August Phillips CC’25 is a senior studying English. His interests span music, Spanish language and computer science; his senior thesis examines mechanisms of disciplinary power through a Great Depression-era novella. Outside of the classroom, Phillips has been an editor and writer for the Columbia Daily Spectator since his second semester in college and served as head copy editor on the newspaper's managing board in 2024. Throughout his time with Spectator, Phillips has promoted trust and accountability in journalism through a focus on factual accuracy, thoughtful and accessible reporting and staff development. Phillips also pursued his commitment to community-oriented media with WKCR, where he hosted shows, fundraised and served as sports department head. He has done work in local and national journalism outside of Columbia in his hometown of Memphis and with the Washington Post, and plans to continue working in the field after graduation.