We recently connected with Kelsea Frobes and have shared our conversation below.

Kelsea, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Before becoming a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, I had hoped to get involved with our student-run newspaper “The Nevada Sagebrush,” but wasn’t exactly sure how to do so. My freshman year of college, I became busy with other jobs, school, and extracurriculars. Working for the Sagebrush was always in the back of my mind, but I never knew when my time to join would be. As my senior year crept closer, I slowly began to think that I had missed the opportunity to pursue this dream.

When the job for executive editor at the Sagebrush was posted shortly before the end of my junior year, I wanted it- and I mean REALLY wanted it. At first, I chose not to apply because I had never actually worked for the Sagebrush, despite having worked alongside them in other jobs, and I knew that there were people who had already worked for the Sagebrush that were likely applying.

Eventually, I sat down and asked myself when I had ever backed down from a challenge; The answer, of course, was never. Although it was late in the selection process and almost midnight the night I applied, I decided to put my hat in the ring. The next few days I spent sending countless emails, making a plan to get funding for the Sagebrush (an issue I knew they had struggled with from working with them previously), and creating a presentation that was everything it needed to be- raw and honest.

The day of my interview, I was incredibly nervous. I knew that I had what it took to do the position, but I also knew how hard it’d be to convince a panel of my peers (including several who worked for student media themselves), that I was the one they wanted to choose over other students who had more experience with the Sagebrush than I had. I enjoy being interviewed, so I told myself that even if I didn’t get the position, this would be great practice for interviews in the future.

I went in and gave it my all; I was honest about having never worked for the Sagebrush but included how that may work to our advantage if I were to be selected, answered a variety of questions, and most importantly- felt good about my presentation to the panel. Even if I didn’t get the position, I was able to walk away knowing there was nothing I could have done that would have been better than how I had presented myself.

After waiting in the hallway with another candidate for what seemed like forever, we were both called back in and told the verdict- I was selected! Of course I was shocked and exceptionally grateful for the opportunity, but also nervous for the future that I knew was ahead of me.

Although this was only a few months ago, I’ve since been working to find the Sagebrush funding, have had numerous phone calls and meetings regarding the future of the Sagebrush, am working on creating new positions within the Sagebrush, and am continuing to plan out the environment I want to produce- one that consists of passionate young journalists who are supported and ready to be the new hardworking faces of the Sagebrush.

Had I never applied, I would have never been where I am now- in a position I am exceptionally proud of. I look forward to the upcoming year as it will be my last at the University of Nevada, Reno. I cannot wait to see what else is in store for both myself and my team.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Kelsea Frobes and I am a 21 year old rising senior majoring in Journalism and International Affairs at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) as well as a member of UNR’s Honors College.

I am passionate about uncovering and solving issues that affect underrepresented communities and hope that through my writing, I will make real change for those that need it.

Growing up, I actually wanted to become a doctor but I eventually realized that writing, something I already loved doing, had power when I wrote to several county commissioners regarding the proposed name change of the street my high school was on.

I’ve held several positions of journalism-related leadership over the years including being the Executive Editor of my high school’s magazine, “The Vortex,” the Reynolds School of Journalism Student Council President for two terms now, was a two-term senator representing the Reynolds School of Journalism through ASUN, UNR’s student body government, and now of course my most recent endeavor as the Executive Editor of The Nevada Sagebrush. I was also recently selected to be a fellow for Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE)- another journalism opportunity I am extremely proud to say I was a part of.

Eventually, I plan to make a career for myself in international investigative journalism and aim to live in New York, but travel for work often. I am currently considering grad school as well as my options for jobs after I graduate in May of 2026.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a journalist are the emails or phone calls I receive from subjects of stories/people affected by the contents of my stories thanking me for allowing their struggles to be seen.

As someone who has “fallen through the cracks” in several ways in my own life, these messages alone are a big part of the reason why I drive so hard to do good investigative work every day. Being able to see firsthand how my writing helps those in need is such an incredible feeling.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that I can do everything. I came to college from a small town, thinking that I could do anything and everything I set my mind to like joining clubs, having multiple jobs, and participating in extracurriculars.

While being a “joiner” isn’t necessarily a bad mindset, I often take on absolutely every opportunity that gets presented to me, and make myself sick with stress. I have had to slowly teach myself to find a balance between being high-achieving and being too stressed out.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsea-frobes-227a34256?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: https://x.com/kelsea_frobes?s=21&t=E7acmrtn5QigM1lIMRECIw