Staff writer for The Diamondback, The University of Maryland's Student-run newspaper
I began as a staff writer for the Diamondback in January, 2014 writing about the University Senate and continued through the summer. Then in the fall I was promoted to senior staff writer and put on the state and national politics beat. I covered the gubernatorial election in the fall and the General Assembly in the Spring. I published 108 articles with the Diamondback. (Most recent clips on top)
I also created a Twitter account for this position, the handle is @J_Banister.
Spring 2015 (35 articles)
Study: 25 percent of part-time faculty rely on some government aid
Gov. Hogan signs bills on body-cameras, ride-sharing, scholarships
Maryland's hidden epidemic
College Park residents consider initiative to invest in solar panels
College Republicans will hold ticketed 'American Sniper' screening Monday
Student host a vigil for those affected by earthquake in Nepal
With Sen. Barbara Mikulski retiring, candidates vie for Senate seat
Gov. Hogan signs bill to allow Sunday liquor sale in Prince George's County
Legislation passes requiring USM schools to conduct sexual assault climate surveys
Maryland General Assembly secures legislative victories on last day
UMD to build memorial honoring Frederick Douglass in Hornbake Plaza
House of Delegates, Senate pass bills to strengthen students' online privacy
USM seeks funding for budget shortfall as state deadline approaches
U.S. House and Senate budget plans could cut pell-grant funding
Bill to help low-income students attend college passes in the House
State bill aimed at increasing hazing fines fails in House and Senate
State legislators debate potential regulatory bill for ride-sharing app Uber
State legislators push to east student finances with tax-free textbooks bill
State Senate votes 44-2 to pass bill protecting interns from harassment
Obama discusses affordable education after Student Aid Bill of Rights announcement
President Obama introduces reform plans to help students pay back loans
Kirwan: Hogan's Board of Regents nominations could create unprecedented changes
Intern protection bill moves forward in House, gains support in Senate
Poll: Public confident in Hogan, but oppose plans for education funding
Senate bill could increase fines, expand definition for hazing
Proposed Senate bill would bolster student social media privacy
Senator aims to help craft beer industry with new bill
SGA testifies in Annapolis for bill protecting interns from harassment
USM Chancellor Brit Kirwan lobbies for more state funding at hearing
Hogan addresses business climate, economic competition in State of the State
Maryland legislature considers bill to defer college payment, spread across years
Obama adopts tax reform proposal from UMD economics professors
State Senator calls for General Assembly vote on Robert Caret's appointment to USM
Gov. Larry Hogan's budget proposal includes projected tuition hike
Hogan promises bipartisan cooperation, fiscal responsibility at inauguration
Fall 2014 (42 articles)
In Gov. O'Malley's final days in office, some look to his aspirations
Maryland's marijuana policies could advance following decriminalization
UMD police under routine review for procedures and transparency
Despite call for appeal, Hogan plans to keep Maryland gun laws
For undocumented students, deportation still a real fear
Attorney General elect Brian Frosh to push for environmental initiatives
Gov. Martin O'Malley orders plan to achieve 80 percent greenhouse gas reduction by 2050
Maryland launches revised state health exchange website
Larry Hogan leaves Purple Line questions unanswered
With Hogan elected, some question what's next for higher education
My column reflecting on covering the race
Anthony Brown concedes 2014 gubernatorial race to Larry Hogan
Full election coverage (scroll down to live blog, I wrote several posts during the day)
Election guide
Hillary Clinton boosts Anthony Brown campaign at Ritchie Coliseum rally
Gov. O'Malley visits UMD campus, performs with student band
Maryland gubernatorial race closer than expected
A federal law passed in 2003 could be making raves more dangerous for students who attend
Lieutenant Gov. candidate comes to UMD, urges students to vote
To garner support, President Obama visits rally for Anthony Brown
As election closes in, gubernatorial candidates face off for final time
Del. Cardin visits campus to expound on revenge porn law
Rep. Donna Edwards speaks to College Democrats about women in politics
Political apathy leads to low voter registration on campus
Maryland students view second debate at Knight Hall watch party
Ready for Hillary bus stops on campus
Gubernatorial candidates exchange jabs in first debate
Brown and Hogan set to debate Tuesday with one month left
