CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONGRATULATES TSEHAI ALFRED ON APPOINTMENT AS EDITOR IN CHIEF OF THE COLUMBIA DAILY SPECTATOR

For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps

January 12, 2026 202-813-2793

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONGRATULATES TSEHAI ALFRED ON APPOINTMENT AS EDITOR IN CHIEF OF THE COLUMBIA DAILY SPECTATOR

U.S. Virgin Islands- Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement congratulating Tsehai Alfred, a St. Croix native and former intern in her St. Croix district office, on her historic appointment as Editor in Chief and President of The Columbia Daily Spectator at Columbia University. Ms. Alfred is the first Black editor-in-chief of the publication, which is the second-oldest college daily newspaper in the United States and has been recognized as the best student newspaper in the country by the Society of Professional Journalists.

A graduate of Good Hope Country Day School, where she restarted the school newspaper, Ms. Alfred once interned in Congresswoman Plaskett's St. Croix district office. During the summer of her freshman year at Columbia University, where she is studying English, Tsehai interned with the Virgin Islands Consortium, producing critical reporting that directly benefited the St. Croix business community. Her coverage of an obscure solid waste ordinance led to the cancellation of unwarranted fines for Christiansted businesses and resulted in the Waste Management Authority establishing a territory-wide public education initiative to ensure business owners understood their compliance obligations.

"I am incredibly proud of Tsehai and all that she has accomplished," said Congresswoman Plaskett. "Tsehai has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ethical journalism, community service, and giving voice to those who have been overlooked. The Virgin Islands is fortunate to have such a brilliant young woman representing our community on the national stage, and I have no doubt she will continue to make us proud."

"Working with Tsehai was an absolute privilege," said Tionee Scotland, Communications Director for Congresswoman Plaskett. "From day one, her intellectual curiosity, exceptional writing ability, and remarkable eye for graphic design set her apart. But what truly distinguished Tsehai was her genuine commitment to public service-she approached every assignment, whether drafting communications or researching policy issues, with the same level of excellence and attention to detail that you would expect from a seasoned professional. When her internship concluded, our office felt the loss deeply. That said, we couldn't be more proud of her historic appointment as Editor in Chief of The Columbia Daily Spectator. Tsehai has the rare combination of brilliance, integrity, and purpose that defines truly transformative journalists. We are excited to watch her continue making an impact that will undoubtedly extend far beyond the campus.

Throughout her career, Ms. Alfred has maintained a steadfast focus on serving her community through journalism that informs, engages, and drives meaningful change. As she assumes leadership of The Spectator, she brings the same values of integrity and community-centered reporting that defined her work in the Virgin Islands.

Congresswoman Plaskett commends Ms. Alfred's dedication to uplifting her home community through her work and congratulates her on this well-deserved achievement.

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