News. When she’s not working, Cydne loves to take time for herself and go exploring, work out, read, eat, or binge-watch TV shows and movies. Cydne will receive her degree in August 2021 and is excited to see where journalism takes her.
Fernando Muñoz
Fernando Muñoz has been a dedicated journalist for more than 15 years, having been the General Editor for Latin America with the Spanish news agency (EFE) as well as working as a correspondent at Agency France Press (AFP), the German Press Agency (DPA), and the Chinese news agency Xinhua, among multiple freelance posts.
His primary areas of research and writing are Latin American news items, trade agreements, and political issues.
Muñoz holds a BA in Political Science from the Colombian National University and currently, he is a UNT Mayborn School of Journalism student.
Megan Martinez
Megan Martinez is a Master of Journalism student at the University of North Texas. She previously attended the University of Texas at Austin where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English. She is a writer, dog-lover, and on rare occasions ,a beginner pianist if no one is around.
Rebecca Najera
Rebecca Najera is a graduate student at the Frank W. Mayborn Institute of journalism and will graduate with a Master of Journalism in April 2021. During her time at the Mayborn, she worked for the North Texas Daily in multiple editor and reporting positions and was a Mayborn Scholar. After graduation, she will be covering race and equity at the Oklahoma Watch as a Report for America Corps member.
Sean Riedel
Sean Riedel is originally from New Braunfels, Texas, and has been living in Denton for six years. He will graduate with a master’s degree in journalism and public relations in April 2021 and previously earned a B.A. in journalism, from the University of North Texas. A lover of television and film, he can be found bingeing programs for hours on end in his free time. An occasional writer, he also enjoys thinking about stories he may or may not eventually write.