Meet the Staff

Blake Leschber

Editor-in-Chief

Blake Leschber is the editor-in-chief at The University Star and has been with the organization since fall 2022. As editor-in-chief, Blake oversees the editorial process and works alongside all editors and directors to ensure all processes are running smoothly. Before becoming the editor-in-chief, Blake previously worked as the managing editor, news editor, a news reporter and contributor. Blake is currently a senior majoring in public relations and minoring in international studies. When not working in the newsroom, Blake can be seen at a concert, on a run or playing one of his many records.

Rhian Davis

Managing Editor

Rhian Davis is the managing editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the fall of 2022. As the managing editor, Rhian works with all staff and edits all content. Prior to becoming the managing editor, Rhian served as the opinions editor and assistant opinions editor and contributed to both the sports and opinions sections. Rhian is currently a senior majoring in journalism. When Rhian is not in the newsroom, she enjoys playing her guitar, hanging out with friends and listening to Taylor Swift.

Carson Rodgers

Creative Services Director

Carson Rodgers is the creative services director of The University Star and has been with the organization since fall of 2024. As the creative services director, Carson designs the house ads, helps with general design inquiries and designs the games page, printed every Tuesday. Carson is currently a junior majoring in communication design. When not in the newsroom, you will find him listening to music, gaming or printing.

Jen Nguyen

Design Editor

Jen Nguyen is the design editor of The University Star, and was previously the creative services director. She leads a group of designers to produce interesting, refined graphics for the Texas State and San Marcos audience. Jen is currently a senior in geography with a minor in geology, and art history. When she’s not leading or designing, she is probably crocheting or listening to music in her room.

Tatum Pou

Engagement Editor

Tatum Pou is the engagement editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the spring 2024. As engagement editor, Tatum helps oversee the engagement specialists and engage multiple audiences through various platforms of The University Star. Prior to becoming editor, Tatum was an engagement specialist. Tatum is currently a senior studying Advertising and minoring in Sociology. When not in the newsroom, you will find her reading, gaming or spending quality time with her friends and cat Miso.

Carlene Ottah

Life & Arts Editor

Carlene Ottah is the life and arts editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the fall of 2022. As life and arts editor, she writes, assigns and edits stories about the Texas State and San Marcos communities. She began working at The Star as a life and arts contributor and would become a life and arts reporter in spring 2023. She also became a multimedia and broadcast reporter. Carlene is a mass communication graduate starting in the fall of 2024. She majored in electronic media as an undergraduate student. When not in the newsroom, she can be found exploring the Texas State campus or watching a Netflix series.

Keely Florez

Public and Internal Relations Director

Keely Florez is the public and internal relations director at The University Star and has been with the organization since spring 2025. Before stepping into her current role, she served as a PR specialist. As PIR director, Keely leads a team of specialists in planning and executing a wide range of events for The Star, including public relations campaigns, internal socials, and community engagement initiatives. Keely is currently a sophomore majoring in public relations with a minor in family and behavioral studies. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, playing video games, and exploring her creative side through photography, scrapbooking, and other artsy hobbies.

Ryan Claycamp

News Editor

Ryan Claycamp is the news editor of The University Star, and has been a part of the news section since spring 2023. He leads a group of reporters to produces solid, timely and important cover for the Texas State and San Marcos communities. Ryan was the recipient of three SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards for 2024. He is currently a junior majoring in journalism and minoring in political science. When not in the newsroom, Ryan can be found hanging out with his dogs, reading a good book or watching movies.

Andrew Bencivengo

Opinions Editor

Andrew Bencivengo is the opinions editor at The University Star and has been with the section since the fall of 2024. As the opinions editor, Andrew manages the opinions staff and edits all content. Prior to becoming the editor, Andrew was a contributor for opinions and he later became the assistant opinions editor. Andrew is currently a junior majoring in management. When Andrew is not in the newsroom, he enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and working out.

