Staff

Christal Gaines-Emory

Christal Gaines-Emory

Editor-in-Chief
Journalism 2024


When I was sending out college applications, I felt very strongly about CSULB. Then when I visited Long Beach, it immediately felt like home. I joined the Daily49er because I wanted to gain experience in journalism while also making a difference on campus and meeting new people with similar career goals. My no-skips album is Electra Heart by MARINA and my go-to comfort shows are Avatar: The Last Airbender & The 100.

Kristina Agresta

Kristina Agresta

Managing Editor
Journalism & French Minor Fall 2024


CSULB has been the perfect school for me. While I didn’t start in the journalism program, I’m so glad to have lucked into a wonderful community with talented writers and professors. I started with the Daily49er as the Social Media Editor and have now found myself on the managing team. My current no-skips album is five seconds flat by Lizzy McAlpine and my all-time favorite comfort show is New Girl.

Leila Nunez

Leila Nunez

Multimedia Managing Editor
Computer Science 2025


I've always had a passion for journalism, but I’ve found myself specifically drawn to the digital side of the field. When I saw the opening for Multimedia Managing Editor I thought it was a great way to do something I love while also making friends. Anything by Harry Styles is a no-skips album for me and Criminal Minds is my go-to comfort show.

Richie Rodriguez

Richie Rodriguez

Community Engagement Editor
Journalism 2023


I chose CSULB because I felt the journalism department was the best fit for me. The diversity of the Long Beach State community drew me to the campus. I hope to enrich the campus community during my time as a student and as the Community Engagement Editor. Beyonce’s self-titled album is a classic for me and I always love watching Schitt’s Creek.

Kaitlyn Rowell

Kaitlyn Rowell

PR & Promotional Manager
Public Relations 2023


I chose the Daily49er because I needed to get involved in a student organization and I just clicked very well with the 49er crew. I first got involved by writing for the publication for a class and now I’m a manager! My no-skip album is An Evening with Silk Sonic and my comfort show is Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Gisele Robinett

Gisele Robinett

Creative Director
Journalism 2023


I joined the Daily Forty-Niner because I was really interested in building on my skills. Collaborating with a big team on news design has not only allowed me to practice design but also to meet so many different people. This is my final year with the 49er and I am very grateful for the time I’ve spent with the team. I recommend Pen15 to watch and CAPRISONGS by FKA Twigs is a perfect album to listen to.

Luis Castilla

Luis Castilla

Design Assistant
Journalism Major 2024


CSULB has one of the best journalism programs in Southern California and I wanted to be part of a team full of high-quality journalists. Hypnic Jerks by Spirit of the Beehive is my favorite album. It makes me feel like I'm in a state between being awake and being asleep, but also like I'm drifting in space.

Jasmine Lee

Jasmine Lee

Graphic Design Assistant
Studio Art & Graphic Design Minor 2023


I decided to join Beach Media because I really wanted to get involved on campus and it was a great opportunity to see what other students were working on. My no-skips albums are all the Cage the Elephant albums and my go-to comfort show is New Girl.

Rosaura Montes

Rosaura Montes

Chief Copy Editor
Journalism 2023


I always thought Long Beach was impossible to attend but now I’m a student here. I decided to join the D49er because I wanted to work with the fantastic staff and gain more experience in journalism before entering the real world. My album recommendation is …Like Clockwork by Queens of the Stone Age and my go-to comfort show is King of the Hill.

Jazmin Arellano Gallardo

Jazmin Arellano Gallardo

Copy Editor Assistant
German MA 2024


I chose CSULB because it has an excellent German program and I felt it was right for me. I wanted to get involved on campus, write, and prepare for a career in publishing, so I applied to D49er and thankfully am now part of our staff. Miss Anthropocene by Grimes is my no-skips album and my comfort show is Jujutsu Kaisen.

Hannah Shields

Hannah Shields

News Editor
Journalism Major and Political Science Minor 2023


Cal State Long Beach has an incredible faculty for their JPR department with seasoned professionals who are passionate about their careers! I chose to join the Daily 49er because it was a great chance to collaborate with fellow students who share my love for journalism and who inspire me every day. I am currently obsessed with grandson, which is a mix of alternative rock and EDM. This music kind of communicates with my soul, no explanation. For my comfort show, I just finished watching "Anne with an E" and I'm very much tempted to re-watch the series! This show makes me want to romanticize life again.

