Headshot of Israel Balderas

Israel Balderas

Assistant Professor of Journalism

Department: Journalism

Office and address: Schar Hall- Communications Bld, Office 210D 2850 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Phone number: (336) 278-5671

Professional Expertise

First Amendment Attorney, Media Ethics, Broadcast Journalism, Federal Communications Commission Rules and Regulations

Brief Biography

J. Israel Balderas is an Emmy® Award-winning news professional, journalism educator, and First Amendment attorney whose career spans decades of investigative reporting, documentary production, and transformative academic leadership. As an assistant professor of journalism at Elon University, he brings his multifaceted experience to courses in Media Law and Ethics, TV reporting, and innovative programs bridging political communication with civic engagement.

Before transitioning to academia, Balderas built his reputation through fearless reporting and anchoring at major local TV stations across Florida, North Carolina, and Texas, earning multiple industry accolades including an Emmy® for Best Continuing Coverage and recognition from the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas as best TV news anchor. His experience also includes work as a producer for FOX News Channel, where he contributed to flagship programs like Special Report with Brit Hume and FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace.

Balderas's commitment to journalistic excellence extends beyond the newsroom. As an attorney, he has provided vital pro bono support, representing migrant children at the U.S.-Mexican border and helping nonprofits navigate crucial financial aid during the Covid crisis. His leadership proved instrumental during his tenure with the Society of Professional Journalists, where he guided the organization through a significant fiscal challenge as national treasurer and chaired the SPJ Legal Defense Fund, overseeing court filings that protected the free practice of journalism.

His legal expertise was shaped by formative experiences, including a clerkship with the Honorable Judge Royce C. Lamberth at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and work as a media advisor in the Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. As a graduate of The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, he combines legal acumen with journalistic integrity in both his teaching and research on government regulation of expression and newsgathering.

Currently serving on the board of the Solutions Journalism Network, Balderas champions a revolutionary approach to news that balances critical reporting of problems with rigorous coverage of potential solutions. This philosophy informed his Emmy®-winning documentary "Four Families in Mafraq," an experiential learning project that took students to Northern Jordan to document Syrian refugee families, earning additional Telly, AVA Digital, and Communicator awards.

Balderas continues to influence both the practice and study of journalism, fostering media literacy and civil discourse while protecting democratic values in our rapidly evolving digital landscape. His work demonstrates that the most powerful journalism not only illuminates challenges but also lights the path toward their resolution.

Links

News & Notes

Education

Juris Doctor

The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law,  Washington, D.C. (2006)

  • Concentration: Specialized study in the Institute for Communications Law Studies

  • Staff Associate and Comments Author, CommLaw Conspectus: Journal of Communications Law and Technology Policy (2004 – 2005) (now, Catholic University Journal of Law and Technology)

Bachelor of Science, Mass Media Communication and Bachelor of Arts, Theology

Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Okla. (1994)

General Education Studies

University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas (1989)

 

Employment History

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

Elon University, Elon, N.C. (August 2021 – Present)

Assistant Professor of Journalism (tenure track), School of Communications

Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Assistant Professor of Journalism, School of Communication and Media (January 2017 – June 2021)

  • Courses taught: Foundations of Journalism, News Reporting, Broadcast Journalism, News Editing, Investigative Reporting (Solutions Journalism), Media Law, Public Speaking and Civil Discourse and Civil Disobedience
  • Faculty advisor to student-led campus newsroom, The Beacon Today

Adjunct Professor of Journalism, School of Communication and Media (January 2015 – December 2016)

  • Course taught: Media Law, Writing for Broadcast and Journalism for the Web

The University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky. (June – August 2020)

Lecturer, College of Communication and Information, School of Journalism and Media

  • Media Law: taught a 500-level online synchronous summer course for journalism majors

TV JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE

WPEC-TV (CBS) and WTVX-TV (CW), West Palm Beach, Fla.

Anchor/Reporter, September 2013 – November 2016

  • Weekday investigative reporter and weekend anchor, whose responsibilities included editorial decision-making and managing reporters, editors and assignment desk. Used social media to interact with viewers, promote newscasts and report breaking or developing news. Won a regional Emmy Award and anchored an award-winning newscast selected by the Florida AP for best weather coverage.

WCCB-TV (FOX), Charlotte, N.C.