Meet Ken Ulman, Anthony Brown's running mate
State Department sponsors university event to discuss diasporas
University students show support for campaign finance reform
Mid-term election candidates split regarding marijuana legalization
As Maryland gubernatorial race heats up, candidates go on the offensive
UCLA professor presents strain on family for undocumented immigrants
White House launches sexual assault campaign
Supreme Court clerks join students for UMD constitution day
Republican senators bar Bank on Students Act
Where Gov. Martin O'Malley stands in the Democratic race for 2016
U.S. Senate to vote on bill easing student loan debt
University officials shut down online voter registration system following data breach
Students debate volatile situation in Gaza
Tensions flare over gubernatorial campaign ads
Summer 2014 (9 articles)
Knox Box tenants given 90 days to vacate
Univ., ACC reach agreement ending litigation
Knox Box Apartments sale expected to close today
Knox Box tenants likely to be displaced in coming months
Brown wins democratic nomination, faces Larry Hogan in general election
State gubernatorial primary election live blog
The DBK guide to the 2014 gubernatorial primary
Alumni-owned Board and Brew opens under The Varsity
Universities with highest paid presidents have higher amounts of student debt, study finds
Spring 2014 (22 articles)
University Senate turns to new leadership
Democratic gubernatorial candidates hold first debate on campus
Panelists discuss bit coin
Donald Webster replaces Vincent Novara as University Senate chairman
University Senate approves 3 certificate programs
University Senate evaluates marijuana policy shift
Clark school introduces tech entrepreneurship master’s program
Pulitzer winner Dana Priest takes on journalism chair
University Senate passes non-tenure-track framework
E-cigarette store owners plan College Park cafe, retail shop
Title IX compliance director takes office
Panel discusses accountability, legality and future of government surveillance
Non-tenure-track faculty framework sent to senate
Marijuana bills discussed in College Park city forum
University Senate passes proposal to prevent plagiarism, cheating
Interactive forest watch system could thwart global deforestation
Campus Recreation Services brings spikeball tournament to intramural offerings
Non-tenure-track faculty framework moves forward
Information college HackHealth program promotes Internet research skills
Science ‘superheroes’ seek to spark youth interest
University Senate proposals will create business master's degree programs
University Senate proposal would create new early childhood ed degree
I also created a Twitter account for this position, the handle is @J_Banister.
Spring 2015 (35 articles)
Study: 25 percent of part-time faculty rely on some government aid
Gov. Hogan signs bills on body-cameras, ride-sharing, scholarships
Maryland's hidden epidemic
College Park residents consider initiative to invest in solar panels
College Republicans will hold ticketed 'American Sniper' screening Monday
Student host a vigil for those affected by earthquake in Nepal
With Sen. Barbara Mikulski retiring, candidates vie for Senate seat
Gov. Hogan signs bill to allow Sunday liquor sale in Prince George's County
Legislation passes requiring USM schools to conduct sexual assault climate surveys
Maryland General Assembly secures legislative victories on last day
UMD to build memorial honoring Frederick Douglass in Hornbake Plaza
House of Delegates, Senate pass bills to strengthen students' online privacy
USM seeks funding for budget shortfall as state deadline approaches
U.S. House and Senate budget plans could cut pell-grant funding
Bill to help low-income students attend college passes in the House
State bill aimed at increasing hazing fines fails in House and Senate
State legislators debate potential regulatory bill for ride-sharing app Uber
State legislators push to east student finances with tax-free textbooks bill
State Senate votes 44-2 to pass bill protecting interns from harassment
Obama discusses affordable education after Student Aid Bill of Rights announcement
President Obama introduces reform plans to help students pay back loans
Kirwan: Hogan's Board of Regents nominations could create unprecedented changes
Intern protection bill moves forward in House, gains support in Senate
Poll: Public confident in Hogan, but oppose plans for education funding
Senate bill could increase fines, expand definition for hazing
Proposed Senate bill would bolster student social media privacy
Senator aims to help craft beer industry with new bill
SGA testifies in Annapolis for bill protecting interns from harassment
USM Chancellor Brit Kirwan lobbies for more state funding at hearing
Hogan addresses business climate, economic competition in State of the State
