In February 2025, Kerry McAuley has been named editor-in-chief of The Guidon, taking on the role during a critical time for the publication.
Kerry is a sophomore civilian majoring in communications. She is 22 years old and from Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
“Taking on the editor-in-chief position at such a monumental time in The Guidon’s history is undeniably daunting, but I’m eager for this new chapter,” McAuley said. “As someone who is naturally stubborn and not afraid to ruffle some feathers, I believe this role is a perfect fit for me.”
Kerry steps into leadership as The Guidon works to rebuild after a six-month standstill. She hopes to push boundaries in reporting while creating a newsroom culture that encourages collaboration and creativity.
“I want to push our team to think outside the box, break boundaries, and never shy away from publishing hard-hitting stories,” McAuley said. “More often than not, when journalism feels a little intimidating, it means you’re on the right track.”
Beyond reporting, Kerry envisions The Guidon as a haven for students who may feel out of place. She seeks to build an environment that is both welcoming and driven.
“I hate to be cliché, but The Guidon truly is so much more than a newspaper; it’s a family,” McAuley said. “I want that one kid who feels out of place or is struggling to find their footing at Norwich to know they have a home with us.”
One of the biggest challenges ahead is the absence of The Guidon’s longtime advisor, Dr. Shane Graber. His departure leaves a leadership gap that the team is still adjusting to.
“Beyond his deep expertise in journalism, Dr. Graber brought an energy to our newsroom that was truly infectious,” McAuley said. “Quite frankly, he was the backbone of The Guidon, and his absence is deeply felt by us all.”
Bennett Oakes, The Guidon’s digital editor, praised Kerry’s leadership and her ability to keep the team motivated through recent challenges.
“I’ve really grown to admire her ability to inspire and motivate people into coming together as a team,” said Bennett Oakes, 19, a junior corps of cadet’s communications major from Pawtucket, Connecticut. “Even though there were only a couple of us available on any given day to fight the good fight, you could really get the sense that she loved working with everyone and leading the charge when needed.”
Professor Christopher Wiersema, The Guidon’s new faculty advisor, expressed optimism about Kerry’s leadership and the paper’s future.
“I think Kerry is a student who has great leadership skills, and from what I’ve seen, she can effectively organize and communicate with The Guidon staff,” Wiersema said. “She also seems to have a hear to the ground on the Northfield community at large, which has the potential to connect The Guidon to the town and greater community.”
As Kerry steps into her role, she is focused on not just maintaining The Guidon, but making it a defining presence on campus once again.
“As she enters the role, I imagine that one of her first and biggest challenges to overcome will be building The Guidon back to what it used to be,” Oakes said. “With Kerry’s collaborative and humble leadership style as well as the positive working relationship that The Guidon Staff has already built with one another, we can end this semester on a high note and continue to come back swinging!”
