Fourth Estate
The co-editor-in-chiefs for the Spring 2025 semester talk plans, stories and taking a leap
BY NAWAAL NACKERDIEN AND SAAHITI KIRAN CHAMALA, EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
For the Spring 2025 semester, Saahiti Kiran Chamala and Nawaal Nackerdien step into their roles as co-editors-in-chief of Fourth Estate. Both bring years of experience in student media and a deep commitment to campus journalism. With their combined leadership, they aim to strengthen Fourth Estate as a trusted source of news while fostering a dynamic and inclusive space for student voices.
Chamala and Nackerdien plan to expand the newspaper’s reach, ensuring that it not only informs but also engages the Mason community in meaningful discussions. Their vision centers on upholding journalistic integrity, supporting student reporters, and increasing opportunities for collaboration across campus. Regardless of major or background, they want students to see Fourth Estate as a platform to develop their skills and share their perspectives.
This semester, the duo is committed to cultivating a newsroom culture that values openness, creativity, and strong storytelling. They encourage writers, photographers, and aspiring journalists to contribute and become part of Fourth Estate’s legacy.
To share more about their individual journeys and aspirations, personal statements from Chamala and Nackerdien are provided below.
Students interested in joining Fourth Estate or learning more about student media can visit the newsroom in The Student Media Office located in The Hub’s lowest level, next to the mailroom. For general inquiries, reach out via email at ivestate4@gmail.com.
Saahiti Kiran Chamala/Fourth Estate
Hey there, Patriots.
Welcome to Fourth Estate! We aren’t just another school newspaper. Yes, we cover the big stuff—campus news, sports, important updates—but we also cover the stories that actually make Mason, Mason. The random guy who’s been playing the same guitar riff outside the JC for three years? We’ll write about him. The underground food hacks at Southside? We’ve got those too. The passionate debates over which Starbucks on campus is superior? We’re on it.
My name is Saahiti Kiran Chamala, and as the co-editor-in-chief, I have the absolute privilege of leading this wildly talented, slightly sleep-deprived, and ridiculously creative team of student journalists. I started at Fourth Estate as a writer with the simple goal of covering the best food spots near campus, but I stayed because I found a community. A loud, opinionated, hilarious, and driven group of people who believe that storytelling matters.
That’s the heart of Fourth Estate: stories. Stories about students, about professors, about the wild, beautiful mess of college life. We’re here to document it all—the funny, the frustrating, the inspiring, and the downright bizarre.
And we want you to be part of it.
Whether you’re a writer, photographer, artist, designer, or just someone with a lot to say, there’s a place for you at Fourth Estate. We welcome individuals of all majors, experience levels, and backgrounds. If you have a story to tell, we are here to help you tell it.
This issue is all about new beginnings. New students, new ideas, new perspectives. Whether you’re just starting your Mason journey or deep into your final year, there’s something exciting about a fresh start.
So here’s to new stories, new voices, and a semester full of things worth writing about. Let’s make it a good one.
Saahiti Kiran Chamala, ‘27
Editor-in-Chief
Nawaal Nackerdien/Fourth Estate
I have never quite been sure what track to take. As a Creative Writing major, running a newspaper was certainly not one of them.
I came into my first semester at Mason as a transfer student with wide eyes and too many choices before me. It was Fall, and some of these choices fell like leaves around me. I am glad that joining Fourth Estate was one of the leaves that I picked up. In the news editor position, I prioritised authentic, timely news. I endeavoured to help writers grow their stories to the best possible form for publishing. When I ran for co-editor-in-chief, I was uncertain but resolved. I wanted Fourth Estate to be a publication that I could leave a positive mark on for the future.
This semester, I will be working alongside Saahiti to bring the Mason community stories that are relevant and informative. I plan to encourage the growth of our writers’ and foster a community that brings out the best of students’ abilities.
I encourage everyone to take the leap. Write the article, join the club. You can only advance if you let yourself do so.
I hope to bloom alongside you all this spring semester,
Nawaal Nackerdien
Editor-in-Chief
