Saahiti Kiran Chamala/Fourth Estate

Elevating Voices, Exploring Stories, Building Community

BY SAAHITI KIRAN CHAMALA, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Every newsroom has its own heartbeat. At Fourth Estate, ours is a mix of late-night edits, passionate debates, and the collective drive to tell stories that matter. This semester, I have the honor of leading as Editor-in-Chief — and with that comes both responsibility and possibility.

My name is Saahiti Kiran Chamala, a junior majoring in Finance on the pre-Law track. I have been part of Fourth Estate since my freshman year, starting out as a writer, then stepping into editing roles and now leading the team. What has kept me here is not just the stories we tell — it’s the community that is built around them.

Fourth Estate has always been more than a campus publication. It is where students learn the power of their voices, where difficult questions are asked and where the Mason community finds pieces of itself reflected online. My goal this semester is simple: to ensure that we don’t just report on Mason, but that we represent it — its energy, its diversity, its complexity.

In an age when news is consumed faster than it is created, student journalism reminds us to slow down and really listen — to explore the stories behind the headlines and show not only what happened, but why it matters. That’s the standard we’re setting for ourselves this year.

I am fortunate to work alongside a dedicated team of editors, writers and creatives who pour themselves into this work. Together, we will be exploring new ways to engage readers — through our website, social media platforms and conversations that extend beyond the screen. We will continue to cover the pressing issues, but we will also spotlight the everyday stories that make this campus uniquely Mason.

If you’re reading this and wondering if there’s a place for you in this work, the answer is yes. Journalism thrives on fresh perspectives, and we want yours. Whether you have experience or not; if you are curious, passionate or simply have a story to tell, there is space for you here.

This semester isn’t just about producing content — it’s about strengthening a tradition. Fourth Estate has been Mason’s student voice for 62 years and every new piece adds to that legacy. My hope is that when you scroll through our site or see us on your feed, you don’t just find articles — you find a community in conversation with itself.

Here’s to a semester of bold stories, meaningful dialogue and voices that won’t go unheard.

Saahiti Kiran Chamala, Editor-in-Chief
schamala@gmu.edu