The Daily Aztec

The Daily Aztec is a not-for-profit, independent student newspaper serving San Diego State University (SDSU) and the surrounding College Area in San Diego, California.

The Daily Aztec publishes on a regular basis when the university is in session (excluding holidays). It serves a student population of over 35,000 and a faculty and staff population of over 4,000. It is named for the university's mascot, the Aztec.

History
In the Fall of 1913, the student body of the then-San Diego Normal School voted to begin publishing a four (4) page weekly campus newspaper. The first edition premiered Nov. 26, 1913, as a four-page tabloid, under the name of the Normal News Weekly. In 1921, the paper was renamed the Paper Lantern. In 1960, the paper shifted to daily publication, becoming The Daily Aztec. Over the years the publication's frequency varied; as of Fall 2013, it appears twice a week. In 2017, the organization received a first place award for best college newspaper, from the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists. Several staff members also received individual awards.

Structure
Although previously connected with the SDSU journalism department, The Daily Aztec is now a program of Associated Students of San Diego State University. The paper is student-run and independent, but overseen by the Student Media Advisory Committee (SMAC). SMAC is composed of students, faculty and staff from SDSU and has both permanent and annual members; SMAC hires the editor in chief, approves the paper's budgets, and is responsible for ensuring that paper follows approved advertising and editorial policies.

Editors in chief
Daesha Gear - 2023-2024 Academic Year Gabriel Schneider - 2022-2023 Academic Year Catlan Nguyen - 2021-2022 Academic Year Brenden Tuccinardi – 2020-2021 Academic Year Bella Ross – 2019-2020 Academic Year Will Fritz – 2018-2019 Academic Year Andrew Dyer – 2017–2018 Academic Year Jacob Sisneros – 2016–2017 Academic Year Kelly Hillock – 2015–2016 Academic Year Monica Linzmeier – 2014–2015 Academic Year Leonardo Castaneda – 2013–2014 Academic Year Antonio Zaragoza – 2012–2013 Academic Year Allie Daugherty – 2011–2012 Academic Year Ruthie Kelly – 2010–2011 Academic Year Faryar Borhani – 2009–2010 Academic Year Amanda Strouse – 2008–2009 Academic Year Giselle Domdom – 2007–2008 Academic Year Ben Tambaschi – 2006–2007 Academic Year Raven Tyson – 2005–2006 Academic Year Joe Zarro – 2004–2005 Academic Year Jessica Zisko – 2002–2003 Academic Year Matthew A. Dathe – 1988–1989 Academic Year R. Andrew "Andy" Rathbone – 1986–1987 Academic Year, Author "Windows for Dummies"

A former editor in chief, Dave Hasemeyer (1978–79), went on to win a Pulitzer Prize in 2013 while working for Inside Climate News.