About Our Staff
Senior Team
Mia Anzalone
Editor in ChiefMia Anzalone (senior) is a sociology major and Art History minor from Kailua, Oahu. She is The Occidental's editor-in-chief, and has been a staff writer, Opinions section editor, Arts and Culture section editor and managing editor. Anzalone has journalism experience back home where she's worked for HAWAI'I Magazine and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. In her free time, she likes to hang out with friends, read, surf and roller-skate.
Sebastian Lechner
Managing EditorSebastian Lechner (senior) is a Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture major with a minor in physics at Occidental. Lechner is the Managing Editor and was previously Campus News editor and a staff writer. When not in the library, Lechner enjoys thrifting in Pasadena and trying to find retro sneakers online.
Editors
Ava LaLonde
News EditorAva LaLonde (sophomore) is a Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture major and is minoring in Critical Theory and Social Justice. LaLonde is a Campus News Editor for The Occidental and an occasional staff writer and photographer. LaLonde enjoys hiking, finding small record or book stores, hanging out with her dog and watching the same movies over and over again.
Olivia Fishman
Community News EditorOlivia Fishman (senior) is an art history major and Interdisciplinary Writing minor. Fishman is the Community News editor of The Occidental. When not in the newsroom, Fishman enjoys playing golf and visiting art galleries.
Mollie Barnes
Culture EditorMollie Barnes (sophomore)is a Critical Theory and Social Justice major with a minor in Cognitive Science. Barnes is an Arts & Culture section editor at The Occidental and a staff writer. Outside of the newsroom, she enjoys skiing, traveling and trying every restaurant possible in Los Angeles.
Kawena Jacobs
Culture EditorKawena Jacobs (sophomore) is a Music Production major from Pennsylvania. Jacobs is an Arts and Culture section editor, but has also been a staff writer and photographer. Outside of the newspaper, Jacobs plays the viola in the Occidental Symphony Orchestra, writes and releases songs and enjoys playing soccer, basketball and volleyball.
Jacob Whitney
Sports EditorJacob Whitney (junior) is a Diplomacy and World Affairs major. Whitney is a Sports section editor for The Occidental and previously worked as a staff writer. Outside of the newsroom, Whitney enjoys reading, socializing with friends and exploring new places.
James Miller
Sports EditorJames Miller (sophomore) is undeclared, but will study either biology or Diplomacy and World Affairs (DWA) at Occidental College. Miller is a Sports editor and enjoys running, reading and surfing when not in the newsroom.
Avinash Iyer
Opinions EditorAvinash Iyer (junior) is a mathematics and economics major at Occidental College. Iyer is one of the Opinions section editors at The Occidental and previously was a staff writer, primarily writing Opinions and Community News stories. Aside from the newspaper, Iyer also enjoys aimlessly scrolling Twitter, going to the gym and spending an unhealthy amount of time in Fowler Hall. After college, Iyer hopes to get a PhD in Mathematics.
Bonnie Lai
Opinions EditorBonnie Lai (senior) is an English Literature major and Japanese language minor at Occidental College. Lai is an Opinions Editor. In between working on drafts for the next issue, Lai likes to take long walks while listening to a podcast and learning something new.
Mali Abel
Photo EditorMali Abel (senior) is a psychology major and public health minor. Abel is a Media section editor for The Occidental and previously worked as a staff photographer. Outside of the newsroom, Abel enjoys reading, crocheting and spending time with friends. After graduation, Abel hopes to attend graduate school to get her masters in Psychology and PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Anna Beatty
Photo EditorAnna Beatty (sophomore) is a Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture major Chinese Studies minor from Austin, TX. She is a Media Editor and Staff Writer for The Occidental. When she is not cooped up in the Media Suite or frolicking around the library stacks, Beatty enjoys dancing, eating spicy noodles and inhaling ice cream from Scoops on York Boulevard.
Other Staff
Ayva Sloo
Business ManagerAyva Sloo (junior) is a geology major with an Environmental Science concentration at Occidental College. Sloo is the business manager for The Occidental. Besides keeping the team on budget, Sloo enjoys camping, hiking and reading, and is always ready for a friendly (but competitive) game of pickleball.
Nick Novak
Web DesignerNicholas Novak (senior) is currently studying Computer Science and Economics. He serves as the Senior Web Developer for The Occidental. In his free time, Nicholas enjoys watching movies, reading and petting cats.
Maeve Mascarenhas
Assistant Web DesignerMaeve Mascarenhas (sophomore) plans to major in Sociology and minor in Computer Science. She is the Assistant Web Designer for The Occidental. She also runs for the Cross Country and Track and Field teams at Oxy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking and listening to music.
Diego Santiago
Translation EditorDiego Santiago (junior) is pursuing a dual major in computer science and Spanish Studies. Santiago is thrilled to serve as Translation Editor for The Occidental. When he’s not busy with editorial duties, you can find him reading science fiction, playing pool or playing soccer.
Zoey Solomon
Podcast EditorZoey Solomon (junior) is an Urban and Environmental Policy major and Media Arts and Culture minor. Solomon is the Podcast Manager at The Occidental. Outside of this role, she enjoys playing violin, watching documentaries and going on walks.
Caden Zamastil
Head Copy EditorCaden Zamastil (sophomore) is undeclared, but leaning towards a history major. Zamastil is the Head Copy Editor for The Occidental. When not in the newsroom, Zamastil enjoys playing bass and guitar, reading, bouldering, watching Ghibli movies and playing Stardew Valley.
Janice Wong
Head Layout EditorJanice Wong (sophomore) is a computer science major at Occidental College. She is the Head Layout Editor for The Occidental. In her free time, Wong enjoys playing video games and hanging out with friends.
Barbara Thomas
AdvisorBarbara Thomas has been The Occidental staff advisor since September 2016. A career journalist, she spent 24 years at the Los Angeles Times where she held many roles, including reporter, copy editor and Executive News Editor. Previously she was a reporter in Gary, Ind. She was part of two Pulitzer Prize teams for Spot News reporting at the LA Times. Thomas has an M.A. in journalism from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., and B.A. in English from University of Pittsburgh.
Writers
Translators
Photographers
Podcast Team
Illustrators
Copy Editors
Layout Editors
Newsletter Editor
The mission of The Occidental is to provide fair, accurate and balanced journalism of the highest quality to members of Occidental College as well as the local community. We promote the free exchange of information, and our staff strives to maintain the highest professional journalistic ethics and standards.
We aim to prioritize truth, credibility, and transparency above all else in our reporting; hold the leadership of the student body, college and larger community accountable; and provide a platform for productive community dialogue.
As the official student newspaper of Occidental College, The Occidental aims to fulfill three primary functions. The first is to inform our audience by presenting unbiased and accurate information regarding topics and events of importance and interest to the Occidental and local community. The second is to serve as a public forum by providing commentary on issues important to the community and encouraging community members to respond, contribute and participate in community dialogue. The third is to educate by creating an effective and inclusive learning environment where staff members can learn the journalism trade and professional skills.
We are a completely student-run organization. We strive to uphold the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics as the standards for our policies and procedures.
Read our Frequently Asked Questions in order to learn more about our organization, practices and policies.