Sami mckenney, President

Hi everyone! I’m Sami, a first year studying journalism and political science. I adore storytelling through both visuals and words: 

I served as the Design Editor of The Daily Northwestern during winter quarter and the Development and Recruitment Editor during the spring. I also compete with the NU Ethics Bowl team and am part of the Teach for Chicago Journalism initiative as a social media assistant. In my free time, I love to read (my favorite book is Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr), watch movies (Lord of the Rings on repeat), and spend time with my lovely friends! In fact, a huge part of the reason I am excited to lead CRC is because it brought me the relationships I most cherish at NU. If in doubt, you can probably find me and the whole ensemble cast in the third floor lounge of East Fairchild. Reach out anytime!

samimckenney2029@u.northwestern.edu

As President, Sami presides over executive board meetings and All-College Meetings, represents the Communications Residential College on the Residential College Board and during University events, oversees residential college activities, ensures officers fulfill their responsibilities, and organizes CRC's internal elections.

Lauren Podlogar, Vice President

Hiiii!!! My name is Lauren and I am a first year in the School of Communications majoring in Radio/Television/Film. I’m from Libertyville, Illinois (which sounds fake but I swear it’s a real place) but I absolutely love to travel and go places that are not Libertyville, Illinois. On campus, you can find me probably somewhere but I hope you don’t look that hard. Most likely, I’ll be somewhere sketching, on a film set, or studying because I’m a great student. I’m super hyped to be the Vice President of CRC and if you ever have any questions feel free to reach out!!! Please I’m so friendly.

laurenpodlogar2029@u.northwestern.edu

As Vice President, Lauren keeps track of points for all CRC members, administers the yearly housing lottery, coordinates housing assignments for returning CRC members, and acts as the president if and when necessary.

Wilson Schaefer, treasurer

Hi, my name is Wilson Schaefer, and I am a first year studying Physics and Math from Edina, Minnesota. Outside of CRC you’ll find me playing saxophone in the marching band and concert band or doing shifts at the observatory. Some of my hobbies include: collecting fossils, fishing and watching movies. I love CRC for its active community and awesome movie rooms. I’m super excited to be CRC’s Treasurer in the upcoming quarter.

wilsonschaeffer2025@u.northwestern.edu

As treasurer, Wilson maintains CRC's financial records, receives and disburses funds at the direction of the executive board, and works with the Student Organization Finance Office to manage CRC's accounts.

Olivia bakke, secretary

Hi! My name is Olivia Bakke, and I’m a first year studying Computer Science in McCormick from Plymouth, Minnesota. I play the oboe in the Philharmonia orchestra and volunteer in a few elementary classrooms, but there is truly nothing I love more than mind-numbing sitcoms (Modern Family, Brooklyn 99, etc). Please come talk to me about sitcoms (or anything else)!

oliviabakke2029@u.northwestern.edu

As secretary, Olivia records the minutes for executive board meetings and for All-College Meetings, writes the weekly CRC Newsletter, and creates the Tinkle Times, published in the bathroom stalls.

Olivia Lafontaine, Academic Chair

Hey! I’m Olivia Lafontaine and I’m a first year studying RTVF and slowly but surely pursuing a minor in Creative Writing. I am from Minnetonka, Minnesota. When not at CRC, you can find me rehearsing for acapella, on set, putting on a show with Sit&Spin, or just wandering around Evanston! So excited to be here!

olivialafontaine2029@u.northwestern.edu

As the academic chair, Olivia organizes and publicizes firesides and other academic activities at CRC, recruits and retains faculty fellows in conjunction with the Faculty Chair and Executive Board, and supplements the relationship between the Assistant Chair and faculty fellows.

