Trained in broadcast and visual media, my career began as a video journalist for Fi0S1 News and has since led me to become a skilled public speaker. My experience spans from reporting on human-interest stories, to hosting podcasts, moderating panel discussions, and delivering remarks at press conferences.

Public Speaking

Podcasting

Broadcast Journalism

In the Spotlight

Pass me the mic. As a passionate storyteller, I love to go beyond writing and use my voice. For more than a decade I have been honing in on my craft, serving as a voice for organizations and companies of the likes of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, Seton Hall University, GiveCampus, and SoFi.

Virtual Hosting

Video Journalism

During my time as a video journalist for the show Push Pause on FiOS1 News, I reported on a myriad of human interest pieces from personal profiles to events, to rallies like the one below addressing critical issues facing the local community.

Under the mentorship of Maria Santana, Emmy-nominated correspondent currently seen on CNN platforms, I learned and gained experience reporting breaking stories and conducting red carpet interviews. Below is an interview with Emmy-award winning host, Rocsi Diaz.

My experience in digital media production for NGL Collective also provided me with opportunities to interview the likes of Rosario Dawson, Wilmer Valderrama, and Maria Teresa Kumar, among others.

Podcasting

Pirate’s Eye on Dr. Enmanuel Mercedes ’02 / M.A. ’05 / Ph.D. ’13 - Episode #36

Dr. Enmanuel Mercedes- is a Latino-American psychologist, professional speaker, and founder of Your Wellness Space™, a mental health service company with the mission to cultivate a life of hope, healing, and harmony. In addition, Dr. Mercedes serves as a consultant to organizations seeking to play an active role in meeting the mental health needs of its members. Dr. Mercedes leadership positions include being the current President of the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey, a board member of the non-profit organization Boys to Leaders and a board member of the ECHA Scholarship Foundation. Dr. Mercedes was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Newark, New Jersey. He lives with his wife and three sons in West Caldwell, NJ. Dr. Mercedes is the first of his family to attend college in the U.S. and is a proud alumnus of Seton Hall University, where he obtained a BA in Psychology, MA in Psychological studies, and Ph.D. in Counseling. mercedesphd.com | yourwellness.spa

Pirate's Eye on Brother Greg '85 - Ep.35

In this episode of Pirate's Eye, we sit down with Brother Gregory Cellini, a Franciscan Brother from Brooklyn whose mission is to embody the Gospel and inspire others to live boldly in God’s Love. As the Director of the Office of Mission, Ministry, and Interfaith Dialogue at St. Francis College, Brother Greg is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and purpose in the workplace through his weekly radio show, Thank God For Monday. With a 29-year career in the pharmaceutical industry before joining the Franciscan Order, he brings a unique perspective to the intersection of faith and professional life.

Pirate’s Eye on Kathy Cunningham - Ep.34

In this episode of the Pirate's Eye Podcast, we sit down with Kathy Cunningham '85, a dedicated community servant, former professional cheerleader, and proud generational Pirate. Kathy shares her journey of keeping her brother Donnie Robertson Jr.’s legacy alive after his tragic death on 9/11. Through her tireless fundraising efforts for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Kathy and her team have raised nearly $2 million to provide mortgage-free homes for Gold Star and fallen first responder families.

Pirate's Eye on Viannca Velez '10 - Ep. 33

In celebration of National Volunteer Month in April, we flipped the script on our podcast host, Viannca Velez '10. Take a listen as our Assistant Director of Alumni Communication and Digital Engagement, Aaron Smith, puts the Pirate Eye on Viannca. Hailing from Jersey City, NJ, Viannca is a communications strategist with over 13 years of experience. As Director of Communications for New York City’s Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, Viannca leads the creation and implementation of the organization’s marketing, public relations and mass communication strategy. Her communications experience includes her career beginnings as a video journalist for Fi0S1 News on Long Island, NY, in-studio tech work at the sports television channel SNY, and digital media management for NGL Media (now NGL Collective). Viannca developed into a communications strategist within the nonprofit sector through her years of working in the advancement departments of Marist High School an

Pirate's Eye on Claudia Guevara-Olivier '12 - Ep. 32

For over a decade, Claudia has dedicated her career to paying it forward by helping college students transform their struggles into success stories. She is a proud first-generation graduate and Educational Opportunity Program alumna. After receiving extensive support from her college counselors at Seton Hall University, she was inspired to pursue a career in higher education. She then earned a master's degree in counseling from Montclair State University and has held various roles in higher education, honing her skills in academic advising and career development. Currently, Claudia serves as the Alumni Director for America Needs You (ANY), a professional development non-profit that empowers first-generation college students through intensive career development and transformative mentorship. In her current role, she oversees national programming and career advancement opportunities for ANY’s growing network of over 2,000 alumni. Viannca Vélez '10, Host Instagram: www.instag

Pirate’s Eye on Father Colin Kay, M.Div. ’04 - Ep. 31

December is such a magical time at Seton Hall and within the Seton Hall community, so who better to have on the show as we are in the thick of the Christmas season than Seton Hall’s Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Father Colin Kay. Father Colin imparts with us so many nuggets of wisdom, his belief about why the spirit of Christmas comes so alive within the Seton Hall community, and also shares his own Seton Hall journey that dates back to his childhood! Take a listen to the December 2023 episode with Father Colin Kay!

