Our Staff
Kourtney Nering ('22)
Editor-in-chief
Kourtney Nering is the editor-in-chief at The Baylor Line. She concurrently works as a research associate with Baylor’s Sleep Neuroscience and Cognition Lab. Previously, Kourtney was a reporter for the Waco Tribune-Herald and a copy editor for the Baylor Lariat. Kourtney is the youngest person ever to serve as editor of The Baylor Line. She is from Springfield, Missouri. Kourtney, her husband Zachary, and their daughter Suzanna live just outside of Waco in Robinson, Texas.
Jonathon Platt ('16, MA '19)
Chief Executive Officer
Jonathon Platt is the chief executive officer at The Baylor Line. He previously served as editor-in-chief of The Line from 2019 through December 2023. He graduated from Baylor with two degrees in journalism and has worked with many media organizations, big and small, throughout his career. His master’s thesis was on how The Lariat covered the desegregation of Baylor’s campus. Jonathon hosts The Line’s flagship podcast, The Linecast, and regularly contributes profiles, history pieces, and news coverage. Serving as CEO of The Line makes Jonathon the youngest executive director of the oldest alumni organization in the greatest state in the union — a tagline his wife, Rachel Platt, says she will pay extra to fit on his headstone. Jonathon grew up in Kilgore, Texas. He and Rachel live just outside Waco in Clifton, Texas.
Grace Simpson ('25)
Staff Writer
Grace Simpson is a Staff Writer at The Baylor Line. Grace studied Religion, Professional Writing and Rhetoric, and History at Baylor University and graduated in May of 2025. Her writing has been featured at The Center for Public Justice, Good Faith Media, and Redeeming Babel as well as letters to the editor in The Waco Tribune and The New York Times. She particularly enjoys covering the intersection between faith, politics, and culture in her work. Grace and her husband are originally from Portland, Oregon but currently reside in Waco, Texas.
Paige Sullivan ('15)
Office Administrator
Paige Sullivan (’15) is the Office Administrator at The Baylor Line. A native Texan, Paige found her way back to Waco in recent years and feels “back home.” In addition to her role at The Baylor Line, Paige works in and around the food and beverage sphere as a hospitality curator. Prior to her current adventures, Paige worked in the Texas House of Representatives and fundraised for a medical non-profit.
Kassidy Tsikitas ('25)
Digital Editor
Kassidy Tsikitas is the Digital Editor at The Baylor Line. She brings a fresh and valuable skill set to the production, creation, and development of digital content for The Baylor Line. Kassidy studied Journalism, Advertising and Film, and Digital Media and graduated in May of 2025. Previously, Kassidy was a photographer for the Baylor Lariat and Baylor Athletics. She is from Bloomfield, New Jersey and currently resides in Waco, Texas.
Nina Um ('23, MA '25)
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Nina Um is the executive assistant to the CEO at The Baylor Line, ensuring projects and operations run smoothly con pasión y alegría. She is a Baylor graduate with a Master’s in Communication, through which she cultivated her love for cultural narratives and authentic storytelling. From teaching assistant to taekwondo instructor, social media manager, and content creator, Nina thrives in creative environments and brings a strong background in digital strategy and organizational support. Afuera del trabajo, you’ll find her sharing her cross-cultural adventures with her online community, sipping matcha, or serving at church.
Saphiana Zamora ('22)
Chief of Staff
Saphiana Zamora is the chief of staff at The Baylor Line. She brings years of nonprofit work, including cultivating strategic plans, ensuring streamlined workflows, and leading initiatives that enhance operational efficiency while supporting the CEO. She is a Baylor Journalism, Public Relations and New Media graduate and has previously worked for both nonprofit and corporate marketing organizations. From working five jobs as a senior at Baylor to serving as a dependable resource for all staff, members, and key partners, Saphi is integral to success. She lives in Waco with her only son, Jase, and her dog, Nova.
Students & Fellows
Jaslyn Heald ('26)
Baylor Line Fellow
Jaslyn Heald is a PR and Marketing intern at The Baylor Line. She is currently a Junior at Baylor University pursuing a BA in Journalism with a concentration in PR, and will graduate in December 2026. She is originally from Killeen, TX. She thrives when working on creative and passionate projects.
Kate Dusek ('29)
Baylor Line Fellow
Kate Dusek is a fourth generation Baylor bear originally from East Texas. She is a freshman pre-business and journalism major. She was editor of her high school’s newspaper and yearbook. She has also won state championships in news and feature writing along with two team state titles.
Renee Olateru ('28)
Baylor Line Fellow
Renee Olateru is a sophomore at Baylor University majoring in Health Science Studies on the pre-med track and a PR and Marketing Intern at The Baylor Line. A St. Louis,MO, native, Renee loves meeting new people, and visiting new places. She aspires to become a physician and is passionate about using social media as a platform to make healthcare information more accessible and understandable for the public. Renee hopes to combine her medical career with digital outreach to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
