Meet the Staff

Staff Bios

Grace Bertrand, executive editor, (she/her)

Grace Bertrand is a senior journalism major with a minor in social justice and civic engagement. Bertrand began as a features and entertainment editor for The Rider News in 2024, before becoming executive editor. In 2024, Bertrand was awarded Third Place for Feature Writing by the New Jersey Press Foundation. She recently completed a social media internship at Keep It Real clubs. Outside of The Rider News, Bertrand works as a tutor at the Academic Success Center. Bertrand can be contacted at bertrandg@rider.edu with tips, inquiries, story pitches, etc.

Caroline Haviland, managing editor, (she/her) 

Caroline Haviland is a senior journalism major with a minor in political science. Before being elected as managing editor, Haviland worked for The Rider News as a news editor and copy editor. In the summer of 2025, Haviland completed a news reporting internship for The Examiner News, a newspaper serving Westchester and Putnam counties in New York. Contact Haviland with any questions, tips and any inquiries at havilandc@rider.edu. 

Libby D’Orvilliers, opinion editor, (she/her)

Libby D’Orvilliers is a senior psychology major and is currently enrolled in Rider’s accelerated program for clinical mental health counseling. In addition to working for The Rider News, D’Orvilliers is president and co-founder of the club NEDA Campus Warriors at Rider University, member of Rider’s Psi Chi honor society chapter and a Psychology Department Ambassador. D’Orvilliers can be contacted at dorvilliere@rider.edu.

Sofia Santiago, features editor, (she/her)

Sofia Santiago is a sophomore English and Spanish double major with a minor in political science. Outside of the newsroom she is the treasurer of Rider’s Pulse K-pop dance crew, a member of the Rider Model United Nations, a part of the newly formed Club de Español and works as a tutor at the Academic Success Center. Santiago began writing for the features section of The Rider News at the start of her freshman year. For any tips, comments or questions, Santiago can be contacted at santiagosofi@rider.edu

Cal Sutton, news editor, (he/him)

Cal Sutton is a sophomore journalism major with a minor in political science. Before becoming a news editor, he was a copy editor for the 2024-25 academic year. His freshman year, Sutton earned the freshman journalist of the year award. He is also the Vice President of the Rider University Crochet Club. Outside of The Rider News, Sutton enjoys spending quality time with his friends, playing card games, crocheting and writing poetry. Sutton can be contacted with any questions or comments at suttonca@rider.edu 

Marissa Spencer, social media editor, (she/her)

Marissa Spencer is a senior journalism and musical theater double major from Cleveland, Ohio. She is a former executive staff member of 107.7 The Bronc, where she served as the webmaster. She currently works as a digital intern at the Democratic Senate Office for the New Jersey State Senate, where she merges her passions for communication, advocacy and online content. She is the former treasurer of the Rider Student Theatre Company and an active member of the theatrical scene in the tri-state area. You can find Spencer on LinkedIn or by email at marissagracespencer@gmail.com.

Journey New, social media editor, (they/them)

Journey New is a senior sociology and criminal justice double major from Anna, Texas. They originally joined The Rider News in Spring 2025 as a copy editor to earn Engaged Learning Points before becoming a social media editor. Since starting at Rider, New has assumed many executive board positions across campus, from being the treasurer in multiple clubs to being the chairman of the SGA student organization committee for two consecutive years, keeping charge of the 130+ clubs and organizations on campus. New can be contacted at jnew@rider.edu.

Samantha Clark, sports editor, (she/her)

Samantha Clark is a sophomore communications studies major with a minor in sports media. Clark began writing for The Rider News in 2025 with coverage of women’s basketball and lacrosse. As a first-year student, she was named Rider University’s School of Communication, Journalism, and Media’s 2024-2025 Freshman of the Year. In addition to the Rider News, she is a student in the Baccalaureate Honors Program, as well as a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity. Clark can be contacted at clarksam@rider.edu.

Benjamin Shinault, sports editor, (he/him)

Benjamin Shinault is a senior multiplatform journalism major with a minor in sports media. Benjamin entered the newspaper in the Fall of 2022. In his first three years, Shinault has been named freshman, sophomore and junior journalist of the year. In the summer of 2025, Shinault interned with the Courier Post as a content intern. He also finished with second place honors in sports writing for the New Jersey Press Foundation in 2025. Additionally, Shinault produces and records weekly sports reports for 107.7 The Bronc. Contact Shinault with tips, questions, etc. at shinaultb@rider.edu. 

Gail Demeraski, graphic design manager, (she/her)

Gail Demeraski is a senior Graphic Design major who’s always had a passion for layout design. Demeraski started her journey at The Rider News in the Fall of 2024 as a graphic designer. She grew passionate about designing graphics and learning more about the Rider News’ layout design. Demeraski is also involved on campus as a graphic designer for 107.7 The Bronc and the Brand Manager for Rider’s FBLA. Contact her with any questions at demeraskia@rider.edu. 

Yanuel Santos, multimedia editor, (he/him)

Yanuel Santos is a senior graphic design major with a minor in social media strategies. Santos joined The Rider News in the fall of 2024 as a graphic designer, where he grew fond of the ability to express his creativity within a welcoming environment. He is also the president of the newly formed Club de Español. Outside of The Rider News, Santos works as a tutor at the Academic Success Center and as a designer at 107.7 The Bronc. Santos can be contacted with any questions or comments at santosy@rider.edu.