The Columbia Chronicle has selected a new editor-in-chief for the upcoming spring semester. Doreen Abril Albuerne-Rodriguez, a senior journalism major and sustainable fashion minor from Troy, Michigan, will lead the student newspaper during a pivotal time at Columbia when program restructuring is underway to address a $17 million dollar deficit.
Albuerne-Rodriguez was hired by the Chronicle last summer and has since taken on a variety of roles, including copy editor, newsletter producer and bilingual reporter. She have most recently covered the college’s negotiation to return student access to East-West University gym after budget reductions. She has also covered Election Day and has written about Latinx and mental health issues.
“I don’t know if I would call it a journey, because I didn’t really have that destination in mind, you know,” Albuerne-Rodriguez said. “It was just kind of just growing together and having other people helping me grow and nudge me down that right path.”
Albuerne-Rodriguez will take over for Patience Hurston, who is finishing their second semester in the top position. Hurston will be the Chronicle’s copy chief in the spring, a position they held before becoming editor-in-chief in Summer 2024.
Albuerne-Rodriguez was selected by the Chronicle’s Advisory Board, which includes Hurston, Faculty Advisor Jackie Spinner, Bilingual Media Advisor Fernando Diaz, former Chronicle Faculty Advisor Curtis Lawrence and Chronicle alums Paige A. Barnes and Molly Walsh.
“As we’ve seen from The Chronicle’s coverage, this is a historical time for the Columbia community, especially journalists on campus. We need someone like Doreen who wants to construct a community with the student-run organization inside the newsroom and across the Chronicle’s circulation,” said Walsh, who is a former editor-in-chief of the Chronicle and now a criminal justice reporter for the Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com.
The Chronicle announced Albuerne-Rodriguez’s new position Monday during a staff meeting.
“I am very excited to see Doreen lead the Chronicle. Working with her on La Crónica has been a joy,” Diaz said, referring to the paper’s Spanish-language section. “She has a strong work ethic, exacting attention to detail and compassionate leadership style that will serve this team well.”
Other members of the spring leadership team are:
- Deputy Editor Addison Annis, a senior photojournalism major and video production minor from Plymouth, Minnesota;
- Campus News Editor Vivian Richey, a junior journalism major from St. Louis;
- Assistant Campus News Editor Allison Shelton, a junior journalism major and double minor in fashion communication and advertising from Lee’s Summit, Missouri;
- Director of Photography Peyton Reich, a senior photojournalism major from Chicago;
- Creative Director Lilly Sundsbak, a sophomore illustration major and animation minor from Rochester, Minnesota;
- Opinions Editor Vanessa Orozco, a senior ASL-English interpretation major and journalism minor from Erie, Pennsylvania;
- Audience Engagement Editor Emily Ramirez, a junior marketing major from Trevor, Wisconsin, and
- Business and Marketing Manager Aleah Stringfield, a senior marketing major from Cleveland.
Looking ahead to the next semester, Albuerne-Rodriguez said one of her goals is to develop a style guide for La Crónica to ensure consistency in grammar and vocabulary.
“So when I first started, I noticed there was a big gap in style guides for the Spanish speaking news story at La Crónica. We always had a bunch of questions arise since we didn’t have a set guide to follow,” Albuerne-Rodriguez said.
Albuerne-Rodriguez said she also hopes to further strengthen the community between the Chronicle team and its readers.
“I feel like building that strong relationship helps us to not be afraid to push other people to aim for bigger stories,” Albuerne-Rodriguez said. “I think that’s really nice to have that community that can empower you and make you feel good about the work that you put out.”
Spinner, who recruited and hired Albuerne-Rodriguez, said she understands what it takes to hold the team accountable.
“I’m thrilled that our advisory board chose Doreen to be our new EIC. In a short time on our staff, she has proved to be an exceptional leader who deeply cares about the Chronicle and about protecting our credibility,” Spinner said.
Copy edited by Trinity Balboa
Resumen en Español:
El Columbia Chronicle ha seleccionado a un nuevo editor en jefe para el próximo semestre de primavera. Doreen Abril Albuerne-Rodríguez, estudiante de periodismo y menor de moda sostenible de Troy, Michigan, dirigirá el periódico estudiantil durante un momento crucial en Columbia, donde la reestructuración del programa está en marcha para abordar un déficit de $17 millones.
Albuerne-Rodriguez fue contratada por el Chronicle el verano pasado y desde entonces ha asumido una variedad de roles, incluyendo editora de textos, productora de boletines, traductora de resúmenes y reportera.
Albuerne-Rodríguez fue seleccionado por la Junta Asesora de Chronicle, que incluye a Hurston, la Asesora de Facultad Jackie Spinner, el Asesor de Medios Bilingüe Fernando Díaz, el ex Asesor de Facultad de Chronicle Curtis Lawrence y los ex alumnos de Chronicle Paige A. Barnes y Molly Walsh.