Christina caro, co-social chair

Hi! I’m Christina, and I’m a first year from Lexington, MA studying Creative Writing. When I’m not going to class or planning/attending awesome events for CRC, you can find me writing articles and making crosswords for North by Northwestern, singing in the Alice Millar Chapel Choir, or studying at Norris (with an açaí bowl from ShakeSmart, ofc). For fun, I love playing the NYT Games, baking/cooking, visiting art museums, writing poetry, and listening to indie pop. If you ever want to chat (about literally anything), don’t hesitate to text me! :)

christinacaro2029@u.northwestern.edu

As co-Social Chair, Christina plans and organizes a social event for the residential college at least once every two weeks for a minimum of four per quarter, and coordinates one major social event every quarter.

Samuel Carpenter, Tech Chair

Hi! My name is Samuel Carpenter and I am a first year from Wakefield, Massachusetts studying percussion performance and mathematics. When I’m not at CRC events, practicing or performing music, or grinding out a problem set, I enjoy music production and composition, reading a good book, and shooting pool, in addition to a motley assortment of ever-changing side-quests (I can never decide on hobbies, to the dismay of my wallet). CRC has been such a welcoming community to me since I have arrived here and I am looking forward to being its Tech Chair! Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or need tech support.

samuelcarpenter2029@u.northwestern.edu

As Tech Chair, Samuel is responsible for the general upkeep of CRC's equipment rooms and facilities, buying new equipment and supplies, and administering the CRC film grant.

Nora Barksdale, Munchies Chair

Hello!!! I’m Nora Barksdale, and I am a first-year student from Atlanta, Georgia. I double major in RTVF and Cognitive Science, but I also take an interest in traveling, creating random crafts (inspired by Pinterest, of course), and exploring Chicago. If you’re ever searching, you will always find me in The Blackout comedy group or on a film set. I also love Blood Orange (the musician), The Good Place (the best show ever), and dogs (I miss mine). I’m so excited to be here! Reach out to me if you ever want to chat about surviving these winters or have any munchies recs. 

norabarksdale2029@u.northwestern.edu

As Munchies Chair, Nora is responsible for ordering and retrieving food for various social events.

Riley Doyle, philanthropy chair

Hello! My name is Riley, and I am excited to be your philanthropy chair! It’s a goal of mine to leave my small quarter of the world better than when I found it, and I believe this position will allow me to do that. I’m a first year in Weinberg with a double major in History and Sociology and a double minor in Art and Spanish. I am from the part of Illinois where you tell people you’re from Chicago when you really live in a cornfield 2 hours away. I love animation, all types of sports, the card game Euchre, and exploring the world around me. I’m a lifeguard at SPAC, so if you are ever dying I got your back! If you have questions, suggestions, or just need someone to talk to, my ears are always open :)

rileydoyle2029@u.northwestern.edu

As the philanthropy chair, Riley organizes and publicizes philanthropic activities and opportunities for CRC members at on-campus and off-campus locations, and organizes one major CRC philanthropy event every quarter.

Raine Wang, co-social chair

Hi! My name is Raine Wang, and I am a first year from Connecticut majoring in Journalism and International Studies! My interests include Formula 1, women's basketball, shows and movies like Arcane and Spider-Verse, Kpop... you name it, I probably love it, so please feel free to yap with me about interests at any time! I'm so thrilled to be part of this amazing community and to be working with a fantastic exec board this year!

rainewang2029@u.northwestern.edu

As co-Social Chair, Raine plans and organizes a social event for the residential college at least once every two weeks for a minimum of four per quarter, and coordinates one major social event every quarter.

Xavier Guevara, IM Sports Chair

Hi, I’m Xavier and I’m a first year engineering student from Herndon, Virginia. When not at CRC, you can find me studying at Main or Mudd (never Deering) or hanging out with friends. I love listening to music, so if you see me in the wild I might have headphones in and not hear you but feel free to come say hi! Beyond that I just like doing stuff, so if you ever feel like inviting me to something I’ll probably say yes. I’m super excited to be the CRC Intramural Sports Chair and hope I don’t let you down.

xavierguevara2029@u.northwestern.edu

As IM Sports Chair, Xavier coordinates CRC’s Intramural Sports teams and their games. Past team sports have included Flag Football, Basketball, Soccer, and Softball.