Maryland legislature considers bill to defer college payment, spread across years
Obama adopts tax reform proposal from UMD economics professors
State Senator calls for General Assembly vote on Robert Caret's appointment to USM
Gov. Larry Hogan's budget proposal includes projected tuition hike
Hogan promises bipartisan cooperation, fiscal responsibility at inauguration
Fall 2014 (42 articles)
In Gov. O'Malley's final days in office, some look to his aspirations
Maryland's marijuana policies could advance following decriminalization
UMD police under routine review for procedures and transparency
Despite call for appeal, Hogan plans to keep Maryland gun laws
For undocumented students, deportation still a real fear
Attorney General elect Brian Frosh to push for environmental initiatives
Gov. Martin O'Malley orders plan to achieve 80 percent greenhouse gas reduction by 2050
Maryland launches revised state health exchange website
Larry Hogan leaves Purple Line questions unanswered
With Hogan elected, some question what's next for higher education
My column reflecting on covering the race
Anthony Brown concedes 2014 gubernatorial race to Larry Hogan
Full election coverage (scroll down to live blog, I wrote several posts during the day)
Election guide
Hillary Clinton boosts Anthony Brown campaign at Ritchie Coliseum rally
Gov. O'Malley visits UMD campus, performs with student band
Maryland gubernatorial race closer than expected
A federal law passed in 2003 could be making raves more dangerous for students who attend
Lieutenant Gov. candidate comes to UMD, urges students to vote
To garner support, President Obama visits rally for Anthony Brown
As election closes in, gubernatorial candidates face off for final time
Del. Cardin visits campus to expound on revenge porn law
Rep. Donna Edwards speaks to College Democrats about women in politics
Political apathy leads to low voter registration on campus
Maryland students view second debate at Knight Hall watch party
Ready for Hillary bus stops on campus
Gubernatorial candidates exchange jabs in first debate
Brown and Hogan set to debate Tuesday with one month left
Meet Ken Ulman, Anthony Brown's running mate
State Department sponsors university event to discuss diasporas
University students show support for campaign finance reform
Mid-term election candidates split regarding marijuana legalization
As Maryland gubernatorial race heats up, candidates go on the offensive
UCLA professor presents strain on family for undocumented immigrants
White House launches sexual assault campaign
Supreme Court clerks join students for UMD constitution day
Republican senators bar Bank on Students Act
Where Gov. Martin O'Malley stands in the Democratic race for 2016
U.S. Senate to vote on bill easing student loan debt
University officials shut down online voter registration system following data breach
Students debate volatile situation in Gaza
Tensions flare over gubernatorial campaign ads
Summer 2014 (9 articles)
Knox Box tenants given 90 days to vacate
Univ., ACC reach agreement ending litigation
Knox Box Apartments sale expected to close today
Knox Box tenants likely to be displaced in coming months
Brown wins democratic nomination, faces Larry Hogan in general election
State gubernatorial primary election live blog
The DBK guide to the 2014 gubernatorial primary
Alumni-owned Board and Brew opens under The Varsity
Universities with highest paid presidents have higher amounts of student debt, study finds
Spring 2014 (22 articles)
University Senate turns to new leadership
Democratic gubernatorial candidates hold first debate on campus
Panelists discuss bit coin
Donald Webster replaces Vincent Novara as University Senate chairman
University Senate approves 3 certificate programs
University Senate evaluates marijuana policy shift
Clark school introduces tech entrepreneurship master’s program
Pulitzer winner Dana Priest takes on journalism chair
University Senate passes non-tenure-track framework
E-cigarette store owners plan College Park cafe, retail shop
Title IX compliance director takes office
Panel discusses accountability, legality and future of government surveillance
Non-tenure-track faculty framework sent to senate
Marijuana bills discussed in College Park city forum
University Senate passes proposal to prevent plagiarism, cheating
Interactive forest watch system could thwart global deforestation
Campus Recreation Services brings spikeball tournament to intramural offerings
Non-tenure-track faculty framework moves forward
Information college HackHealth program promotes Internet research skills
Science ‘superheroes’ seek to spark youth interest
University Senate proposals will create business master's degree programs
University Senate proposal would create new early childhood ed degree