Xakota Espinoza

News Editor

Xakota Espinoza is news editor and a junior political communication major and psychology minor. Prior to becoming news editor, Espinoza served as deputy news editor as well as co-lifestyle editor.

During her time at the Beacon, Espinoza has covered a variety of topics ranging from student outcry over lack of rehearsal space, the altering of the Student Government Association constitution, and discussions with notable speakers such as activist Angela Davis.

Originally from Los Angeles, Espinoza began her journalism career at the age of 16 writing for Motocross Action Magazine and working as the advertising manager and staff writer for her high school newspaper.

Espinoza can be reached at xakota_espinoza@emerson.edu.
Follow @xakotaesp

Articles

"Awareness months" need a reality check

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

While there is nothing wrong with dedicating a four weeks to advocating for causes, the efforts are spent manufacturing a tidal wave of pink rather than promoting information that could help save lives.

Dining hall to see improvements in quality, sanitation

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

Following a recent inspection failure by the City of Boston’s Board of Health on Aug. 28, the Little Building dining hall will implement a number of new policies to improve quality and sanitation standards.

College to launch new fundraising campaign

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

Over the next two years, Emerson will develop plans to combine its fundraising projects through a comprehensive campaign aimed to revamp the college’s current strategies and increase philanthropic support.

Pelton announces master plan initiatives

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

As part of a proposal to amend the lack of space at the college, President M. Lee Pelton said new dining facilities, space for athletic programs, and new offices and classrooms are among the structural changes to be outlined for Emerson’s Boston campus.

SGA creates new account to hold all appeals funds

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

Student Government Association Treasurer Tanya Flink announced the creation of a new appeals account — which will be used to store funds later allocated to various student organizations — on Tuesday at the weekly SGA meeting.

Officer Scott Bornstein to depart Friday

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

In an email to Emerson faculty and staff, Director of Public Safety Robert Smith announced the departure of Deputy Director of Public Safety Scott Bornstein.

New VP of Diversity & Inclusion strives to promote excellence

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

On the wall of her office, Sylvia Spears has a large, marker-scribbled flow chart outlining what she believes to be the necessary ingredients for excellence, such as leadership and communication.

Quiyk continues climbing, wins E3 Expo

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

Following the sale of over two-thirds of their inventory November at the Quidditch World Cup, Quiyk Athletic Apparel founders Matt Lowe and Eric Wahl knew it was time to expand.

Emerson and Berklee connect via dance

Ivanha Paz / Beacon Correspondent and Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

Students anxiously looked on as Berklee College of Music alumna Katalin Matyus sashayed across the room. “Slow, quick, quick, slow,” said Matyus as she demonstrated a dance move during her four-hour lesson. Matyus — who studied performance and professional music — has been instructing free dance classes to Berklee and Emerson students twice a week since 2007.

Students begin to organize 2nd service trip to Nicaragua

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

In the center of the village of Chacraseca, Nicaragua stands an old, unused well. Senior Paige Trubatch, who volunteered in the town last summer with a group of Emerson students, said the well is the result of organizations pouring money into projects they can’t sustain.

The ups and downs of Mission Hill

Emily Murphy / Beacon Staff and Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

For junior Jordan Koluch, life on Mission Hill has its peaks and valleys. Her most notable gripe, she said, is the inconsistency of the E train on the Green Line, which she takes to school every day. “The E line sucks. Sometimes it takes me 45 minutes to get to school. Sometimes I’m standing in the street, waiting for the T in the torrential rain,” said the writing, literature, and publishing major. “There are beautiful days when some sort of spirit is smiling upon you and the T is there, and it [only] takes 20 minutes.”

Freshman forms secular organization

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

Stewart and two other freshmen spent seven hours on two afternoons last week tabling in Piano Row, inviting students to help develop an Emerson branch of the national non-profit Secular Student Alliance.

Central Living

Barbara Platts / Beacon Staff and Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

With spring soon approaching, rising juniors and seniors are beginning their search for off-campus dwellings for the next school year. According to an email from residence life sent to current sophomores, the projected availability for housing for the 2012-2013 academic year is approximately 200 beds. The estimate means that roughly 600 rising juniors will need to look elsewhere for housing.

Amendment passes

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

Over 700 students voted this week to approve the amended Student Government Association Constitution—which alters approximately 40 percent of the text in the document—resulting in the removal of the 20-year old clause guaranteeing funding to the student newspaper, The Berkeley Beacon.

Polls open; 11 positions and constitutional amendment up for vote

Heidi Moeller / Beacon Staff and Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

When polls open tonight at midnight, students will vote to fill 11 Student Government Association positions and choose whether to ratify proposed changes to the constitution that alter roughly 40 percent of the text.

Three vie for class of 2015 presidential post

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

In a roughly 45-minute long debate, three Class of 2015 presidential hopefuls sparred over how to engage the freshman class and improve dining options and security on campus.

Beacon funds left to student vote

Xakota Espinoza / Beacon Staff

Next week, students will vote on the newly revised Student Government Association constitution, which will eliminate guaranteed funding for The Berkeley Beacon.