Full Court Press: Previewing the Season with Bryan Felt ’97 - Ep. 30

With this season’s tipoff, we’ve scored the inside scoop on all things SHU basketball and the buzz word of the year: NIL. Our host Viannca Velez ’10 sits down with SHU alum and Athletic Director Bryan Felt ’97, to uncover his journey from student to AD, insights on the upcoming season, the Men’s Basketball Practice Facility, and how Name Image & Likeness is impacting all of D1 athletics. Learn more about the Seton Hall University Practice Facility: https://www.shu.edu/investing-in-our-future/basketball-practice-facility.html Support NIL with Onward Setonia: https://www.onwardsetonia.com Connect with our Host: IG: @vianncavelez Want to recommend our next guest? Email alumni@shu.edu.

Pirate’s Eye on Victor Gomez ’17 - Ep. 29

In this episode, our host Viannca Velez sits down with Victor Gomez '17, manager of the Seton Hall Esports team. The team is celebrating their 10th Anniversary, and their Rocket League took home a BIG EAST Conference Championship title this past season.

Pirate’s Eye on Devin Mcguire ’16 - Ep. 28

In this episode, our host Viannca Velez sits down with Devin Mcguire '16, a professional baritone, conductor and music educator. Devin shares with us his journey to becoming a musical artist and the ways in which being a transfer and commuter student during his days at Seton Hall shaped his college experience.

Pirate’s Eye on Bob Sumner ’84 - Ep. 27

As a producer and talent scout with over 25 years of experience, Bob Sumner '84 is responsible for discovering and facilitating the careers of many comedians such as Bernie Mac, Bill Bellamy, Mo’Nique, Chris Tucker, Dave Chapelle, Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps and many more. Sumner graduated from Seton Hall with a degree in Communications. During his time on campus, his career in entertainment was inspired by his heavy involvement in WSOU. Sumner hosted a Friday Night radio showed called Mellow Madness, which became as popular in its time slot as the major radio shows in the tri state area. Since graduating, he has worked at the multinational record label, Def Jam Recordings (1989) and in 1992, he co-founded and helped to lunch HBO’s Def Comedy Jam alongside Russell Simmons. This show went on to change the landscape of urban comedy forever. He is also a curator of Comedy at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY. Some of his most recent work has been through Laff Mobb Enterpr

Cultura Lovers - Ep. 5 - Tourists, Fuera! Taganga, Colombia

What do you do when you are a traveler that finds themselves in the literal middle of a crowded Town Hall meeting where the locals chant, "fuera los turistas!"? Check out this episode to hear how we managed the situation in a small fisherman village on the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia and what we learned from it. This story is from our trip to Colombia in 2013.

Cultura Lovers - Ep. 04 - Libre y Encontrando, Puerto Rico

Traveling to Puerto Rico to perform in two festivals?! Pinch us. Participating as part of Segunda Quimbamba in Salinas, Puerto Rico at El 5to Libre Soberao Festival and then in Cataño at El 9no Encuentro de Tambores was a surreal experience. We reflected on how meaningful the experience was in this podcast episode. Take the trip with us and understand why it was the best weekend of our lives!

Cultura Lovers - Ep. 03 - Jamaica, No Problem

Our trip to Jamaica was bad timing for a tropical vacation, as we set off for a 7-day all inclusive stay in Jamaica, we were greeted by a tropical storm. However, we were also greeted by the warmth of the Jamaican spirit that reminded us there is no problem, everything is all good.

Cultura Lovers - Ep. 02 - Jumping Into the Abyss

We talk about an experience we had in Guatemala involving a plunge into a pitch black cave, bats and total presentness. That experience for us is a metaphor for life; our hesistancy to explore the unknown in our everyday lives, like our biggest dreams, goals, skills and hobbies. We talk about how these physical experiences out of our comfort train the mind to accomplish some of the non physical internal fears we battle.

Cultura Lovers - Ep. 01 - Black History Month: Not Just February

First Episode! We intro the why of this podcast, and talk about how as U.S. Latinos, it took us a second to realize Black History Month isn't just a U.S. thing and it isn't just in February. We share our travel experience in Panama's Bocas del Toro Etnia Negra Festival, as well as our local experience learning Afro Puerto Rican Bomba y Plena with a group called Segunda Quimbamba.

In Person

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