Barnett joins EDC

Staff Report

A new face can be seen at El Defensor Chieftain’s office and around town. Regina Barnett of Array has joined EDC as a fellow in the New Mexico Local News Program (NMLN).

“The fellowship program is an amazing resource for rural and small community newspapers like the Chieftain,” EDC editor Jessica Carranza said. “We are grateful to be assigned a fellow and to have someone like Regina join our editorial staff. I certainly appreciate the energy she has brought to the EDC office, and I hope our year together has a positive, lasting impact on her.”

Barnett is a Western New Mexico University student working on a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in English, writing and history.

“My writing professor had sent me the application and asked that I apply for it. She was excited because it had to do with rural journalism, which is what I do already.” Barnett said, “It is also a huge opportunity to be granted a fellowship, and I am always looking for ways to learn new skills and meet new people. My son is older now, so it seems like a good time for me to be able to try out new things and expand my resume.”

Barnett said she was able to graduate from undergrad with a double major in both English and history. She was also on the dean’s list multiple times. She was also hired in the humanities department as a tutor for the Writing Center, where she helps other students with their writing.

“I want to expand my skills in both writing and photography. I also want to meet new people and have more experiences. I love history and small towns and look forward to learning more about the area.” Barnett said.

In an NMLN press release, the fellowship and internship program was announced as the largest cohort, featuring eight fellows and eleven interns for 2025-2026.

“It’s an honor to be part of bringing up the next generation of journalists,” Carranza said.

The program, housed at the University of New Mexico’s Department of Communication and Journalism, was founded in 2019 to strengthen local journalism, support new journalists, and encourage graduates to remain in New Mexico. Since 2019, organizers have placed 63 emerging journalists in 35 newsrooms in 13 cities.

“This talented group of young reporters will give a major boost of energy to news organizations across the state,” said Program Manager Gwyneth Doland, a professor of practice in journalism at UNM. “I’m especially grateful for faculty at NMSU and WNMU who helped us more than double the number of applicants from outside Albuquerque.”