Reporters

Olivia Alexander (she/her)

Olivia Alexander is a first-year student at UVM in the college of Arts and Science with an undeclared major. She is from Cambridge Massachusetts and enjoys playing for the club tennis team at UVM. Olivia joined CNS because she values being an active member of her community, whether Cambridge or Burlington and is eager to learn the mechanics of journalism in a very real-world setting.

Greta Close (she/her)

Greta Close is a senior at UVM majoring in Global Studies and Religion, with a minor in Anthropology. She is originally from Norwich, Vermont and a former member of the Women’s Ice Hockey team at UVM. After spending the past year living and traveling in Wyoming, Utah, and Alaska, Greta is excited to be back in the Green Mountains getting to know more of the state she loves. She values this opportunity to connect with new Vermont communities this Fall through pursuing and publishing local news. Outside of work, Greta can be found in the mountains, hiking and biking, or out enjoying Burlington with her friends.

Lane Dibler(she/her)

Lane Dibler is a Senior at UVM majoring in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s studies, as well as minoring in English. She believes in the power of narrative above all else and aspires to wield her words responsibly. When she is not at work or in class, Lane can be found editing audio clips, drawing comics for UVM’s alternative news Paper - the Water tower, watching cartoons or co-leading UVM’s newly resurrected, Film Society. Though, originally from St. Louis, Missouri; Lane is eager to interact with the Vermont community through her CNS journey.
You can contact Lane at ldibler@uvm.edu

Max Dodson

Max a junior at UVM Studying Environmental Studies and Political Science. Max is extremely interested in environmental issues, and more specifically, how the governments of towns and states respond to environmental issues. Currently, Max is writing for the Essex Reporter, but am looking to report on environmental news wherever it pops up.

 

Eric Johnson (he/him)

Eric lives in the NNE of Burlington with his 11-year-old son, who is his best friend. He is a fourth-year junior at UVM majoring in psychology with a minor in writing and coaching. He is a proud father of three kids and coaches Little League and Umpire, amongst others. A goal of his is to bring change to the Burlington community. He has hopes to open and establish his own “Office” where we can work with those without homes, disadvantaged youth, substance disorder, and anyone who needs to be heard.

Abbie Kopelowitz (she/her)

Abbie is a Sophomore from The University of Vermont completing a self-designed major in Geo-Sciene Journalism and a minor in Philosophy. Abbie is originally from South Florida, and in moving to Vermont, she values her newfound sense of community, as well as the impact that equitable reporting can have on such environments. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, skateboarding, and reading.

Noah Lafaso (he/him)

Noah is a sophomore at CCV. He resides in Essex Junction. Currently, he’s studying to complete an A.A. Associates in Liberal Studies in preparation for his transfer into UVM. Noah, always passionate about literature, developed the drive to write in tandem. With CNS, he hopes to use his writing abilities to connect Vermonters to their communities. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, and exploring nature.

Sofia Mendez (she/her)

Sofia Mendez is a student reporter in her third year at UVM. She is originally from Paraguay and has lived in the U.S for the past six years. Sofi is majoring in Global Studies and minoring in Latin American Studies.

 

Mae Nagusky (she/her)

Mae is a sophomore at UVM majoring in Film Studies with a minor in Reporting and Documentary Storytelling. She is from Cleveland, Ohio and has always felt driven toward connecting with others through story. Mae is passionate about podcasts, the mountains, and singing songs around the campfire with friends.

Kate O’Farrell (she/her)

Kate O’Farrell is a junior at UVM, majoring in English with a minor in Reporting and Documentary Storytelling. Kate is originally from Burke, Vermont. She is passionate about providing local Vermont communities with quality news and helping communities report important and equitable updates all over the state. She is excited to learn about the interests and stories of communities throughout Vermont. When she’s not studying or working, Kate can be found either alpine or nordic skiing, hiking, swimming, and scouting good ice cream spots.

