Steve Wildsmith is the faculty advisor for The Highland Echo and an adjunct instructor at Maryville College. A professional journalist for 25 years before transitioning to communications, he worked as a reporter, news editor, assistant city editor, managing editor, executive editor, entertainment editor, columnist and freelance journalist at newspapers in Tennessee and South Carolina, and his work has earned numerous Tennessee Press Association and East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists awards. He joined the Maryville College staff in 2022 and currently serves as assistant director of Marketing & Communications, where he writes and edits news and feature content, edits the College's alumni magazine and helps tell the story of the College through numerous other methods. He took over as faculty advisor of the Echo and began teaching journalism at the college in 2023, the same year he was inducted into the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame.

I’m Maddux (’27), and I have been writing for the Echo since my first semester at MC. I am excited to write and edit some hard-hitting stories, and hope students will read the paper and stay informed about campus news. I am involved in the Concert Choir and Small Ensembles, as well as the Philosophy Club, and I work in the SLC! I am a Finance/Accounting and Sociology double major, and I will happily take any of your book/movie/tv show recommendations! Please feel free to pitch story ideas or write a “letter to the editor” in response to an article. Send to [email protected]

Hi, my name is Addison (’28)! I’m majoring in Writing/Communications with a minor in International Studies, with hopes to advance my career as a traveling journalist. When I’m not on campus, you can find me cozying up with a good book or writing a new story at our local coffee shops around the area! I’m a huge film nerd and love to talk cinema, as well as capture photos with my digital camera when I’m traveling the globe!

Hello, I’m Emma (’28) and this will be my third semester writing for the Echo. I’m majoring in Design with a minor in Communications. I’m so excited to implement my design skills into the Echo, and also gain more firsthand experience! I am a member of the MC cheerleading team, and I have loved getting to cheer on the Scots. Some things I enjoy outside of school are line dancing, being outside, thrifting, making art and watching films/TV shows. I’m pumped to work with the Echo again this year, so stay tuned for some awesome stories!

I’m Ansley (’28), I am an English Literature major with a minor in Writing Communication, and I enjoy covering campus and community news while continuing to grow as a writer and editor.

I’m Carrie (’28), a Writing/Communication major and sociology minor! I have been writing for The Highland Echo since my second semester. Writing is most definitely my favorite activity; I am very interested in writing journalistically as a career! Outside of classes, you can find me building my music collection (consisting of CDs, records and cassettes) or ordering a chai latte with oat milk at Vienna or Beard Brothers. I am beyond excited to work closely with Echo members, hopefully seeing many familiar and new faces!

I’m Dakota (’28), a junior majoring in Writing Communications and Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. When I’m not writing for the Echo, I’m usually with my friends, reading, drinking coffee, spending time with my cat Cleo, or cheering on the Scots.

I'm Catie (’27), a Psychology major with minors in Criminal Justice and Deaf Studies. I am excited to be joining the Echo! I am also in Concert Choir and Small Ensembles, ASL Club, Study Abroad Ambassadors. This is also my fifth semester as a group study leader with the Academic Success Center. In my free time, I like to read, knit, crochet, bike, and play piano.