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Meet The Team

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Kirsten Kimbler

Editor-in-Chief

Kirsten is a senior majoring in journalism and public relations with a double minor in digital content production and broadcast journalism. This is Kirsten’s second year working for The Vindicator and third year as a member of CSU’s Society of Professional Journalists. This year, serving as the SPJ president. Off campus, Kirsten enjoys attending concerts, working out and thrifting at local shops. After graduation, Kirsten hopes to find a career in broadcast production or writing for a major news outlet.

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Lexi Pewitt

Managing Editor

Lexi is a third-year student double-majoring in journalism and promotional communications, as well as psychology, with a minor in digital content creation. Outside of The Vindicator, Lexi doubles as the Director of Communications for CSU’s Esports program. In her free time, Lexi enjoys playing video games, reading, photography, and watching horror films.

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Alexander Giampietro

Copy Editor

Alex is a junior double majoring in journalism and public relations with minors in digital content production and broadcasting. With a passion for all things involving media, he wants to write to inspire, create change, and appreciate what the city of Cleveland has to offer. This is Alex’s first year working for The Vindicator, and he is determined to break the mold of conventional storytelling and bring unique ideas to the students of CSU. Outside of campus, Alex enjoys BMX biking, gaming, card collecting, and everything horror sci-fi.

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Mikayla Payne

Art Director

Mikayla is a communication graduate student with a passion for creativity and collaboration. She earned her undergraduate degree in public relations and journalism, along with a minor in digital content production. This is her second year designing for the magazine, and as the Art Director, she’s especially excited to work alongside other designers to turn ideas into visuals. Outside of school, Mikayla loves attending concerts, reading books, and spending time with her cat.

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Eddie Grier

Assistant Art Director

Eddie is a junior majoring in graphic design with a double minor in Studio Art and Marketing. He has several hobbies, including interests in music, cooking, and, of course, art. This is Eddie’s second year working for the Vindicator, but his first in a leadership position here at the magazine. He is eager to help the writing team bring their articles to life and to make the Vindicator a more visually appealing read. Off campus, Eddie enjoys playing with his band in and around Cleveland.

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Andrew Paduano

Online Content Editor

Andrew is a senior majoring in marketing. This is Andrew’s third year working for The Vindicator and he is excited to continue sharing students’ stories and the surrounding communities. Outside of school, Andrew is a crazy coffee person, enjoys, photography, writing, walking in nature, and a good science fiction book.

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Sage Colón

Features Editor

Sage is a junior majoring in journalism with a minor in broadcasting and sport and entertainment management. This is Sage’s first year working with The Vindicator, and she is excited to share her stories and inspiration with the CSU community. Outside of the Vindi, Sage works for the school's interview show, Cleveland Conversations. She also enjoys running, eating ice cream and watching new films.

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Kylee Herrick

Arts & Culture Editor

Kylee is in her sophomore year majoring in art history. This is Kylee’s first year working for The Vindicator. Kylee is excited to share stories from a diverse array of students and shine light on what CSU has to offer in the art world. Outside of the Vindi, she can be found wandering the Cleveland Museum of Art or sifting through vinyl at Cleveland’s various record stores. After school, Kylee plans on pursuing a career in the museum field as an archivist.

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Ava Brennan

Arts & Culture Editor

Ava is in her junior year majoring in communications and minoring in digital content creation and health communications. Ava has always had a passion for the arts, film, and writing. This is her first year working for The Vindicator, and she is ecstatic to tell and read stories that expand her own world and deepen connection within communities. In her free time, Ava enjoys watching films, hiking, traveling, and listening to music.

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Helaina Rucinski

Social Issues Editor

Helaina is a sophomore and is double-majoring in journalism and public relations, as well as communications, with a minor in digital content production. This is Helaina’s first year working for The Vindicator, and she is eager to provide students with a platform to share their voices and contribute to developing stories on the social issues that exist in the community. Off campus, Helaina enjoys traveling with family and catching a sports game.

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Nicole Wloszek-Therens

Fashion & Wellness Editor

Nicole is a senior majoring in journalism with double minors in digital content production and broadcasting. This is Nicole’s first year working for The Vindicator, and she is excited to further her passion for writing and sharing stories with the community. After graduation, she hopes to continue working in journalism and media, with a dream of creating documentaries. Outside of The Vindicator, Nicole runs a weekly program at CSU’s radio station, WCSB Cleveland. She also enjoys live music, art and spending time outdoors.

© 2026 The Vindicator

Cleveland State University's Arts and Culture Magazine

Amplifying voices since 1969.

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