The 2026 Quadrangle Masthead
Barbara Vasquez and Laili Shahrestani
Editors-in-Chief
Barbara is a junior communication major with a concentration in integrated marketing communications and a minor in environmental studies. Outside of The Quadrangle, Barbara is a thrower for the Manhattan University track and field team and loves to hang out with her friends. She also has two cats, Luna and Junius, who she loves very much!
Laili is a senior communication student with a concentration in journalism. Prior to becoming editor-in-chief, Laili served as the head features editor for The Quadrangle. She hopes to go on to pursue a career in print-journalism. Laili is originally from Orange County, California, and enjoys her time on both the west and east coast. In her free time, Laili finds herself happiest trying out new coffee shops, spending time with her cats and going for scenic walks.
Maddie Rosado
News & Managing Editor
Maddie is a junior communication major with a concentration in journalism and a minor in biology at Manhattan University. While she is dedicated to primary news writing and editing, she also enjoys taking on in-depth feature stories whenever the opportunity arises.
Zendrah Bonnick
Asst. News Editor
Zendrah Bonnick is assistant news editor for the Quadrangle. She is a junior majoring in political science and communication. Outside of the newsroom, Zendrah also enjoys cooking and painting in her free time.
Leyla Mercardo
Features Editor / Asst. Social Media Editor
Leyla is a third-year student double majoring in political science and criminology. As a proud native New Yorker born and raised in the Bronx, her pride is rooted in being from the big apple. She’s had an immense love for writing for as long as she can remember, and she writes with the intent to give a voice to those who often go unheard or feel the most silenced. She loves movies, books, music and dance, as she’s been a dancer for 12 years now. Friends, family, her cat and the summer continuously sit at the top of her mind.
Sarah Rolka
Asst. Features Editor
Sarah is a freshman undecided major who is currently serving as the assistant features editor. When she’s not busy, she can be found reading, playing guitar or listening to music. As a native New Yorker, Sarah loves to spend time in the city either walking downtown, or spending time with friends or family. Sarah is very excited for this new season of The Quadrangle and can’t wait to see what it’ll bring.
Maria Castaño
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Maria Castano is a sophomore with a double-major in English and Spanish. This is Maria’s first semester as the A&E editor, but her third semester writing for The Quadrangle. She has an immense passion for writing and literature, and her favorite A&E columns are the Book Nook and Movie Review. She wants to make the artistic side of MU more well-known, and provide the campus with worthwhile and relevant journalism.
Joshua Reichard
Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
Joshua Reichard is a freshman communication major. This year, he is excited to work as the assistant A&E editor. He has a passion for writing and especially loves writing about entertainment!
Zeke Jazwinski
Sports Editor
Zeke is a second year communication major with a concentration in sports media. He hopes to eventually pursue a career working with ESPN in the future, and is passionate about being involved in the sports industry.
Emmanouel Sofillas
Asst. Sports Editor
Emmanouel is a junior electrical engineering student who currently serves as the assistant sports editor at The Quadrangle.
Amy Forster
Production Editor
Amy is a junior majoring in English literature and special education. She grew up in Los Angeles, California and loves knitting and quiet, Sunday morning production sessions in the Hayden Lab. In addition to The Quadrangle, Amy is co-president of MU Mock Trial, co-president of MU Pre Law Society, co-vice president of Campus and Community for Kappa Delta Pi, a peer leader in the James Patterson Honors Program and member of Sigma Tau Delta.
Misha Jabal-Abadi
Asst. Production Editor
Misha Jabal-Abadi is a freshman mechanical engineering student with interests in interdisciplinary problem-solving and design. She is the assistant production editor, where she assists with design and production. Outside of academics, she enjoys working on creative and technical projects.
Lois Boateng
Social Media Editor
Lois is a junior majoring in political science, with a minor in religious studies. She is new to The Quadrangle, but is serving as the head social media editor this year, bridging The Quadrangle’s stories to light on platforms such as Instagram. She is also a huge fan of the Knicks – Go Knicks!
Elaina Batista
Asst. Social Media Editor
Elaina is a senior political science major with a minor in philosophy from Nanuet, NY. She began as a contributor to The Quadrangle, writing the Manhattan Caucus column, and has since spent two semesters as a member of the paper’s social media team. In addition to her work with the paper, Elaina is a member of the Manhattan University track and field team.
Alba Kortoci
Web Editor
Alba is a senior double major in marketing and global business studies with a minor in digital media art and design at Manhattan University. She is joining The Quadrangle this semester as web editor and is very excited to contribute to the paper!
Thom Gencarelli
Faculty Advisor
Thom is the faculty advisor for The Quadrangle and is a professor of communication and the founding chair of the former communication department at Manhattan University. He is a past president of the Media Ecology Association, the New York State Communication Association and the New Jersey Communication Association (twice). Presently, Thom is editor of the journal ETC: A Review of General Semantics, now in its 81st year of continuous publication. He writes about new media, media education/media literacy, media ecology and music, and has two books due out shortly, including Searching for the Right Notes: Essays about Media, Meaning, and Music (Peter Lang). He took on the role of faculty advisor because of a core tenet in his teaching: that print and text-based journalism are the necessary cornerstone of a functioning democratic society.