There will be some new faces in charge of the Minnesota Daily starting May 5. 

The Minnesota Daily Board announced Spencer White, the Daily’s current opinion desk editor, will be the Daily’s new Editor-in-Chief (EIC) for the 2024-25 academic year, along with marketing copyright executive Destanee Ulrich as the new marketing and engagement officer. 

Spencer White: Editor-in-Chief

White began his career at the Daily in 2022 as an opinion columnist before being promoted to the opinion editor for the 2023-2024 school year. 

As White steps into his new position as EIC, he wants to foster a strong culture among Daily employees through more in-person interactions such as in-person workshops and internal Daily events. 

“I want to sustain and cultivate [a culture] at the Daily where people are in the office, people are excited to work with each other and at the Daily,” White said. 

White also hopes to increase the Daily’s community engagement efforts on campus, which include more efforts to highlight the campus community and expanding the Daily’s Content Diversity Board. 

“We’re a news organization,” White said. “We should be connecting with the community and we should be doing so in a way that we’re illuminating voices that aren’t usually heard.” 

After the decision was made, White said he felt honored to be chosen as the next EIC out of four Daily employees in the running for the position. 

“It could have been any one of us,” White said. “It’s really an honor. This is an institution I care a lot about.” 

Brady Gervais, chair of the Daily Board, said she is excited to see White’s commitment to fostering culture at the Daily. 

“We believe Spencer’s passion and experience in a variety of journalism roles will make a positive impact on the Daily moving forward,” Gervais said. 

Destanee Ulrich: Marketing and Engagement Officer 

Ulrich started at the Daily in 2023 as a marketing associate before becoming the marketing copyright executive in March 2023. 

“I am excited to be the next Marketing and Engagement Officer for a place as amazing as the Daily,” Ulrich said.

She hopes to create stronger relationships within the Daily’s internal units, and through student groups and departments at the University of Minnesota to increase its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.  

“Her involvement throughout the University of Minnesota and Minnesota Daily experience position her for success,” Gervais said in a statement to The Minnesota Daily.

Ulrich is currently planning a First Amendment event set to take place this September.

“I want to have introductory meetings with organizations and have awareness when reaching out to these groups, because there’s a lot of multicultural groups out there.” 

Ulrich, who is an English and strategic communications double major, said she is willing to learn about The Daily’s journalism practices so she can foster a community among Daily staff. 

“I would like to meet with the training Editor-in-Chief to discuss their breakdown with editorial, from the copy desk and reporters,” Ulrich said. “Taking those leadership positions and having them interact with our leadership in business and admin, so everyone is like ‘Oh my gosh, I know who this desk editor is.’”

Correction: A previous misstated Ulrich’s first role at The Daily, as well as when she started her second role. She was a marketing associate and started the marketing and copyright executive role in March 2023

This article has been updated.