Anchor/Reporter, September 2010 – May 2013

  • Primetime news anchor and enterprise reporter for the market’s top-rated 10:00 p.m. newscast. Responsibilities included newsgathering, writing and editing daily news pieces. Led station coverage of the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Selected “Anchor of the Year” by the Radio TV Digital News Association of the Carolinas. Portrayed a reporter in Showtime’s “Homeland” pilot episode.

KFOX-TV (FOX), El Paso, Texas

Anchor/Reporter, September 2007 – September 2009

  • News anchor for three-hour morning newscast. Covered government waste, drug cartels, border issues and the immigration debate as an investigative reporter. Traveled to San Diego in 2007 and filed live reports on California’s wildfires. Covered Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Washington, D.C. in 2008.

FOX News Channel and FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace, Washington, D.C.

Producer, March 2003 – April 2004/September 2005 – April 2007

  • Pitched, researched and produced segments for “FOX News Sunday with Christ Wallace.” Duties included fact-checking topics and guests. Line produced during live broadcast of Sunday show. Produced daily news reports for “Special Report with Brit Hume.” Responsibilities included newsgathering, topical research, scriptwriting and video editing reporter packages on deadlines.

Politics.com, Voter.com, PBS, Reuters America, Associated Press TV (Latin America), Washington, D.C.

Freelance Reporter/Producer, September 2000 – May 2003

  • Wrote for various political news web startups. Line and segment produced for various PBS public affairs programs. Covered the 9/11 attacks at the Pentagon and filed subsequent reports from Florida on travel impact and trauma hospital preparation for potential biological attacks. Produced bilingual news reports from Latin America for video wire service.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Society of Professional Journalists, Legal Defense Fund

Committee Chair (2021 – 2023)

  • Directed the organization’s various court filings related to protecting the First Amendment. Managed the Society’s financial interest in providing journalists with legal or direct financial assistance entangled in litigation.

We The Action, USA

Pro Bono Attorney (2020 – 2021)

  • Provided legal assistance to nonprofits applying for financial aid through the Paycheck Protection Program funded by the Small Business Administration under the CARES Act.

The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, Los Angeles, CA

Pro Bono Attorney (2018 – 2020)

  • Represented migrant children separated from their parents at the border.
  • Investigated conditions at the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children as part of an ongoing lawsuit involving the Flores Settlement Agreement.
  • Wrote litigation reports on federal violations by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Based on our findings, all unaccompanied children were relocated to more humane locations in August 2019.

Private Clients, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Of Counsel, May 2017 – May 2020

  • Corporate clients employed my writing, editing and legal research skills to help sharpen their litigation practice materials. Drafted pleadings, motions and appellate briefs focused on civil procedure, maritime law, declaratory judgments, and contract law.

Legal Graphicswork, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Consultant, 2017 – 2021

  • Produced documentaries depicting lives of accident victims for use in legal proceedings.

Cole, Raywid & Braverman, LLP, Washington, D.C.

Summer Associate, May 2005 – August 2005

  • Responsibilities included legal research and writing for summary judgment motions regarding breach of contract and corporate existence question, a Patriot Act memorandum on regulating money transfers via mobile devices, and FCC wireless rules for radio apps.

Federal Communications Commission, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Washington, D.C.

Media Advisor to the Office of Bureau Chief, May 2004 – May 2005

  • Coordinated and developed strategies with legal staff to convey policy to the general public. Wrote press releases and explained communications law and policy to media. Designed multimedia web campaign for 800 MHz public safety initiative.

Legal Internship, September 2003 – December 2003

  • Researched and drafted policy memoranda on statutory interpretation for E-911 Report and Order. Designed media strategy for conveying enactment of local number portability policy

The Hon. Senior Judge Royce C. Lamberth, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

Student Law Clerk, September 2004 – May 2005

  • Researched and drafted judicial opinions and orders on product liability cases and California state law abstention questions.