Kayla Santiago (she/her)

Kayla is a sophomore at UVM from Bridgeport, Connecticut. She is a Religion major who takes interest in how religion impacts people all around the world. In her spare time she enjoy taking photos, hiking, and gardening. She joined Community News Service because I have always had an interest in the journalistic process, and finds it so interesting how someone can take a story and engage people from all walks of life. She hopes to connect with Vermont locals through my stories and research this year and get to know what is important to them.

Zoe Colgan-Sellers (she/her)

Zoe is currently a junior with a film major and a French minor! She joined CNS to get more film production experience, meet new people, and work with other students creatively on projects. In her free time, she enjoys photography, the outdoors, and traveling!


 
 

Megan Schneider (she/her)

Megan a senior at Saint Michael's College majoring in Media Studies, Journalism, and Digital Arts and minoring in Gender Studies. She is from Wells, Maine and have always been interested in ways she can connect with others by telling their stories. Last year she was the photographer for her college's marketing department and am currently working at our Center for Women and Gender. She is also president of the Feminist Club and vice president of the Active Minds club on campus. she loves photography, writing, traveling, and skiing.

 

Senior Reporters

Doug Phinney (He/Him)

Doug is a Junior at the University of Vermont where he is studying English with a minor in History. Doug is originally from the Greater Boston area and now resides in Burlington. He enjoys spending his free time outdoors: cycling, skiing, hiking, and bird watching.

Joia Putnoi (She/Her)

Joia Putnoi is a junior majoring in English with a double minor in Environmental Studies and Reporting & Documentary Storytelling. Joia joined CNS to be part of a team that strives towards compelling and equitable storytelling. Joia is a DJ at WRUV and has hiked Vermont’s 273 mile Long Trail which runs from Massachusetts to Canada.

Jackson Moffett (He/Him/His)

Jackson is a Senior at the University of Vermont. He is studying political science with an aim to go into political campaigning and communications. He is from Morrisville Vermont. He wanted to go into reporting as it is something that greatly interests me and will greatly help my post-collegiate career! Outside of College, he likes to read and watch documentaries, as well as do political volunteer work!

 
 

Managing Staff

Cory Dawson | Managing Editor (He/Him)

Cory Dawson is a reporter and editor with experience at several Vermont media outlets, including stints at VTDigger.org, The Burlington Free Press and the Associated Press bureau in Montpelier. Cory recently graduated with his master’s degree in Journalism from Georgetown University, and while in Washington D.C. he worked with the NBC Investigative Unit and the Student Press Law Center. He is a 2016 UVM graduate and former editor of The Vermont Cynic.

Meg Little Reilly (She/Her)

Meg Little Reilly is an editor, speechwriter, essayist and novelist. She is the author of the novels THE MISFORTUNES OF FAMILY, EVERYTHING THAT FOLLOWS, and WE ARE UNPREPARED, which has been translated into several languages. Her work has appeared in McSweeney's, Literary Hub, Sojourners, Politico, Vermont Public Radio, and more. Prior to writing novels, Meg worked in the Obama White House and US Treasury. These days, she’s happy to be back in the woods of Vermont. www.MegLittleReilly.com


Jacqueline Posley |
Winooski News Coordinator (she/her)

Originally from Mississippi, Jacqueline came to Vermont through the Stay to Stay Program in 2018. She is a full-time Contracted Paralegal, but fuels her passion for philanthropy through work on community non-profit boards, youth mentoring and volunteerism.


Richard Watts | Coordinator (He/Him)

Richard Watts is a former journalist and political campaign manager who now studies and teaches courses in journalism and public policy at the University of Vermont. Richard is the co-director of the Reporting & Documentary Storytelling Program, directs the Center for Research on Vermont, and coordinates internships for the College of Arts & Sciences.

Rachel Weed | Digital Editor (She/Her)

Rachel Weed graduated from UVM in Spring 2021 with a degree in Environmental Studies and Sociology. During her last semester at UVM, she interned for Sustainable Transportation Vermont managing their social media accounts. She is passionate about environmental and social justice so is excited to be helping out local newspapers. Outside of work, you can usually find her hiking, swimming, and spending time with friends.

 

Listed in alphabetical order