Meet The Vanguard E-Board
Rami Mansi, Editor-in-Chief
Rami Mansi (He/They) is a Senior majoring in Childhood Education. With a love for pop culture writing, Rami has built his career as a college journalist for the past three years; he is now in his third semester as EIC. Outside the publication, Rami explores pop culture and music on his podcast “That’s Pop Music, Baby!”, works as WBCR’s Program Director, and hangs out with his friends
Serena Edwards, Managing Editor
Serena Edwards (She/Her) is a senior Journalism and Media Studies currently serving as the Managing Editor for the Fall semester. In her role, she plans on expanding the audience the Vanguard has as well as platforming marginalized voices. When Serena isn’t working at the Vanguard, she is hosting and producing CUNY TV’s CUNY Uncut. In her free time, she loves painting and filming YouTube videos.
Jocelyn Rios, Layout Editor
Jocelyn Rios (She/Her) is a sophomore majoring in Childhood Education (1-6) with a Concentration in Art. After joining the Vanguard in the Fall 2025 as a Staff Cartoonist, she now serves as the Layout Editor. She hopes to continue bringing creative ideas to the world of design and combine graphic elements with illustrations to tell stories others could relate to. “Anything about Cartoons and Comics? I’m your girl!”
Samurah Islam, Business Manager
Samurah Islam (She/Her) is a sophomore majoring in Journalism and Media Studies. She joined The Vanguard this semester. She aims to become a professional journalist focused on business and world news.
Anastasia Gigauri, Podcast Manager
Anastasia Gigauri (she/her) is a sophomore studying psychology with a minor in music technology. Originally from the country of Georgia, she speaks Georgian, Russian, and English. From staff writer to podcast manager, my goal is to channel creativity and make sure student voices are heard. I want to talk about what’s actually happening on campus and across New York. My mission is to make sure everyone has a platform to share their opinions and feelings. I have had a deep, lifelong connection to music since I was a child. Besides singing, I play flute and drums. When I’m not making or listening to music, I’m usually reading or watching gothic horror. I honestly think it’s one of the best genres out there, and I’m really fascinated by it.
Mars Marte, Content Creator
Mars Marte(She/They) is a senior majoring in Film and Psychology. After joining in Fall 2024, they sought to examine the connection between art and the human experience. Outside of writing and making content they enjoy visual storytelling via photography, hiking and jewelry making.
Ameena Khan, Content Creator
Ameena Khan (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in English and Secondary Education on the English Teacher [7-12] track. Initially serving the Vanguard as a staff writer and comic artist, Ameena strives to continue writing articles, drawing comics, and collaborating with others in the Vanguard. Her aim as a Content Creator is to draft creative ideas into eye-catching visuals and relatable content. Outside of publication, Ameena loves fashion, animation, writing fanfiction, and illustrating her original characters.
Emily Nixon (She/Her) is a Senior majoring in Journalism and Media Studies. She joined The Vanguard in Spring 2025 and mainly wrote news and features stories. In her spare time, she reads fiction books to take a break from the constant news cycle and is constantly cultivating her news feed to be as up to date as possible.
Renae Visico, Features Editor
Renae Visico (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology and Neuroscience. She joined The Vanguard as a Staff Writer in Fall 2025, and now dedicates herself to uplifting underrepresented communities on campus as the Features Editor. Outside of The Vanguard, Renae loves to read novels, sing, play piano, and spend too much money on merch.
Samuel Mortel, Opinions Editor
Samuel Mortel (he/him) is a senior majoring in Journalism and Media Studies with a minor in Political Science. Since writing his first piece for The Vanguard at the end of the Spring 2025 semester, Samuel has built a portfolio of opinions pieces on a wide range of topics, earning him the position of Opinions Editor in the Fall 2026 semester. He has no shortage of thoughts on a variety of subjects, including politics, film, music, and sports. If you see Samuel around campus, he’ll almost always have his headphones on, either listening to a basketball/movie podcast or underground rap.
Manuel Polanco, Sports Editor
Manny (He/Him) is a senior majoring in TREM and minoring in political science. He joined The Vanguard as a staff writer in spring 2024 and is now the sports editor. When he isn’t conjuring up articles, Manny spends his time watching Mets baseball, reading comics, and watching wrestling!
Staff Writers:
Haadi Amir
Vanessa Archer
Samantha Colon
Schoon Elcock
Haliya Jooda
Sayles Kaliszewski
Reagan McLean
Amandi Nelson
Gabrielle Oudkerk
Max Ranieri
Kaniz Samiha
Raven Santos
Elianna Tsigler
Zakia Yesmin
Karina Zambrano
Michelle Zhen
Staff Photographers:
H.M. Aye
Tiffany Edwards
Igor Pavlenko
Olive Treadwell
Staff Comic Artists:
Gaby Pablo Knight
Adam Magwood
Nicole Ruiz
Chavely Reynoso
Josiah Sanon
Faculty Advisor:
MJ Robinson