About Us
Lauren Aiello, Reporter
Lauren Aiello is a senior majoring in Political Science and Mass Communication and Journalism. She currently works at ABC30 on the assignment desk and is the Opinion Editor at Fresno State’s student newspaper, The Collegian. During the summer of 2025, Lauren interned for Congressman Jim Costa in Washington, D.C. with the Maddy Institute. She aspires to be a White House Correspondent for a major network. In her free time, she loves playing chess and hanging out with her cat, Mr. Ring.
Lauren Avila, Reporter
Lauren Avila is a senior Mass Communication and Journalism major. She graduated from Merced College with an Associate of Arts
for Transfer degree in English. She recently completed a study abroad program in London, where she worked as an intern at Paddington Arts. Her work can be seen on the Flourishing Fresno blog and Paddington Arts blog. She is a recipient of the Eli Setencish Journalism Scholarship in 2024 and the Paul V.
Sheehan Journalism Grant. She has a passion for meeting people, exploring new places, and sharing stories.
Alan Gallo Vargas, Reporter
Alan Gallo Vargas is a Mass Communication and Journalism major with a focus on multimedia storytelling, videography, and sports journalism. He’s in his second year working with Fresno State Athletics media, collaborating with organizations such as 559 Fights, Dinuba Youth Soccer League, and Love Peace Futbol, a nonprofit organization in Fresno, providing photo and video coverage that highlights athletes and community initiatives. Alan has also worked with local schools, including McLane High School and Dinuba High School, where he showcased athletes through sports-focused content on his Instagram platform. He values ethical, responsible storytelling. Through his radio reporting course, his group’s 30-minute radio show was submitted for a BEA Award. Outside of journalism, Alan enjoys working out, running, and playing soccer, interests that continue to inform his connection to sports and visual storytelling.
Jerry Hawker, Reporter
Jerry Hawker is a Mass Communication and Journalism major.
As a former foster youth, Jerry almost ended up in prison as a young man before learning that criminality was not for him. He worked predominantly in sales for close to 20 years after turning his life around, selling life insurance, cell phone plans, and credit cards before restarting his academic career at 40 years old. His goal is to build a career as a news anchor in a small Midwest town, become a rural property owner and live in peace for the second half of his life.
Oscar Alexander, Reporter
Oscar Alexander is a senior Mass Communication and Journalism major. With a passion for writing and creating, he hopes to use his skills to elevate the art of storytelling and shine a light on important topics. Aside from news, Oscar wants to write, produce, and direct for TV and film. He’s written and reported for local publications like Fresnoland and The kNOw. He’s also written for Fresno State’s student-run newspaper, The Collegian. He’s set to graduate in the spring of 2026. In his off time, Oscar enjoys running, reading, and being outdoors.
Joseph Malcolm, Reporter
Joseph Malcolm is an Emmy® Award–winning journalist majoring in Mass Communication and Journalism. He plans to graduate in Fall 2026. He earned his first Emmy® Award in 2018 for the documentary Jamie Hansen, A Grower’s Story, which he both filmed and edited, and later expanded that work into his own documentary series, A Grower’s Story. Outside of his academic pursuits, Joseph works with the award-winning agricultural news company Malcolm Media Ag Publishing. In his personal life, he enjoys spending time with his family and attending movie premieres, often in costume.
Isaac Marquez, Reporter
Isaac Marquez is a senior majoring in Mass Communication and Journalism. He plans to graduate in Spring 2026 with advanced skills in newswriting, photography, videography, and on-camera presence. He is the managing editor at the student-run newspaper, The Collegian, where he’s been a reporter for two years and is the Digital Producer for the student-run weekly news and sports broadcast, Fresno State Focus. During his free time, Isaac enjoys playing video games, listening to vinyl records, and going out to snap photos of nature, events, sports, cityscapes, and more.
Marcos Marquez, Reporter
Marcos Marquez is a Mass Communication and Journalism major with plans to graduate in Spring 2026. Marcos aspires to be a sports broadcaster, as he enjoys watching and talking about sports. Additionally, Marcos also works with Fresno State’s student newspaper, The Collegian, serving as a contributor. When he’s away from the classroom, Marcos enjoys watching videos and spending time with his pets.
