Together this group will work to make our Columbia experience as a class the best it can be! Learn more about each of us here.
President – Subhanjana Das
Shubhanjana is an M.S. full-time student from India with a passionate focus and interest in photo and video journalism. Before coming to CJS, she was a freelance culture journalist in India for over 5 years. She has reported from Kashmir, Kolkata, Jaipur, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Goa, working on cultural stories at the intersection of religion, gender, environment, and identity. Her interests lie in photojournalism, documentary filmmaking, and investigative journalism. Shubhanjana can be reached at sd3872@columbia.edu with questions, ideas, and inquiries about her role as President
Vice President – Megha Gupta
Megha Gupta is this year’s SPJ’s Vice President. She is a dual degree candidate pursuing a full-time MS in Journalism at the J School and a Master’s in International Affairs at SIPA. She graduated a year early from UCLA in 2023, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies before going on to write freelance in London, England for nine months. She has worked for the House of Representatives and NBC Sports while engaging in multimedia journalism across a range of topics and beats. She hopes to create an academic safe space for students at the J School this year, working towards acting on student concerns and facilitating open conversations on prevalent world issues affecting journalists today. You can reach Megha at mg4771@columbia.edu.
Student Life Chair – Laïny Jernidier
Laïny Jernidier was elected as the Student Life Chair, a position where she is committed to promoting students’ mental well-being and overall happiness. She is currently pursuing her studies at Columbia Journalism School, following a degree in Communications from France. Laïny is passionate about community stories, local news, culture, and entertainment. With her French Caribbean heritage, she is fluent in English, French, and Creole. You can reach her via email at lainy.jernidier@columbia.edu.
Speaker’s Director – Reeno Hashimoto
Reeno Hashimoto is a native New Yorker, a full-time M.S. student at CJS, and this year’s SPJ Speakers Director. Reeno graduated magna cum laude from Brown University where she helped spearhead Fashion@Brown’s Distinguished Speaker Series. After college, Reeno led social media strategy at her local library, worked at an interior design start-up, taught English to Japanese immigrants, completed her 200-hr Yoga Teacher Certification, and co-produced the Google News Initiative Summer 2024 Pre-Launch Lab. Reeno aspires to an international career at the intersection of investigative journalism and media law. She is insatiably curious with an eclectic set of hobbies and interests that include but are not limited to music composition, production, and performance, baking, cinema, gardening, hiking, and pottery. Like many other journalists, she enjoys talking to strangers, traveling, and writing (not just articles!), and would be happy to discuss some of the books she’s recently read and loved over tea (preferably green or herbal). Reeno is committed to intellectual diversity and is eager to bring the best and brightest guest speakers to Pulitzer Hall. You can reach Reeno at rh2984@columbia.edu.
Community Service Chair – Augostina Mallous
Augostina Mallous, 23, is a graduate of Hofstra University, where she majored in Journalism with a minor in Dance and served as President of the National Communications Honor Society. Her writing has been featured in outlets like New York Family Magazine and Brooklyn Paper. Currently, she is pursuing her M.S. in Journalism at Columbia University. Her social impact initiative, Stop The Traffic: Human Trafficking Awareness & Eradication, highlights her work as an ambassador for NJ’s Coalition Against Human Trafficking. She has led school tours, hosted community safety workshops, and advocated for stronger human trafficking prevention laws in New Jersey. A competitive dancer for 14 years, Augostina’s passion for performing arts led her to win the Miss New Jersey 2022 title. She also co-founded Hofstra Fit, a women’s fitness club. She has been recognized for her community service with the Presidential Gold Award and an honor from the House of Representatives. Augostina hopes to sharpen her writing and reporting skills at Columbia, with aspirations to enter the broadcast realm after graduation. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and caring for her dogs, Zoe and Luka! You can reach Augostina at am6521@columbia.edu.
Film/Doc Coordinator – Mason Leath
Mason Leath is an MS student at Columbia this year, originally from Charleston, SC. He has previously worked at NBC, FOX 5 DC, and the U.S. Department of State in the Africa Bureau. He attended Georgetown University to study foreign policy, where he was a student senator and the chair of Georgetown’s media groups and publications. Please reach out at mpl2159@columbia.edu for any documentary/filming needs this year.
Web Chair – Blythe Reis
Blythe Reis is a full-time MS student and the website coordinator for SPJ. She graduated from Syracuse University in May of 2024 with a double major in Political Science and Broadcast Journalism. While at Syracuse, Blythe interned with WAER, an NPR Affiliate station, where she wrote news for the website, as well as news to be used on-air. She also reported on-air multiple times. Blythe studied abroad in London in the fall of 2022, and later became a Global Ambassador for the Syracuse Abroad Program, helping students prepare for their abroad experience. Blythe also did social media work for Fetch Collective Magazine and worked on their PR team. Blythe has a passion for political journalism and reported on the New Hampshire Primary in 2024. She followed Nikki Haley’s campaign, and her broadcast reporting was used at over 50 different news stations across the United States. Blythe hopes to continue her passion for political reporting at Columbia University, while also exploring New York City and all it has to offer! Blythe can be reached at bir2111@columbia.edu with any questions or suggestions.
