Meet the Staff
Marisa Nunez
Editor-in-Chief
Marisa Nuñez is the editor-in-chief at The University Star and has been with the organization since fall 2021. As editor-in-chief, Marisa overseas the editorial direction, content strategy and the look and feel of the organization. Before becoming editor-in-chief, Marisa previously worked as the life and arts editor, a life and arts reporter and contributor. Marisa is currently a senior majoring in electronic media and minoring in writing. When not in the newsroom, Marisa can be found baking, reading or hanging out with her cat Tia.
Blake Leschber
Managing Editor
Blake Leschber is the managing editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since fall 2022. As managing editor, Blake oversees the editorial process and works alongside all editors and directors to ensure all processes are running smoothly. Before becoming the managing editor, Blake previously worked as the news editor, a news reporter and contributor. Blake is currently a junior majoring in public relations and minoring in international studies. When not working in the newsroom, Blake can be seen at a concert, on a run or playing one of his many records.
Sarah Manning
Design Editor
Sarah Manning is the design editor of The University Star and has been with the organization since fall of 2022. As the design editor, Sarah manages all illustrators, is in charge of keeping the design consistent throughout the paper, designing the front page and sending the paper to Printing Herald to be printed every Tuesday. Prior to becoming editor, Sarah was a page designer, part time illustrator, multimedia reporter, and dabbled in a few life and arts stories. Sarah is currently a sophomore majoring in communication design. When not in the newsroom, you will find her shopping and collecting dolls (Monster High is her favorite), taking photos, or in her room fighting against Adobe Illustrator.
Diego Medel
Engagement Editor
Diego Medel is the engagement editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the spring of 2024. As engagement editor, Diego oversees the engagement specialists to ensure all social platforms are constantly updated while working to create unique content to highlight Texas State and Star community. Prior to becoming editor, Diego was voted engagement specialist of the year by his peers. Diego is currently a senior studying Digital Media innovations and minoring in Anthropology . When not in the newsroom, you will find him producing music or playing computer games.
Carlene Ottah
Life & Arts Editor
Carlene Ottah is the life and arts editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the fall of 2022. As life and arts editor, she writes, assigns and edits stories about the Texas State and San Marcos communities. She began working at The Star as a life and arts contributor and would become a life and arts reporter in spring 2023. She also became a multimedia reporter. Carlene is a mass communication graduate starting in the fall of 2024. She majored in electronic media as an undergraduate student. When not in the newsroom, she can be found exploring the Texas State campus or watching a Netflix series.
Sri Naga Sri Govvala
Digital Product Developer
Sri Naga Sri Govvala has been with The University Star since the spring of 2023 as the digital product developer. Sri is pursuing her graduate studies majoring in Computer Science and previously majored in Information Technology. In her role as the Digital Product Developer, She collaborates with the Editorial board to design, identify, and resolve issues across The Star’s website and app, ensuring a seamless user experience. For fun, she loves hiking, traveling with friends, or cooking.
Carlota Pulgar
Public and Internal Relations Director
Carlota Pulgar is the Public and Internal Relations Director of The University Star and has been a part of The Star’s since fall 2022. Prior to being director, she worked as a news reporter and contributor and as the assistant Public and Internal relations director. She leads a group of PIR specialists to help create campaigns and events, to facilitate internal relations within the organization and public relations with the San Marcos community. When not working, you can find her at the river, going on hikes, getting coffee, and going on day trips.
Lucciana Choueiry
News Editor
Lucciana Choueiry is the news editor of The University Star, and has been a part of the news section since spring 2023. She leads a group of reporters to produce solid, timely coverage that is reflective of the paper’s Texas State and San Marcos audience. Lucciana was the recipient of Texas State’s 2023 Presidential Upper Level Scholarship and the Stuart Lang Scholarship from the Headliner’s Foundation. When she’s not writing or editing, Lucciana is probably having a fun night with her roommates, in search of the next good book or planning her next trip.
Rhian Davis
Opinion Editor
Rhian Davis is the opinions editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the fall of 2022. As the opinions editor, Rhian manages the opinions staff and edits all content. Prior to becoming the editor, Rhian was a contributor for both sports and opinions and she was the assistant opinions editor. Rhian is currently a sophomore majoring in journalism. When Rhian is not in the newsroom, she enjoys playing her guitar, hanging out with friends and listening to Taylor Swift.
David Cuevas
Sports Editor
David Cuevas is the sports editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the fall of 2022. As sports editor, David administers the sports section by assigning and editing stories about Texas State sports and athletes and ensuring game coverage and other sports related news is covered promptly and accurately. Prior to becoming editor, David worked as the assistant sports editor, sports reporter and sports contributor and is also a contributor for the opinions section. David is a lifelong sports fan who enjoys watching, discussing and writing about sports. David is currently a senior majoring in journalism. When not in the newsroom, you can find him watching his favorite sports teams, playing video games or hanging out with his friends and dog.
Kobe Arriaga
Multimedia Editor
Kobe Arriaga is the multimedia editor for The University Star and has been with the organization since the fall of 2022. As multimedia editor, Kobe manages the photography aspect of the newspaper and ensures the visuals for all stories and sporting events are covered in its entirety. Prior to becoming editor, Kobe started off as a sports contributor before ultimately being promoted to reporter status, and further achieving 2023 Sports Reporter of the year in just his first year with The Star. Kobe loves basketball and MMA and aspires to become a sports commentator in the future. Kobe is currently a senior majoring in journalism. When not in the newsroom, you can find him playing basketball at The REC Center or local park, playing online games with his friends and family, or hanging out around town with his closest friends.