The Hatchet’s staff elected junior Jenna Lee as the newspaper’s next editor in chief Saturday afternoon.

Lee, a double major in journalism and mass communication and political science from Palm Beach, Florida, will helm The Hatchet’s 123rd volume, which begins in May. 

Lee’s goals for the upcoming volume include bolstering recruitment, fostering community among staff and deepening relationships with campus stakeholders.

As a senior news editor for Volume 122, Lee directed coverage of University-wide budget cuts, changes to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and President Donald Trump’s move to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department and deploy the National Guard in D.C.

In Volume 121, Lee served as the assistant news editor for the Health & Research beat, reporting on federal research cuts at the University, D.C. public health and a new hospital that opened in southeast D.C. and is staffed by the Medical Faculty Associates. 

Outside the walls of The Hatchet townhouse, Lee has reported on housing policy, the RFK Stadium deal and D.C.’s fiscal year 2026 budget for Street Sense, a street newspaper. 

When not editing articles, Lee enjoys reading with her book club, watching documentaries and trying new restaurants across the District.

Lee will also become the president of Hatchet Publications, Inc., pending approval by The Hatchet’s Board of Directors.

The Hatchet is an editorially and financially independent student newspaper that has served the GW and Foggy Bottom community since 1904. It is the second-oldest D.C. newspaper after the Washington Post.