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.
Students & Fellows
Juliana Vasquez ('28)
Student Writer
Juliana Vasquez is a Student Writer at the Baylor Line majoring in Communication and Political Science with a News Editorial minor. At Baylor she is involved in various student organizations and works in the Department of Multicultural Affairs as a Multi-Media Intern, with each of her involvements allowing her the opportunity to combine her love of content creation, writing, and public advocacy. Outside of Baylor, Juliana can be found sifting through her cookbooks, aimlessly driving around, or playing with her cat, Emi. After graduation, Juliana hopes to pursue a career where she can help others through public advocacy or the disbursement of objective and reliable news content.