 

Courses Taught

Since arriving at Elon in 2021, I have taught the following classes:

  • GBL 1070/2070: The Presidential Campaign Starts Here: The First Primaries (Study USA)

  • COR 1100: The Global Experience (Core)

  • COM 3150: Multimedia News Production

  • COM 3340: Politics and Media

  • COM 4000: Media Law and Ethics

 

Leadership Positions

Member, Board of Directors, Solutions Journalism Network (July 2023 – Present)

  • What is Solutions Journalism? Rigorous and compelling reporting about responses to social problems, which includes these key elements:

    1. RESPONSE: Focuses on a response to a social problem — and on how that response has worked, or why it hasn’t

    2. INSIGHT: Shows what can be learned from a response and why it matters to a newsroom’s audience

    3. EVIDENCE: Provides data or qualitative results that indicate effectiveness (or lack thereof)

    4. LIMITATIONS: Places responses in context; doesn’t shy away from revealing shortcomings

Treasurer-Secretary (elected), Society of Professional Journalists (Oct. 2022 – Oct. 2023)

  • The treasurer-secretary is responsible for overseeing the financial well-being of the Society, managing all receipts, disbursements, assets and liabilities for the organization. The person in this position also has the responsibility to inform the president, the board, and its members about the Society’s annual budget.

Member, Board of Directors, Society of Professional Journalists Foundation (formerly Sigma Delta Chi Foundation) (Nov. 2021 – Oct. 2023)

  • The foundation's mission is to perpetuate a free press as a cornerstone of our nation and our liberty. It is the role of journalists to provide fair, balanced and accurate information in a comprehensive, timely and understandable manner.

Member, Board of Directors, Society of Professional Journalists (Sep. 2021 – Oct. 2023)

  • The board of directors shall encourage and assist professional chapters and communities in carrying on activities of a professional nature in furtherance of the Society's aims and to enhance and strengthen the professional aspects of journalism.

Chair, Legal Defense Fund Committee, Society of Professional Journalists (Sep. 2021 – Oct. 2023)

  • The Society of Professional Journalists collects and distributes contributions for aiding journalists in defending the freedom of speech and press guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

  • The primary role of the Legal Defense Fund is to initiate and support litigation that enforces public access to government records and proceedings, which can be the most expensive way to defend the First Amendment.

  • The fund can also be a source of support for FOI hotlines, coalitions and newsletters, as well as for legislative lobbying activities aimed at enforcing public access to government records and proceedings.

 

Research

Federal Communications Commission Filings

In the Matter of 2022 Quadrennial Review of Media Ownership Rules, MB Docket No. 22-459, Reply Comments by Christopher Terry, Caitlin R. Carlson and Israel Balderas, March 20, 2023

In the Matter of 2022 Quadrennial Review of Media Ownership Rules, MB Docket No. 22-459, Comments by Christopher Terry, Caitlin R. Carlson and J. Israel Balderas, March 1, 2023

Peer-Reviewed/Refereed Research Paper Presentations

Balderas, J.I., & Terry, C., (2023). “Strict Scrutiny Applies: Except in Texas, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota and….” Presented at AEJMC 105th Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. (August)

Balderas, J.I. & Hartle, A., (2022). “Going beyond ‘reasonable accommodations’: a case study into how implementing a ‘duty to investigate’ mindset can help college students with physical disabilities.” Presented at BEA On-Location 2022, Colorado State University (October)

  • The lead author’s case study set out to investigate how a student with quadriplegia (co-author) could enroll in a multimedia news production course and succeed despite its heavy emphasis on camera field work. The challenge was to make accommodations that adhered to federal law while engaging the student and maintaining the academic quality of the course.

 

Current Projects

Winter Term 2024

GBL 2070: The Presidential Campaign Starts Here: The First Primaries

Looking ahead to this year’s presidential election, I collaborated with political science instructor Jill Auditori to propose a specialized course for the Winter Term. In previous presidential election years, Elon University students traveled to Iowa to study the state's role in the presidential primary as a caucus state. However, the course, "Iowa: The Trail Starts Here" – did not qualify as a Study USA course. To achieve this, we did two things: 1) submitted a revamped syllabus to the Global Education Curriculum Committee (GECC) to include a predeparture seminar for the Fall; 2) expanded the travel to include two states - South Carolina and New Hampshire.

The one-hour Fall seminar course (GBL 1070) helped prepare students academically, interculturally, and logistically for their on-the-ground engagement with the 2024 first presidential primaries in South Carolina (Democratic Party) and New Hampshire (Republican Party). We chose these states because they offered a more diverse, equitable and inclusive voter demographic than Iowa.