Fabian Ornelas, Reporter
Fabian Ornelas is a senior Mass Communication and Journalism major. While at Fresno State, he’s worked as an intern for Bulldog Vision, part of the Fresno Athletics Division, and the Fresno State Ice Hockey Club, while being a full-time student and a business owner. His dream is to work in sports broadcasting, specifically in wrestling entertainment. He has a passion for sports entertainment and interpersonal connections. When not working, he enjoys watching wrestling and likes to DJ.
Alexis Parra, Reporter
Alexis Parra is a Mass Communication and Journalism major with plans to graduate in May 2026. She hopes to use storytelling as a way to amplify voices in her community. During her time at Fresno State, Alexis has interned with and is now employed by Fresno State Athletics, working in production side and contributing as a sideline reporter. She worked as a communications intern for the Central California Women’s Conference and spent her summers as a Junior Giants ambassador, blending sports with community outreach. In her free time, Alexis enjoys spending time with her family and her cat, watching movies.
Olivia Pavao, Reporter
Olivia Pavao is a senior majoring in Mass Communication and Journalism. She is also the Lifestyle Editor at The Collegian, Fresno State’s student-run newspaper. She earned fifth place nationally in climate change reporting from the Associated Collegiate Press. When she’s not writing or reporting, Olivia enjoys traveling and going to concerts, preferably in tandem.
Finnley Pendergast, Reporter
Finnley Pendergast is a senior Mass Communication and Journalism major who will also graduate in May 2026 with a Broadcast Meteorology Certificate of Special Study. He plans on pursuing a career in live broadcasts, whether on camera or in the control room. He is
currently the Sports Editor at Fresno State’s student-run newspaper, The Collegian, and the Sports Director for the weekly student news and sports broadcast, Fresno State Focus. When he isn’t watching or playing sports, he enjoys working out and reading comic books.
Kimberly Preciado-Quezada Reporter
Kimberly Preciado-Quezada is a first-generation college student and a junior at Fresno State. She is majoring in Mass Communication and Journalism with a minor in Spanish and plans to graduate in December 2026. She intends to apply for a multiple-subject teaching credential, as she enjoys teaching and working with children. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Samantha Rangel, Reporter
Samantha Rangel is a senior pursuing a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. She is an active member of Club FSR and RTDNA and has worked as a multimedia reporter for The Collegian, the university’s student-run newspaper. She also works as a reporter for KVPR-Valley Public Radio, the NPR affiliate for Central California, covering education, business, and the economy. Her works have been featured on The California Report and NPR. She loves photography and spends her free weekends taking photos at marching arts competitions or practicing piano. After graduation, Samantha hopes to continue working as a radio reporter and eventually pursue a graduate degree to return to the classroom and teach other aspiring journalists.
Branden Sandoval, Reporter
Branden Sandoval is a senior majoring in Mass Communication and Journalism with plans to graduate in May 2026. His goal is to become a news reporter in TV or radio. He currently interns at KVPR Radio as a news reporter and is a staff reporter with two Fresno State student newspapers, The Collegian and La Voz De Aztlan. During his free moments, you can usually find him buried deep within a good book or working on one of his many sewing projects, needle in hand, accidentally pricking his fingers.
Paloma Schuller, Reporter
Paloma Schuller is a senior Media Communication and Journalism major with a minor in criminology, but her main focus is sports journalism. Some of her most notable projects have been the 2024 Triston “Murf” Gray profile she wrote during her time working for the Fresno State baseball Dugout club. In 2025, Schuller also published a feature story about Fresno State’s lockdown cornerback Al’Zillon or “AZ” Hamilton. Considered one of the top five stories of the year, Schuller interviewed and wrote about Fresno State student Kyle Simpson and his transition from being locked up for first-degree murder to becoming a communications student. Almost every day, Schuller enjoys lifting weights.
Fernanda Sistos, Reporter
Fernanda Sistos is a senior Mass Communication and Journalism major. She is a multimedia professional with experience in live sports broadcasting, including sideline reporting, production, social media management, marketing, photography, editing, and writing. In December 2025, Fernanda attended Camp News, where she gained experience at the two-day student workshop on reporting and anchoring. With a strong foundation in broadcast media and sports coverage, she is eager to begin her career in the sports media industry after graduation.