Wow. That title next to my name is something I myself, a year ago, would have never even thought twice about, but here I am. Writing this to you all. And I could not be happier.
Some may know me as the girl who worked for the men’s basketball team or the girl who records podcasts, but I am here to introduce myself as the next Editor-in-Chief of the University Press.
My name is Angelina Martell, I am a Florida native, born and raised in Coral Springs, and I will be graduating from Florida Atlantic University in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in multimedia journalism and a minor in sports studies. I served as the UP’s Sports Reporter in Spring 2025 and Sports Editor in Fall 2025.
During my election panel, I heard the concern: “If she’s so sports-oriented, will she neglect other sections?” Fair question. Here’s my answer: sports journalism taught me how to uncover the stories hidden in plain sight, how to build a team that trusts one another, and how to perform under pressure when the stakes are high. Those skills don’t belong to just one section; they belong to every story we tell.
I am not here to turn the UP into “Sports Illustrated.” I am carrying on the legacy that the EICs, such as Sofia De La Espriella and Michael Cook, have built and restored within our publication. On staff for both of their terms, I had the opportunity to be a part of and learn from their leadership. Print was one of the main focuses they wished to bring back to the UP, and they made it happen; I, too, will continue the tradition and help to keep the print tradition alive for FAU.
That work continues. The UP will continue to publish at least two news stories and two sports stories each week, featuring a mix of recaps and investigative pieces. Within my staff, I am implementing a cross-section collaboration system where reporters from different beats work together on stories that impact multiple areas of campus life, ensuring that each section is equally covered.
Social media is also a vital tool in our publication process, where we post story releases, reporting segments, galleries, and more to share with the public. Coverage on both the main University Press Instagram account and our UP Sports account will be updated daily.
In the same way I care about sports, I also care about investigative reporting. More importantly, I aim to combine these two passions by focusing on investigative sports reporting related to name, image, and likeness, Title IX compliance, behind-the-scenes aspects of programs, and the overall business side of college athletics at FAU.
While my term as EIC begins today, I cannot take all of the credit without giving it to those who deserve it as well.
Without my editorial team behind me and my Managing Editor, Gabriela Quintero, none of this would be possible. We look forward to sharing what we have in store for FAU this semester with you all.
Do you have a story pitch, or are you interested in joining the University Press? Email us at [email protected].
Angelina Martell is the Editor-in-Chief for the FAU University Press. Email her at [email protected] or DM her on Instagram @angieemartell for more information on this and other stories.
