About us
We’re MacEwan University’s student publication. We cover the latest goings-on around the city centre campus, Edmonton’s downtown core, and whatever else matters to MacEwan students. Our team is composed of journalists, writers, and creatives.
We care about supplying MacEwan with honest reporting, quality media, and good vibes.
The Griff has been around since 2011 as a campus newspaper before becoming a magazine in 2015. We currently print seven issues from September to April, excluding December.
Get ahold of us here:
info@thegriff.ca
780-497-5715
The Team
THAI SIRIKOONE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Yo, I’m Thai. I started contributing with the Griff back in 2015 and worked as the online editor from 2016 to 2019 before graduating from MacEwan in 2020. I enjoy swimming, orcs, dwarves, house music, and anything to do with Edmonton.
If I were an animal, I’d be a hare.
eic@thegriff.ca
780-497-5715
Payton Phillips
Features editor
Hey, I’m Payton. I worked at the Griff last year as an Assistant Editor, and am back this year as a Features Editor! In my free time, I enjoy baking, checking out the farmer’s market and going to spin classes. I’m also a coffee fanatic — an iced oat milk latte is the way to my heart.
If I were an animal, I’d be a butterfly.
Aajah sauter
opinions and culture editor
Hi, I’m Aajah. I am returning as the opinion and culture editor this year! Dancer, lover of Neo-Soul r&b, avid live music show attendee, and, allegedly, gatekeeper of all things cool, the YEG arts community is what makes my world spin ’round.
If I were an animal, I’d be a baby goat.
Liam Newbigging
News editor
Hey, I’m Liam. Being a writer means I know many big, fancy words like ostentatious and surreptitious. But as a news editor, I know not to use them. I’ve suffered third-degree burns, survived trips to Florida, and done even more ridiculous things unrelated to the news. Most importantly, I know what’s going on at MacEwan. If you stop me in the halls, I will be sure to tell you all about it.
If I was an animal, I’d be a Dumbo Octopus.
Joelle Fagan
copy editor
Hey, I’m Joelle. I am in my fourth year of the Communications program. In 2022, I decided that I liked the idea of writing articles and started contributing to the Griff. Now, I get to help other contributors fine-tune their craft. My hobbies include volunteering at the Garneau Theatre, gaming, playing the guitar, and hate-watching bad Steven Seagal and Adam Sandler movies.
If I were an animal, I’d be a silky anteater.
Sam Poier
photo editor
Hey there, I’m Sam, a third-year design student at MacEwan University. I’m passionate about photography, illustration, and graphic design. I’m not just about work though – I embrace my inner silliness and proudly indulge in hobbies like model painting and video games. As a freelance illustrator, I love to bring people’s characters to life. Beyond design, my heart belongs to the birds!
If I was an animal, I’d probably be a black cat.
Shelby Mandin
graphics editor
Hey! I’m Shelby, a Bachelor of Design student in my 4th year here at MacEwan. I love drawing, gardening, cooking, and having more hobbies than necessary. I’ll never let lactose intolerance stop me.
If I was an animal, I’d be a red panda.
Leanna Bressan
Online editor
Hey there! I’m Leanna. I am on my way to completing my Journalism degree. My love of superheroes, crocheting, and writing keeps me up at night. My goal for this year is to encourage others to write, either for The Griff or themselves.
If I were an animal, I’d be Ural Owl.
Sean Bell
digital content editor
Whattup! I‘m Sean and I love horror movies and Mac ‘n cheese. I‘ve been freelance writing for various organizations since 2018. I‘m excited to produce all kinds of great digital Content for the Griff.
Partly Canadian, partly Leprechaun, my animal form is a panda.