In this seminar, students developed a deep understanding of the primary system and the role that political parties, historical precedent, and the media play in the process. It also helped students understand the multiple dimensions of human experience within and across cultures and environments; Examine one’s responsibilities as an active global citizen informed by multiple cultural perspectives; it also prepared students to participate in community and civic engagement by examining the roles of democracy, political parties, the primary process, the electoral college, voter participation, news coverage, and political discourse in the presidential primaries.

Grants Awarded

 

CATL Teaching Conference Grant, October 2024 ($1,000)

  • Supporting “Student Engagement…” paper presentation at Northeastern Political Science Association 56th Annual Conference, Boston, MA

CATL Teaching & Learning Grant, 2024 – 2025 ($4,500)

The Turnage Family Faculty Innovation and Creativity Fund Grant for the Study of Political Communication, April 2024 ($5,000)

  • Project Title: “The N.C. Coalición por la Precisión: Combating Misinformation and Disinformation Targeting North Carolina’s Latino Communities in the 2024 Election.”  
  • Co-Principal Investigators: J. Israel Balderas, Matthew Blomberg, Jill Auditori

Information Technology AI Grant, April 2024 ($240)

  • Project Title: “Integrating the AI-powered platform Poe in Media Law & Ethics”
  • The grant supported the purchase of a Poe AI subscription for one year.

Fund for Excellence In The Arts and Science, April 2024 ($2,000)

  • Project Title: “Alumni Voices: Conversations with Political Insiders on the 2024 Election.” The grant helped fund a speaker’s series led by Elon alumni working as political insiders and timed for the Fall 2024 Elections.
  • These conversations aimed at deepening students’ understanding of contemporary political issues, fostering interdisciplinary thinking, and inspiring the meaningful application of knowledge during an important election year.

CATL Teaching Conference Grant, October 2022 ($1,000)

  • Supporting research-in-progress presentation at BEA on Location at Colorado State University titled, “Going beyond ‘reasonable accommodations’: a case study into how implementing a ‘duty to investigate’ mindset helps students with physical disabilities.”

LEDE Fellowship, Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) (2019 – 2020)

  • SJN’s inaugural program supporting journalism entrepreneurs to create and lead projects that spread solutions journalism in their communities. The year-long project resulted in several student articles published in the Solutions Story Tracker database.

Publications

Articles

"Unmasking government control goes beyond Supreme Court social media case," Restoration News Media, Oct. 21, 2023 (Elon University Writers Syndicate)

“Holding the powerful accountable is the legacy of Watergate,” On Watergate break-in’s 50th Anniversary, Elon Journalism Faculty Assess Scandal’s Impact on Modern Media (June 2022)

“The NYTimes Editorial Board Needs Diversity in More Ways Than One,” opinion column, LatinoRebels.com, Jan. 21, 2020 (Latino Rebels is owned by Futuro Media Group)

Law Review

Speaking with One Broadband Voice: The Case for a Unified Circuit Appeals Process After Brand X Internet Services v. FCC, 13 CommLaw Conspectus 377 (2005)

Creative Works - News Documentary

Producer, “Four Families in Mafraq” (2018- 2020)

  • An experiential creative project involving students majoring in journalism, film and intracultural studies. The production team traveled to Northern Jordan in June 2017 to shoot a film consisting of documenting the survival of four Syrian families forced to escape a civil war. These strangers in a foreign land shared how they tried to make sense of suffering and loss, hoping to restore their lives outside the Zaatari Camp in Mafraq, Jordan

Presentations

Refereed Research Panel Sessions

Panelist, "Don’t Say Gay: How States are Silencing Expression About Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity"

AEJMC 106th Annual Conference, Law & Policy Division and LGBTQ Interest Group, Washington, D.C. (August 2023)

Panelist, "What Does It Mean to be A Journalist? Epistemology in the Practice of Digital Journalism"

AEJMC 106th Annual Conference, Broadcast and Mobile Journalism and Newspaper and Online News Division, Washington, D.C. (August 2023)

Discussant, “First Amendment Disequilibrium” by Christina Koningisor, Univ. of Utah, & Lyrissa Lidsky, Univ. of Florida, 2023 Media Law & Policy Scholars Conference (Jan. 2023)