Comp-Sci Representative – Annabelle Jiang
Annabelle Jiang is a first-year dual MS Computer Science + Journalism student and the SPJ’s computer science representative. With an undergraduate background in Computer Science and experience in graphics design and social media, she is pursuing this dual degree to merge her passion for technology and media. Her interests span AI, mobile applications, UX/UI, AR/VR, and data analysis. As a representative on the SPJ board, she aims to collaborate with the board to bring innovative computer science and journalism projects, as well as professionals and speakers, to support the CJS community with technical topics and ideas related to journalism. She also seeks to build connections between students in different programs at CJS. Annabelle can be reached at alj2162@columbia.edu.
University Senator – Alex Rouhandeh
Alex J. Rouhandehis a Master of Arts student within the Columbia Journalism School’s politics concentration program and represents the college’s student population in the university senate. He also serves as a special correspondent for Newsweek. Before coming to Columbia, Alex worked as Newsweek’s congressional correspondent and was selected as one of the National Press Foundation’s 2024 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellows. His writing has also appeared in The American Prospect, Vice News, and a number of regional publications. Alex graduated as a Remembrance Scholar at Syracuse University where he majored in magazine journalism through the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and both policy studies and citizenship & civic engagement through the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs. At Syracuse, Alex represented the undergraduate student community as a university senator. You can connect with Alex by email at ajr2289@columbia.edu or through X at @AlexRouhandeh.
Part-Time Representative – Andrew Mercein
Andrew Mercein is a first-year, part-time M.S. Candidate at the Columbia School of Journalism. Originally from Connecticut, Andrew received his B.A. in International Political Economy from Fordham University in 2022. Since graduating, Andrew has worked in Digital Media Administration at YES Network and taught English at an elementary school in Galicia, Spain. He now works as a writer and producer in the health and wellness space. Andrew’s goal as an SPJ Board Member is to foster a sense of community among the J-School community. He wants to ensure that all members feel seen, heard, valued, and respected so they can have a happy and fulfilling Columbia experience- and life afterwards. Andrew can be reached at ajm2365@columbia.edu.
Board Member – Caroline McCarthy
Caroline McCarthy is a full-time M.S. student serving as a general board member of Columbia University’s SPJ chapter. Caroline is originally from Rutherford, NJ, and earned her undergraduate degree in Communications at Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY. Before Columbia, Caroline was a weekend sportswriter and digital producer for the New York Post. In this role she covered sports entertainment topics, like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, and breaking news live updates through the New York Post Live Blog. You can reach Caroline at cpm2171@columbia.edu.
Board Member – Alex Foster
Alex Foster (he/they) is a politics and satire journalist from London. He studied English Literature at Oxford University for undergrad and is currently in the M.S. General program at Columbia. Having reported on the UK’s general election over the summer for Private Eye, Alex is looking forward to learning how to cover US politics in the run-up to November and beyond. Outside of journalism, they also enjoy theatre, concerts, and the Oxford comma. He’s excited to help make this year a great one for Columbia students on the SPJ General Board. Alex can be reached at af3428@columbia.edu.
Board Member – Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
Eric Santomauro-Stenzel, 23, is a full-time MS student on the Visual Craft track covering social movements, power, and identity. While earning an interdisciplinary BA at Hamilton College in Social Movements & Community Organizing, Eric served as Editor-in-Chief of the campus social justice publication, The Monitor. His background as a participant in local government, community organizing, student government, and electoral politics shaped his belief that journalism was the best way he could make a difference. As an SPJ Columbia Board Member, he is a member of the Academic Affairs and Speakers committees. Eric is originally from Long Island and adores his cat, Artemis. Eric can be reached at es4275@columbia.edu.
Board Member – Madeline Reilly
Madeline Reilly is a Full-time M.S. Student. She is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, California. She attended Sarah Lawrence College ‘22 where she graduated with a BA in History (Political Science) and English Literature. Her career so far has mostly been publishing and research. She has participated in the UNANY’s Worldview Institute and looks forward to strengthening my reporting on international issues. Her areas of interest when it comes to her reporting also go into Arts & Culture, Health Care, and Climate technology. Madeline can be reached at mmr2259@columbia.edu.
Board Member – Nichole Whiteley
Nichole Whiteley grew up in Utah and attended college in Hawaii. She now lives in New York City. Hawaii is where she found her true passion for human rights journalism because she met so many different people from around the world. She enjoys focusing on stories involving gender equality, racial equality, and immigration. Her work experience in journalism includes writing for Ke Alaka’i magazine, Hawaii Business Magazine, and the Daily Herald newspaper. In her free time, she loves to try out new restaurants, explore the city, listen to Taylor Swift, and read in Central Park. She is so excited to be part of the SPJ chapter representing the class of 2025! Her goal for SPJ is to bring in speakers who are underrepresented journalists and journalists who write about underrepresented populations. She will also be working to bring in experts who can help everyone propel their careers forward whether they are pursuing freelance, fashion, investigative, business, or any other type of journalism. She is here to help everyone reach success this year. You can reach Nichole at nw2572@columbia.edu.
