JMS Graduate Lora Cicalo Named San Diego Union-Tribune Senior Editor

Lora Cicalo, a graduate of San Diego State University’s Journalism and Media Studies department, has been named senior editor of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Cicalo graduated with a bachelor’s in journalism and master’s in mass communications. As a part-time lecturer at SDSU, she is able to share over 30 years of newsroom experience with classes. 

“Lora has been a dedicated journalist and educator since graduating from JMS,” said director of JMS Temple Northup. “For years, she has been teaching a course on media management, something she is clearly an expert in as evidenced by her recent promotion.”

Cicalo, since joining the Union-Tribune in 1987, has served in a variety of roles including assistant news editor, A1 editor, news editor, and was the managing editor for eight years prior to this promotion. 

“Lora's 36 years of experience at the U-T along with her dedication to the paper, its staff and readers make her the right person to lead the U-T's newsroom,” said MediaNews Group executive editor Frank Pine in a recent statement. 

“With more than 30 years as an editor, Lora has a strong background in news management and a rich and thorough knowledge of the greater San Diego area,” Pine reiterated. “She is passionate about journalism, ambitious and well-positioned to chart the U-T's way forward. We're lucky to have her as the newsroom's leader.” 

In her new role, Cicalo is the company’s “top editor and will be responsible for all editorial operations and strategy.” A hefty role, which Cicalo is eager to to take on: 

“It is an honor and a privilege to lead this team of talented and dedicated journalists,” Cicalo shared on her promotion. “These are challenging times for our industry, but the work we do has never been more vital–and there is no group more committed to continuing that work and to serving the San Diego community."

“We are excited to see her career and recognition continue to rise as she represents JMS and SDSU so well in the community,” concluded Northup.

SDSU is lucky to have the senior editor of the city's largest newspaper as part of their program, educating the next generation of journalists.