Adrian Ramirez

Sports Editor

Adrian Ramirez is the sports editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the winter of 2023. As sports editor, Adrian administers the sports section by assigning and editing stories about Texas State sports and athletes and ensuring game coverage and other sports related news is covered promptly and accurately. Prior to becoming editor, Adrian worked as the assistant sports editor, senior sports reporter, sports reporter and sports contributor. Regardless of the time of day, Adrian is always doing something sports related. Whether it be watching, writing or coaching his youth baseball team, Adrian lives sports. Adrian is currently a senior majoring in Journalism with a concentration in Sports Media. When not in the newsroom, you can find him on any local baseball field coaching his 12 and 13 year old kids or at any given Bobcat athletic event

Meg Boles

Multimedia Editor

Meg Boles is the multimedia editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the fall 2023. Prior to becoming the editor Meg worked as a multimedia reporter and assistant editor and won Multimedia Reporter of the Year in 2024 & 2025. Meg began studying Public Relations at Texas State in 2023 and is currently a junior.

Sophia Gerke

Assistant Design Editor

Sophia Gerke is the Design Assistant for The University Star and has been with the organization since spring 2024. As the Design Assistant, Sophia helps manage all illustrators and assists Jen by providing graphics and keeping a consistent design throughout the paper. Sophia is a sophomore at Texas State and is majoring in Communication Design. She wishes to use her creative skills to become an illustrator for children’s books and to inspire children to embrace their creative sides. When not in the newsroom, Sophia can be found making stickers and playing her guitar.

Arabella DiChristina

Assistant News Editor

Arabella DiChristina is the assistant news editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since fall 2024. As the news assistant, she leads a group of reporters to produce solid, timely and important coverage for the Texas State and San Marcos communities. Arabella is a sophomore at Texas State and is majoring in Journalism with a pre-law focus as well as a criminal justice minor. When not in the newsroom, Arabella can be found crocheting, traveling, or lost in a good book.

Ayden Oredson

Assistant Sports Editor

Ayden Oredson is the Assistant Sports Editor for the University Star and has been with the organization since fall 2024. As the Assistant Sports Editor, Ayden is responsible for helping assist the tasks of the Sports Editor, which includes editing feature stories and game recaps of Texas State athletics, helping in game coverage and ensuring sports stories that are published are informing and accurate. Prior to becoming Assistant Sports Editor, Ayden worked as a Sports Contributor and later Sports Reporter and won the 2025 Sports Reporter of the Year. Ayden is also a member of the Multimedia Section, assisting in sports photography. Ayden is currently a Journalism Major with a concentration in Sports Media and is minoring in Media Studies. When not working, Ayden is photographing and writing whatever he can while also bebopping around Texas.

Myra Bennett

Assistant Engagement Editor

Myra Bennett is the assistant engagement editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the spring 2025. As assistant engagement editor, Myra helps oversee the engagement specialists and engage multiple audiences through various platforms of The University Star. Prior to becoming assistant editor, Myra was an engagement specialist. Myra Bennett is studying Public Relations and is currently a Sophomore. When not in the newsroom, you can find her watching a new Netflix series or spending time with her friends.

Isabelle Cantu

Assistant Multimedia Editor

Isabelle Cantu is the assistant multimedia editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since fall 2024. As the multimedia assistant, Isabelle oversees the section alongside the multimedia editor. Prior to the role, Isabelle worked as a multimedia reporter. Isabelle is currently a senior studying public relations with a minor in business administration. When she’s not taking pictures, you can find her going on road trips with friends or lounging in the honors college.

Julia Gooder

Broadcast Editor

Julia Gooder is the Broadcast Editor at The University Star and has been with the organization since the spring 2025. As broadcast editor, Julia works as the TV News Director for Star News Network, which is the broadcast program of The University Star. Julia is currently a senior studying Electronic Media and minoring in Theater. When not in the newsroom, you will find her in the TV studio, editing on premiere pro, at the pool with her friends, or listening to Noah Kahan.

Maci Gambrell

Assistant Broadcast Editor

Maci Gambrell is the assistant broadcast editor of The University Star, and before then, worked as a reporter for the broadcast section starting in spring of 2025. She assists in leading a group of broadcast reporters for The Star News Network. Maci is currently a junior studying Journalism, with a minor in sustainability studies. When she’s not at Live Oak studios, she is likely doing campus clean ups, hanging by the river or leading her youth group at church.