Caroline Rodriguez was elected to be the 2021-2022 Editor-in-Chief (EIC) by The Triton’s Editorial Board. The vote was held at the end of Winter Quarter 2021. Rodriguez officially transitioned at the beginning of Week 6, Spring 2021.

Rodriguez is a current third year public health major with a double minor in Business and Psychology at Thurgood Marshall College. Prior to her election, she worked on the Triton’s Social Media team after joining in 2019, and served as the Engagement Editor for the 2020-2021 school year.

Rodriguez transitioned into her new role during an unprecedented time, as students return to campus and the University resumes in-person activities come Fall 2021. Nonetheless, she is “ thrilled to continue working with The Triton”.

One of Rodriguez’s main goals for the upcoming school year is to promote The Triton’s growth and presence on campus. “As I transition into Editor-in-Chief, I hope to highlight our organization’s collaborative efforts to maintain quality journalism, expand visibility among the growing diversity of UC San Diego, plus recruit and retain,” she said.

Rodriguez will succeed two-time EIC Ella Chen, who will be graduating this spring with a Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology and Biochemistry. Prior to her work as EIC, Chen was involved in the news section as both an assistant and section editor. Chen has been part of The Triton since Fall 2017.

“I’ve been in The Triton since Fall Quarter Week 1 of my freshman year. Since then, it has been my greatest pleasure watching the paper grow, and also growing alongside it,” Chen said. “I’ve seen it at its lowest and most triumphant, and leaving it when I graduate in June will be bittersweet.”

Upon graduation, Chen will continue to work with The Triton’s Advisory Committee and serve as a Board Member. In addition to this, Chen will be working full-time for a biotech company in San Diego.

Chen is very excited about The Triton’s upcoming transition.

“I have no doubt Caroline will take her expertise and guide the paper to even greater heights,” Chen said. “In the future, I can’t wait to come back and speak to a larger staff, read more coverage, and watch our founder’s legacy continue. No Editor-in-Chief is the same, and I am excited to see her steer our ship into new, unchartered territory.”

As The Triton continues with its transition, Rodriguez hopes to support the editorial board through all difficulties that may arise from the return to in-person learning.

“I have no doubt The Triton’s enterprising nature will stand out as resourceful to the UC San Diego community for our many years to come,” Rodriguez said.

Sahana Narayan is the News Editor for The Triton. Julianna Domingo is an assistant News Editor For The Triton.