Meet the Staff
Carson Weaver
Editor-in-Chief
Carson Weaver is the Editor in Chief of The The University Star and has been with the organization since October 2021. Carson began his time at The Star as a sports reporter, where he covered games and wrote stories about Texas State athletics. He then became the sports editor in April 2022, where he was responsible for managing a staff of over ten sports reporters and editing content while still covering games and stories. In April 2023, Carson was named the Editor in Chief of The University Star. Now, he’s responsible for the editorial direction of the organization and managing his team of student editors. When Carson is not in the newsroom, he can be found watching baseball, playing Immaculate Grid or shredding one of his many guitars.
Nichaela Shaheen
Managing Editor
Nichaela Shaheen is the managing editor at The University Star and has been with The Star since May 2022. She transferred to Texas State University from Del Mar College where she was the Editor in Chief of The Foghorn while earning her associate degree in public relations and advertising. She joined The Star as a news contributor and worked her way to news editor where she was responsible for covering developing stories and giving rise to events that encapsulate the heartbeat of San Marcos and Texas State University. In this role of managing editor, she oversees the editorial process and works closely with staff members and editors. Nichaela is a current mass communications and business administration senior. When she is not editing stories or in the newsroom, Nichaela can be found enjoying a cup of black coffee, painting or exploring the Texas Hill Country.
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.
Hope Monte
Engagement Editor
Hope Monte is the engagement editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the fall of 2022. As engagement editor, Hope 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, Hope was an engagement specialist since her freshman year of college. Hope is currently a sophomore studying journalism and minoring in Spanish. When not in the newsroom, you will find her going on walks with her pug Jupiter or getting an early morning workout.
Marisa Nunez
Life & Arts Editor
Marisa Nunez is the life and arts editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since October 2021. As the life and arts editor, Marisa leads the life and arts section by editing stories, conducting section meetings and ensuring the life and arts section is covering compelling feature stories throughout Texas State and San Marcos communities. Prior to becoming editor, Marisa was a contributor and reporter for life and arts. Marisa is currently a junior majoring in electronic media with a minor in writing. When Marisa is not in the newsroom, you can find her with her cat, writing poetry or baking.
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 at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. 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.
Abigail Taylor
Public and Internal Relations Director
Abigail Taylor is the public relations director at The University Star and has been with the organization since August 2022. As public relations director, Abigail orchestrates philanthropic, social, and organizational events as well as write press releases. Before becoming the public relations director, Abigail was a public relations intern and then the public relations assistant director. Abigail is currently a senior majoring in public relations and minoring in business administration. In her spare time, she likes to play pickle ball, go to the river, and watch movies.
Blake Leschber
News Editor
Blake Leschber is the news editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since fall 2022. As news editor, Blake oversees the news section and ensures that articles are being covered timely and accurately. Before becoming the news editor, Blake worked as the assistant news editor, news reporter and news contributor. Blake has a passion for timely stories that impact the community and breaking news. Blake is currently a sophomore majoring in public relations and minoring in business administration. When not in the newsroom, you can find him taking walks, at a concert or watching Netflix.
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.
The reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Jordan McCloud, transferred to Texas State on Tuesday, March 26th. McCloud said this past Saturday’s spring game went well, even after facing adversity early in the day. “I thought it was...
