The Columbia Chronicle has selected a new editor-in-chief for the summer and for the Fall 2025 semester.

Kate Julianne Larroder, a junior double major in communications and journalism from the Philippines will lead the paper this summer. Vivian Richey, a junior journalism major from St. Louis, Missouri, will assume the top role in the fall.

Both will be taking on leadership roles during a significant transition at Columbia, as Shantay Bolton steps into the position of president and CEO, amid a time when college campuses are experiencing increased political pressure.

Larroder said she was grateful for the opportunity and committed to strengthening the sense of teamwork within the newsroom.

“I’ve always envisioned the Chronicle as a diverse newsroom that reflects the communities that we serve,” Larroder said. “I feel like the people I’m surrounded by are very driven, goal-oriented and determined to put out stories that matter.”

Richey expressed excitement about her new role, noting that it was the Chronicle that initially drew her to Columbia. She said she looks forward to bridging the gap between the Chronicle staff and students.

“The direction of the Chronicle under my leadership, ideally would be very much team-oriented. I want everybody to be cohesive and connected within the newsroom as well as outside of it,” Richey said. “I want students to be able to come to us with their ideas, with their work, with everything.”

Larroder and Richey were selected by the Chronicle’s Advisory Board, which includes Faculty Advisor Jackie Spinner, former Faculty Advisor Curtis Lawrence, Chronicle alumni Paige A. Barnes and Molly Walsh, current Editor-in-Chief Doreen Abril Albuerne-Rodriguez and Copy Chief Patience Hurston, who was editor-in-chief for the previous two semesters.

Albuerne-Rodriguez, who is graduating in May, said she hopes the opportunity to cover upcoming arts and events over the summer will support Larroder’s growth as both a journalist and a leader.

“I’m really excited for Kate to step into the role of editor-in-chief this summer. She brings an impressive background,” Albuerne-Rodriguez said.

Larroder served as president of the National Secondary Editors Guild of the Philippines and has reported most recently on the Faculty Senate. 

Larroder joined The Chronicle in January 2024 as a reporter and has since covered an array of topics, with a particular focus on student life, campus events, and broader societal issues.

Richey, who began at The Chronicle in January 2023, has since held a variety of roles, including staff reporter and assistant campus editor. In her current role as campus news editor, she covers institutional matters, faculty-related issues, and the student experience at Columbia. She was hired as a first-year student by Lawrence, a former associate journalism professor who retired in 2023 after 44 years in journalism to become the investigative editor at Block Club Chicago. He retired in 2023 after 44 years in journalism. 

“Given Vivian’s editor experience and deep concentration of conflicts on campus, I think she will be a great leader in the newsroom,” said Walsh, a 2019 journalism graduate who is a business reporter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. “Vivian is hyper focused on the Chronicle and campus currently which is what I think the student news org needs.”

The Chronicle announced the top editors on Monday, April 7 during a staff meeting.

The deputy editor in the fall will be Sydney Richardson, a junior journalism major with a minor in voiceover from Woodridge, Illinois. 

Since she joined the Chronicle in August 2023, Richardson has held positions such as reporter, podcast producer and host. Richardson has covered a range of topics from campus and metro events to key changes within Columbia’s student life and residence life departments.

Spinner, who has been an advisor since Spring 2023 said the advisory board selects students who grasp this role, are respected by peers, and, most importantly, prioritize our mission and safeguard our credibility.

“The Chronicle is a reliable, credible source of news on campus, and that’s a testament to the commitment of our student leaders who run a professional newsroom, act as mentors and lead their peers in following the highest standards of journalism,” said Spinner. “I’m excited to see Kate and Vivian step into the top role and continue our legacy of excellence.”

The Chronicle is currently accepting applications for various roles through April 17. Students can apply through the Handshake. 

Copy edited by Patience Hurston

Resumen en Español: 

El Columbia Chronicle ha seleccionado una nueva editora en jefe para el verano y para el semestre de otoño de 2025.

Kate Julianne Larroder, una estudiante de tercer año de comunicaciones con especialización en periodismo de Filipinas, dirigirá el periódico este verano.

Vivian Richey, estudiante de tercer año de periodismo de St. Louis, Missouri, liderará el otoño.

Ambos tomarán roles de liderazgo durante una transición significativa en Columbia, ya que Shantay Bolton será el presidente y CEO, en un momento en que los campus universitarios están experimentando una mayor presión política.

Resumen en Español por Araceli Ramirez.

Resumen editado por Doreen Abril Albuerne-Rodriguez