Kadie Gurley

Kadie Gurley

Arts & Life Editor
Journalism Major 2023


Long Beach is a diverse and community driven city which is why I chose to study at CSULB! ANTI by Rihanna is my no-skip album (still crying from her Superbowl performance btw) and my comfort show is “That’s 70s Show”.

Stacey Chen

Stacey Chen

Arts & Life Assistant
English Creative Writing 2023


I chose CSULB because I love living near Los Angeles while being close to the beach. I used to live in Las Vegas, and I never felt like I fit in. But when I moved to LA I realized I found it to be the place for me, and I wanted to be a part of that world while going to a great college. I decided on the D49er because I wanted to have experience working and writing with a diverse group of people. Every album by Mitski is a no-skips album for me, and my go-to comfort show is Puella Magi.

Andrea Lopez

Andrea Lopez

Arts & Life Assistant
Journalism Major 2023


I joined Daily 49er to grow as a journalist. I have been pushed out of my comfort zone and have grown in more ways than I could imagine. I am so thankful for a team that is always supportive and willing to help. My favorite no-skips album is any High School Musical album. My favorite TV show is Sex and the City.

Matthew Gomez

Matthew Gomez

Sports Editor

Nicholas Broadhead

Nicholas Broadhead

Sports Assistant
Journalism 2024


I decided to work for the Daily Forty-Niner because I wanted to continue gaining meaningful experience writing for a publication. I’m hoping my time at the 49er will help me become the best editor I can be before I go off into the journalism industry. I don’t have a no-skips album, but my comfort show is The Big Bang Theory.

Emmanuel Barrera

Emmanuel Barrera

Sports Assistant
Journalism Major 2024


I chose CSULB because of its diversity on campus. For the Daily Forty-Niner, I was attracted to the opportunities it provides to future journalists. My no-skips album is A Love Letter to You 3 by Trippie Redd, and my comfort show is How I Met Your Mother.

Naoki Gima

Naoki Gima

Sports Assistant
Journalism Major 2024


I chose to attend CSULB because it’s a great school and it’s close to home. I also decided to work for the Daily49er to have the opportunity to work with great people and grow. My no-skips album is 4 Your Eyez Only. My go-to comfort show is Community.

Georgie Smith

Georgie Smith

Opinions Editor
Journalism 2024


I chose the Daily 49er because I wanted to get more involved with the JPR program and get hands on experience working for a publication. I feel like working on the 49er has given me a chance to meet other talented journalists while also expanding my skill set as an editor and writer. My no-skips album is Swimming by Mac Miller, and my go-to comfort show is Adventure Time.

El Nicklin

El Nicklin

Opinions Assistant
Philosophy Major and Photography and Graphic Design Minor 2024


From a young age, I was interested in CSULB because members of my family had fulfilling experiences here. The koi pond was also a significant deciding factor. I joined the Daily 49er to be more involved in the campus community and explore a career interest. My current no-skips album is The Bends by Radiohead, and my comfort show is Malcolm in the Middle.

Sam Farfan

Sam Farfan

Special Projects Coordinator
Journalism Major and Communications Minor 2024


Knowing that CSULB offered a strong journalism program, pursuing an education here was a no-brainer. From the different publications to the extensive work opportunities, the JPR Department felt like the perfect fit for my journalistic endeavors. I then chose to write for the Daily 49er to expand my writing and interviewing skills while making impactful work to serve the greater Long Beach community. My no-skips album is Around the Fur by Deftones and my go-to comfort show is Shameless.

Isabel Silagy

Isabel Silagy

Podcast Editor
Political Science 2023


CSULB is my family school, and both the POSC and JOUR departments cater perfectly to my areas of interest in terms of studies and career plans. Working for The Daily 49er seemed like the perfect step to take in my collegiate career and it has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my undergraduate experience. My no-skips album is "Cub" by Wunderhorse and my comfort show is "The West Wing".

Lei Madrigal

Lei Madrigal

Podcast Host
Journalism Major 2025


I have always been drawn to news reporting in any form but the most compelling to me has always been news radio or talk shows. As a young child I would listen to NPR in the car with my dad every morning on the way to school so news radio has been sort of burned into my brain ever since. Which is exactly why I figured I would use my interest in radio to keep CSULB students informed through our Daily49er Beach Weekly podcast! My no-skips album is Sling by Clairo and my go-to comfort show is FLCL.

