Michael James Rocha

Michael James Rocha is the digital creative director at the Union-Tribune. He oversees the presentation of Union-Tribune stories online and has oversight of the photo and graphics teams. He previously was the arts and entertainment editor. During his tenure, the Union-Tribune’s Sunday arts section was named the best in the nation two years in a row (2021 and 2022). Rocha started his career at the Union-Tribune in December 1997 as a features page designer. He eventually became the features design editor. Through the years, he has done stints as the front page designer, audience development editor and home decor editor. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications (with an emphasis in print journalism) from California State University-Fullerton. He is a founding member of the Asian American Journalists Association’s San Diego chapter, and he has taught magazine design at Point Loma Nazarene University and the University of Connecticut.