Tower Yearbook

The Tower Yearbook is Northwest Missouri State University's student publication, produced annually by a paid staff of writers, designers, and photographers. Over three consecutive volumes I contributed to and eventually led the full production of the book, each with a distinct visual identity, editorial theme, and scope of responsibility. Volume 100 "Highlights" was a commemorative 100th edition documenting pandemic-era campus life and the university's century of history. Volume 101 "Embodied" explored individuality and what it means to be part of the Northwest community. Volume 102 "This Is Northwest" celebrated student voice and the breadth of life at Northwest through vibrant and unique perspectives.

My role grew significantly across each volume. In Volume 100 I joined as a staff designer but contributed heavily to the design direction and theme from the start, bringing strong opinions and ideas early and designing numerous spread layouts throughout the book. In Volume 101 I was promoted to design editor, leading the design staff through teaching, feedback, assignments, and accountability while continuing to design and contribute creatively alongside them. By Volume 102 I had grown into the editor-in-chief role, responsible for the full creative and operational vision of the publication while still contributing my own design, photography, and writing. The biggest challenges were ones of leadership: managing a staff of 22, making executive decisions, and holding space for others to grow while pushing the work to be better than the year before. Volume 102 introduced four cover color options so students could choose a book that felt personal to them, a small but meaningful way to give the student body ownership over something that was made for them. We worked to find new ways to involve the student body, like reviving the Puppy Portraits event, bringing adoptable shelter dogs to campus for student portrait sessions, giving students a reason to participate while also supporting the local shelter. Coverage pushed into less visible corners of campus life with stories on student debt, bias in America, and recognition for arts and emerging programs. Design, photography, and writing were given more creative freedom than previous volumes, resulting in a book that felt genuinely distinct.