Meet Our Staff

Alex Bologna is a senior at SUNY New Paltz, majoring in Digital Media Production with a minor in Journalism. Outside of interning at The Legislative Gazette, Bologna also serves as the News Director at SUNY New Paltz’s very own radio station, 88.7 FM The Edge. After graduating, he hopes to pursue a career in either the film or television industry.

Alexander Thomas is a senior at SUNY New Paltz majoring in Digital Media Production, with a minor in Film & Video Studies, and a second minor in Sociology. Alongside interning at the Legislative Gazette, Alexander works as freelance production team member, some examples are Hudson Valley Grappling Invitational and Collibra Reunited 2022. Alexander hopes to work his way up to being a professional Director of Photography/cinematographer. When he is not working towards his goals he is working out, trying new foods, and of course watching movies.

Ashley Clareen is a Digital Media Production major at S.U.N.Y. New Paltz, pursuing minors in Film and Video Studies and Business Administration. Before New Paltz, Ashley was entirely self-taught in the Adobe Creative Suite and the general process of storyboarding, recording and editing video. Outside of the Legislative Gazette, she has videographed weddings, worked as a Social Media Intern for a local non-profit, and participated in film competitions. In the upcoming year, she will be working as an editor for a local film that recently exited the script stage. While she’s open to any position to get her foot in the door of the film industry, Ashley’s ultimate goal is to become a Director of Photography. In her downtime, she loves going to cheap concerts, experimenting with visual effects on video, skiing, working out, and has recently dabbled in digital art.

Azizi Kangethe is a senior in Digital Media Production at SUNY New Paltz. Azizi was born in Washington DC but moved to Kenya, East Africa at the age of 4 since his parents are of Kenyan origin. He grew up in Kenya until the age of 18 when he returned to the United States to pursue his college education beginning at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY before transferring to SUNY New Paltz. He speaks both Swahili and English. Azizi loves to spend his free time going for drives, playing Basketball or Soccer and playing video games.

Bernie Kilkelly is a Digital Media Programming and Management major and Journalism minor at SUNY New Paltz. On campus, she’s a DJ and news broadcaster on WFNP and a member of the New Paltz Music Collective. Off campus, she’s been a part of  the Woodstock Film Festival and the Long Island Press. When not writing, she’s an avid supporter of the New York Mets and the Buffalo Beauts. She hopes to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

Gabriella Gagliano is a junior majoring in digital media production and minoring in journalism at SUNY New Paltz. She has held many positions during her time at New Paltz, including Music Director for WFNP The Edge and Sports Editor for The Oracle. She hopes to be able to travel and report on important things happening in other parts of the world in hopes of promoting change and inspire solutions to the issues that face humanity. When she is not writing or reading, she runs ferry boats down off the South Shore of Long Island and finds herself outside most of the time.

Kaitlyn Newman is a senior at SUNY New Paltz studying Digital Media Management with an emphasis on social media. As well as interning for the Legislative Gazette, she’s worked on creating social content for clients within FGS Global. She’s also managed her own channels and built an online community around storytelling. She hopes to one day be a director of new age marketing. When not scouring the internet for the latest trends, you will find her creating elaborate cosplay or practicing violin.

Kyra Russo is a senior majoring in journalism, and working as the Assistant Editor of the Legislative Gazette. Russo is from East Greenbush, NY, and is also a member of the New Paltz Women’s Soccer team. In addition to the Gazette, she is the Managing Editor of the New Paltz Oracle. In the fall of 2023, she is planning to attend graduate school at the University of Essex, U.K., for a Masters degree in Management. She will also play on the Women’s Soccer team. In her spare time, Russo enjoys reading, spending time with friends and going to the gym.

Morgan Sumner is a Digital Media Management and Public Relations senior at SUNY New Paltz also pursuing a minor in psychology. The Legislative Gazette will be her first internship and step towards a career in media and communications. Outside of the Gazette, she works in an Italian restaurant in the town of New Paltz. She can be found thrifting, volunteering with local nonprofits throughout the Hudson Valley, and is currently learning how to play the guitar and harmonica.

Rikun Zhu returns to campus to study digital media and art history in the US since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. He has been an active independent filmmaker and curator in China for two decades. His films won various awards in international film festivals. His recent activities include organizing a 16mm workshop with JP Sniakeci and Lisa Marie, editing his new films, making an organic veggies farm in the Hudson Valley, and learning English and Italian.

Sydney Rockwood is a senior at SUNY New Paltz, pursuing a major in journalism and a double minor in both Deaf Studies and Communication. A student journalist with past internships at Roots & Wings and NYSMusic, Rockwood’s preferred “beat” consists of social justice matters and human rights violations. She prides herself on providing creative spins on important stories, and platforming those who aren’t traditionally given voices in the media. When she isn’t working or studying, she enjoys playing video games, spending time in nature, and doodling.