Presenter, Creative Comm Law Instruction: Celebrating the Winning Ideas of the Annual Law & Policy Teaching Ideas Competition, “Carpool Copyright Kar-A-Oke” (Third Place)

AEJMC 105th Annual Conference, Law & Policy Division, Detroit, MI (August 2022)

Presenter, “‘Deplorable’s’ Speech: The Radicals, Scoundrels and Rouges Behind Free Speech”

AEJMC 105th Annual Conference, Law & Policy Division, Detroit, MI (August 2022)

Presenter, "Designing and Teaching the Combined Media Law and Ethics Course"

AEJMC 105th Annual Conference, Law & Policy Division, Detroit, MI (August 2022)

Panelist, Thunderdome Panel: "What’s Next for Internet Law?"

AEJMC Southeast Colloquium, Law & Policy Division, University of Memphis (March 2022)

Moderator, “Section 230: The Twenty-Six Words That Turned Online Speech Into Techlash”

AEJMC Southeast Colloquium, Elon University (virtual) (March 2021)

  • With Jeff Kosseff, assistant professor of cybersecurity law at the U.S. Naval Academy and author of The Twenty-Six Words That Created the Internet, Carrie Goldberg, attorney and author of Nobody’s Victim: Fighting Psychos, Stalker, Pervs, and Trolls, Cathy Gellis, attorney, and Dr. Christopher Terry, University of Minnesota.

Presentations

Moderator and Presenter, "Prioritizing Diversity of Viewpoint on a College Campus"

Contextualizing The Conflict: Conversations About The Middle East, Elon Univ. (Oct. 2023)

Presenter, "The Problems We Face, and How to Lead Towards A Solution"

The 13th Annual Intersect Conference, Elon University (September 2023)

Discussant, Teaching Ideas Competition Presentations

AEJMC 106th Annual Conference, Law & Policy Division, Washington, D.C. (August 2023)

Presenter, "The Power and Obligation of Ethical Journalism To Inform In A Democratic Society"

Meridian International Center (U.S. State Department), hosted at Elon University (June 2023)

Presenter, "DEI in North Carolina: Tracking The Dismantling of Academic Freedom"

Advancing Equity Summer Institute, Elon University (June 2023)

Panelist, “Hot Topics in Media Law”

Society of Professional Journalists Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., (October 2022)

Presenter, “To Empower & Motivate Latinidad Towards Civic Engagement: Ready to Lead?”

Perspectivas Annual Series: From Surviving To Thriving, Elon University (September 2022)

Lecturer, “Solutions Journalism in Health Reporting”

Howard University’s Multicultural Media Academy, sponsored by the Dow Jones News Fund Health & Wellness Reporting Project (June 2022)

Panelist, “‘Why Ethics Matters’ in Today’s News Environment”

Society of Professional Journalists, Ethics Committee presentation for Ethics Week (April 2022)

  • From war zone reporting to coverage of local issues, ethics plays a key role in journalism. A panel of distinguished experts discussed the heightened need to focus on ethics and address questions from journalists. The group explored ethical challenges in today’s news environment and help journalists gain a better understanding of how ethics journalism improves their credibility while also benefiting the public.
  • Panelists assembled for this session included CNN Senior National Correspondent Sara Sidner, University of Maryland Professor and journalism visionary Tom Rosenstiel and award-winning journalist Duane Pohlman, Chair of SPJ’s Professional Standards and Ethics Committee.

Guest Lecturer, “Building Racial Equity Through Solutions Journalism”

Abilene Christian University: Developed course “Colloquy in Race & Media” using Solutions Journalism course work to teach reporting on racial equity in news coverage (February 2022)

Moderator and Presenter, “Fake News, Real Problems: How to Spot Misinformation”

National Association of Black Journalists – Raleigh/Durham Chapter, in partnership with NC Local News Workshop (Elon University), Online Forum (December 2021)

  • An interactive workshop providing tips on how to spot sources of misinformation.

Presenter, “From Field Reporting to the Anchor Desk: Go Live at 5”

North Carolina Scholastic Media Institute’s Fall Regional Workshop (October 2021)

  • Informed high school students on what’s required to be a professional TV journalist.

