NILES — Sarah Culton has been named the managing editor of Leader Publications’ daily and weekly newspapers that includes Niles Daily Star, Dowagiac Daily News, Cassopolis Vigilant and the Edwardsburg Argus.

Culton, 23, started her employment at Leader Publications in May 2017, and has reported in Cassopolis, Edwardsburg, Buchanan and, most recently, Dowagiac. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Western Michigan University in 2017.

During college, Culton interned at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. She served as a staff reporter at WMU’s student newspaper, the Western Herald in 2015, and ended her time there in 2017 as news editor. She also served as a study abroad ambassador, and was part of an effort to launch a student group called Advocates for Refugees in Crisis aimed at welcoming refugees to the Kalamazoo area and raising awareness about their needs.

Now, Culton is looking forward to another challenge as she takes on responsibility as managing editor.

“I’ve always loved to learn, so I’m most excited to use this opportunity to gain experience and continue to grow as a journalist,” Culton said.

Ambrosia Neldon, general manager at Leader Publications and former managing editor, said she has enjoyed watching Culton’s growth thus far, and is excited to see how Leader Publications’ news products continue to grow under Culton’s leadership.

“Sarah is an excellent writer, has great news judgment and truly understands what it takes to make strong community newspapers,” Neldon said. “I look forward to seeing Sarah and the rest of our news team continue to make quality news products for our readers in Berrien and Cass counties.”

Culton said her passion for community journalism has expanded as she has become acclimated with southwest Michigan.

“I grew up in Port Huron, Michigan, a city more than four times the size of Dowagiac in terms of population,” Culton said. “However, in the less than two years I have spent in southwest Michigan, I have seen more passion in Niles, Edwardsburg, Cassopolis and Dowagiac than I did in my 18 years on the east side of the state.”

In her time at Leader, Culton said she has been moved by watching Cassopolis’ efforts during the Imagine Cass project, seeing the Niles community come together following historic flooding in February 2018, and watching a committee form to determine a solution for the area’s homeless.

“It’s an honor to report on issues such as these that mean so much to local communities,” she said.