Andy Nguyen

Andy Nguyen

Sound Assistant
Film and Electronic Arts 2023

I joined the Daily Forty-Niner because I wanted to get involved in a student organization that focuses on covering a variety of news. Being part of the Daily Forty-Niner gave me the opportunity to work on multiple news podcasts. My no-skip album is "Blue Neighbourhood" by Troye Sivan and my go-to comfort show is "Adventure Time."

Luke Wines

Luke Wines

Video Editor
Political Science 2025


I've lived in Long Beach my whole life, it's an amazing city with people from all walks of life, and the same is true for CSULB. The Daily49er's commitment to editorial independence from CSULB is commendable and a big part of what drew me to the paper. My no-skips album is by far "How Do You Love?" by The Regrettes and my go-to comfort show is easily How I Met Your Mother, an amazing show with a wonderful plot... if you don't think about the ending.

Tatiahna Bentley

Tatiahna Bentley

Video Assistant
Film (Theory & Practice) Major and Korean Minor 2023


Despite being a video assistant in the Daily 49er, I have the creative freedom to focus on topics that relate to what is going on for each issue. I found the Daily 49er as a way to gain experience. For my no-skips albums, I couldn’t decide between Moodswings In To Order by DPR Ian and Transition by N’Shai Iman. My comfort show is Ouran Host Club.

Ella McDonald

Ella McDonald

Video Assistant
Technical Theatre Major 2025


I chose to be a part of the Daily 49er because I wanted more creative outlets and to get involved on campus. My no-skips album is The OOZ by King Krule and my comfort show is Letterkenny.

Sonny Tapia

Sonny Tapia

Photo Editor


I chose CSULB for the journalism department as a whole. The Daily 49er was something I also wanted to join since I came from my campus paper at ELAC. My no-skips album is Blonde by Frank Ocean.

Renzo Pocasangre

Renzo Pocasangre

Photo Assistant
Political Science 2024


I decided to join the Daily49er because I felt that it was an exciting opportunity to contribute my skills to the university while pushing the boundaries of my photography abilities. My no-skips album is Stadium Arcadium by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and my go-to comfort show is Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back.

Armando Jacobo

Armando Jacobo

Photo Assistant

Maureen Linzaga

Maureen Linzaga

Social Media Editor
Journalism Major 2024


As a creative person, Daily Forty-Niner allowed me to expand on my journalistic skills both in writing and multimedia, further learning from my colleagues and advisors in the process. My no-skips album is Nicole by NIKI and my comfort show is Haikyuu.

Montse Palmerin

Montse Palmerin

Social Media Assistant
Journalism Major 2023


I landed in the Journalism department because I missed the deadline to declare my social work major as a 2nd year… but luckily everything happens for a reason because I realized this is my passion! I was interested in joining the Daily 49er because the team is very creative and ambitious, so I'm excited to soak up as much knowledge and inspiration as I can from them for my last semester. My current no-skips album is Un Verano Sin Ti and Folklore. My comfort show that I love having in the background of my room is Jane the Virgin.

Ani Gutierrez

Ani Gutierrez

Social Media Assistant
Journalism Major 2024


I chose CSULB because I’ve always wanted to live in SoCal and Long Beach is beautiful and close to so many beaches. I chose to work with the Daily49er because I enjoy being involved with the production of the school’s news and helping spread information to students and the community through social media. My no-skips album is Flower Boy by Tyler the Creator and my comfort show is How I Met Your Mother.

Kimberly Estrada

Copy Editor Assistant
Public Relations & Spanish Minor 2023


I decided to start working for the Daily Forty-Niner because it's a great student-run publication and I wanted to get more experience in the journalism industry, specifically within a newspaper environment. My no-skips album is American Teen by Khalid and my go-to comfort show is Friends.

Jaylen Minnich

News Assistant


I came to CSULB because I knew that it had a great journalism program that I was dedicated to being apart of. My no-skips album is Circles by Mac Miller and my comfort TV show is Misadventures of Flapjack.

Aidan Swanepoel

Sound Assistant
FEA Theory and Practice of Cinema 2025

Ever since I was little I wanted to attend CSULB! My mom went here like 1,000 years ago and I always heard about it growing up so it seemed natural to go here! Since being at CSULB, I see D49er stuff EVERYWHERE around campus. I started listening to the podcasts to keep up on news in LB and SoCal and eventually worked up the courage to actually apply as a podcast editing assistant and the rest is history! My no-skips album is "Phantoms" by Marianas Trench. My go to comfort show is either "The Nanny" or "Avatar: The Last Airbender!"

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