Moderator and Presenter, “Know Your Legal Rights as a Journalist”

Society of Professional Journalists 2021 Conference (September 2021)

  • Panelists David Barlow, Press Freedom Defense Fund, and Rachael Johnson, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press covered basic legal tips that journalists need to know

Presenter, “Free Speech: A Global Perspective and a Tool for Diverse Communities”

Special Libraries Association 2021 Conference (August 2021)

  • Insights into how free speech protections can be used to advocate and help marginalized communities. Other presenters included Rodney Smolla, Dean at the Delaware Law School of Widener University, Dina Aboughazala, Founder of Egag and Hassan Kanu, Reuters.

Panelist, “Informing the Public on the Promise and Perils of Algorithms”

Society of Professional Journalists Sunshine Week Presentation (March 2021)

  • The discussion focused on government use of algorithms to make major decisions. As the data shows, these algorithms are often biased and far from transparent.

Presenter, “To Learn Solutions Journalism, Practice – And More Practice – Makes Perfect”

Solutions Journalism Network Facebook Live Conversations with Sara Catania (Nov. 2020)

Presenter, “In The Trumpism Era, One Needs to Be a Tough-Minded, Skeptical Journalist”

Palm Beach Atlantic University Lecture Series, West Palm Beach, Fla. (October 2019)

Presenter, “The Power of Solutions Journalism in Redemptive Storytelling”

The Art of Storytelling Conference, West Palm Beach, Fla. (October 2019)

Presenter, “Succeeding as an Entrepreneurial Journalist”

Free Enterprise Leadership Challenge, West Palm Beach, Fla. (July 2019)

Moderator, “Describing Speech as ‘Inciting Violence’ is the New Heckler’s Veto”

2019 Heterodox Academy Annual Conference, New York City, N.Y. (June 2019)

Presenter, “Freedom of Speech and the Press in the Current Trump Era”

Palm Beach County Hispanic Bar Assoc. Luncheon, West Palm Beach, Fla. (April 2019)

Presenter, “Student Journalists Find Great Stories Blocks Away”

Urban Stories Festival, Hosted by Florida Atlantic Univ., West Palm Beach, Fla. (January 2019)

Presenter, “Begin with the End in Mind: Make it to the Network or Top Ten Market Before 30”

National College Media Convention, Dallas, Texas (October 2017)

Panelist, “Getting out of the Classroom: Teaching Innovations for Journalism and Mass Comm”

AEJMC Pre-Conference: Experiential Learning workshop, Chicago, Ill. (Aug. 2017)

Panelist, “Diversity Crisis in Academia: How Your School Can Make Change a Priority

Forum 4:15 Conference, Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, Mich. (June 2017)

 

Professional Activities

Solutions Journalism Network

  • Member, Board of Directors (2023 – Present)

Society of Professional Journalists

  • Treasurer-Secretary (elected), Board of Directors (2022 – 2023)
  • Member, Board of Directors (2021 – 2022)
  • Chair, Legal Defense Fund Committee (2021 – 2023)
  • Member, Delegate Analysis Task Force (2021 – 2022)
  • Member, Freedom of Information Committee (2020 – 2021): Helped assemble a Sunshine Week project titled, Reporter’s Guide to Algorithms. Researched and authored 15 suggested story ideas to help journalists guide future coverage of this emerging topic.

Society of Professional Journalists Foundation (formerly Sigma Delta Chi Foundation)

  • Member, Board of Directors (2021 – 2023)

Media Apperances

News Clippings

  • Angela Fu, “Facing a financial shortfall, the Society of Professional Journalists turns to its foundation for support,” Poynter (Oct. 4, 2023)
  • Sarah Scire, “The Society of Professional Journalists faces a “dire situation,” Nieman Lab (Sept. 28, 2023)
  • Michaela Zeno, “SMART Mentoring program pilot integrates faculty and staff into initiative,” Today at Elon (Sept. 25, 2023)
  • Tommy Kopetskie, “ElonComm faculty members attend AEJMC conference in Washington, D.C.,” Today at Elon (Sept. 6, 2023)
  • Gregg Skall and Ashley Brydone-Jack, “Pros And Cons Of Top-Four Network Rule In The Digital Age,” Law360 (Aug. 30, 2023)
  • Elon University News Bureau staff, “NPR stations feature insights from Israel Balderas into police raid of newsroom,” Today at Elon (Aug. 17, 2023)
  • Holly Edgell, “A newspaper raid in Kansas did not stop the presses, but did start scrutiny of local police,” KCUR 89.3, NPR in Kansas City (August 14, 2023)
  • Tommy Kopetskie, “Emerging Journalists Program’s Immersion cohort exhibits curiosity and potential,” Today at Elon (July 18, 2023)
  • Owen Covington, “Journalists from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka visit Elon School of Communications,” Today at Elon (June 21, 2023)
  • Avery Sloan, “Elon University Celebremos honors Latinx, Hispanic graduates,” Elon News Network (May 18, 2023)
  • Elon University News Bureau staff, “WFMY segment features Elon faculty who built tool for paralyzed student,” Today at Elon (Jan. 18, 2023)

 

Service Activities

Elon University

  • Member, Elon Core Curriculum Council (2024 - present), Elon University
  • Faculty Member, SMART Mentoring Program (2023 – Present), Elon University (Pilot Program)
  • Presenter, Phoenix Fusion teaching demonstrations, Elon University Admissions
  • Member, Curriculum Committee (2022 – 2024), School of Communication
  • Instructor, Emerging Journalists Program (June 2023), School of Communications
  • Presenter, ¡Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight – Latinx/Hispanic Stole Ceremony (May 2023), Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education
  • Member, Academic Standing Committee (2022 – 2023), Elon University
  • Member, Latina Sorority Expansion Committee (2022), Elon University
  • Member, Diversity Committee (2021 – 2022), School of Communication
  • Member, Search Committee for Lecturer in Journalism position (2021 – 2022), School of Communication

 

Skills

LANGUAGE: Fluent in Spanish

MEDIA: Adobe Creative Cloud, Panasonic Lumix GH5, GoPro Series Cameras, Sony NX & XD Cameras

 

Professional Development

AEJMC 2021, 104th Annual Conference (August 4 - 7, 2021)

National Association of Hispanic Journalists 2021, International Training Conference (June 16 - July 17, 2021)

Freedom of Expression Scholars Conference 9 (April 29 - May 1, 2021)

  • The Freedom of Expression Scholars Conference (FESC) is an annual event at Yale Law School hosted by the Abrams Institute for Freedom of Expression. Scholars and practitioners come together to discuss works-in-progress on the freedoms of speech, expression, press, association, petition, and assembly; as well as on related issues of knowledge and information policy.

Media Law & Policy Scholars Conference (Jan. 8, 2021)

  • Organized by co-chairs Dr. Amy Kristin Sanders, associate professor at the University of Texas, and Dr. Jasmine NcNealy, associate professor at the University of Florida, the online workshop encouraged an engaging and intellectual dialogue. Everyone in attendance helped workshop the author’s paper in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Awards

Elon University, Latinx/Hispanic Service Award  - Honored by El Centro and the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE) for generous commitment of time, support and inspiration to the Latinx/Hispanic Community at Elon University (Dec. 2022)

Excellence in Leadership Award - Recognized by the School of Communications for outstanding contribution to the betterment and reputation of the school and the discipline (May 2022)

NATAS Suncoast Regional EMMY® Award Winner, Documentary-Topical (producer) (2020)

Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists, Public Affairs First Place (2020)

Ava Digital Awards, Platinum winner, long-form video category (2020)

U.S. International Film and Video Festival, Outstanding Creative Excellence Award (2019)

Communicator Award of Excellence, Documentary video category (2019)

Communicator Award of Distinction, Educational Institution for Video/TV (host/producer) (2019)

Florida Associated Press Broadcasters, Best Feature Award (light news, reporter) (2017)

NATAS Suncoast Regional EMMY® Award Nominee, Commentator/Editorialist (2016)

NATAS Suncoast Regional EMMY® Award Nominee, News Excellence (reporter contribution) (2016)

Florida Associated Press Broadcasters, Best Weather Reporting newscast (news anchor) (2016)

NATAS Suncoast Regional EMMY® Award Winner, Continuing Coverage (within 24 hours) (2015)

Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas, News Anchor of the Year (2012)

Charlotte Elevate Lifestyle, Favorite Local TV Male Anchor (2011)

New York Festival, Bronze Medal for “AIDS in America” documentary (2001)