Meet the Team
Heat’D South Florida is a student-run media outlet dedicated to providing insightful, engaging, and relevant content that reflects the vibrant culture of South Florida. We aim to empower student voices and contribute to a more informed and connected community. Through this medium, we will deliver timely news, features, and multimedia content that resonates with our audience.
SEASON 7
Luis González-Pérez
Editor-in-Chief
Luis Alberto is an instructor of Broadcast & New Media Journalism at FIU, and a Media Consultant. A native Puerto Rican, he has worked as a media executive for ESPN, The Weather Channel, Univision, and Telemundo. His passion is beach volleyball, which he played professionally.
Michelle Gonzalez
Executive Producer
Michelle Gonzalez is a videographer, photographer, and designer who utilizes these mediums to tell a story. Driven by a passion of creativity, she aspires to become a content creator that engages audiences to connect with brands and promote materials to websites and social media platforms.
Mafe Navas
Executive Producer
Mafe Navas is a senior student majoring in Digital TV + Multimedia Production at FIU. Navas is working towards becoming a content producer for the entertainment world. Her interests hover between movies, music, and sports.
Brian Diaz
Multimedia Journalist
Brian Diaz, a senior at FIU, is pursuing a degree in Digital Communication and Multimedia Production. He's passionate about videography and hopes to become a video engineer after graduation.
Ben Molko
Multimedia Journalist
Ben Molko is a Digital Media and Communications major. Hopping from hobby to hobby, the only thing that has really held his focus is a love of writing. A jack of all trades but master of one.
Daniel Suarez
Multimedia Journalist
Daniel Suarez, a Venezuelan filmmaker and photographer, is pursuing a degree in Digital Communication and Broadcasting Media. He enjoys creating engaging video content that resonates with diverse audiences.
Sheetal Bahadursingh
Content Creator
Sheetal Bahadursingh is a Digital Media major from South Florida with a deep interest in photography and videography. Her love for traveling and discovering new perspectives enhances her creative vision and diverse experiences. She aspires to work behind the scenes in the news industry.
Natalia Torres
Content Creator
Natalia Torres is a Digital and Interactive Media major with a minor in English. She is passionate about pop culture, current events, and fashion. On her free time she loves reading fantasy novels. She is working towards a career in social media and communications.
Jamie Vong
Content Creator
Jamie Vong is a Digital Media major with a minor in Hospitality at Florida International University. Born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam. He is extremely passionate about exploring the arts, traveling to new countries and cultures. The balance of life is essential to him to avoid stress, anxiety, and pressure.
Angelica Garcia
Social Media Manager
Angelica Garcia is an aspiring Social Media Content Creator with a focus on Marketing. Through this medium, I enjoy staying on top of trends and keeping up with what is new to promote myself on my personal platforms. Creativity is one of my strengths when it comes to forming new and innovative content.
Steven Ramirez
Social Media Manager
Steven Ramirez, a digital media major specializing in generative AI, seeks to apply LLMs to automate content creation and streamline repetitive tasks. Born in Colombia, he came to the U.S. to pursue tech opportunities.
Karla Bendles
Graphic Artist
Karla Bendles is a FIU Multimedia Production major. She is passionate about art and self-expression, she enjoys blending creativity and strategy. Karla excels at crafting engaging content, using her love for design and storytelling to bring unique ideas to life across various media platforms.
Fiorella Mora
Assignment Editor
Fiorella Mora is a senior at Florida International University, majoring in Digital Communications + Media. Born in Costa Rica and raised in Miami, she loves creating content and traveling to new places. She also has a deep interest in all things fashion and fitness.
William Ayure
Assignment Editor
William Ayure is a Miami native and is now a college senior majoring in Digital Broadcasting. He currently works at Telemundo Studios as a Production Assistant and plans to grow in the company upon graduation. He has an interest in sports reporting and film.
Gloria Selva
Website Manager
Gloria Selva is a dynamic communications professional with a passion for multimedia production. Currently pursuing a degree in Communications, she's eager to apply her skills to create engaging experiences.
Kathleen Vargas Rodriguez
Content Creator
Kathleen Vargas Rodriguez is the Development Coordinator at Heartbeat of Miami and Asesora General at Encuentros Juveniles. She will graduate this Fall with a Bachelors in Digital Interactive Media at FIU to pursue the creative side of social media. She hopes to use her talents and passion to encourage others.
Jennifer Barban
Content Creator
Jennifer Barban is a Digital Media TV and Production major at Florida International University. Miami born with Cuban roots. Her favorite hobbies are photography, videography, and spending time with people she loves. She hopes to get into the cinema world and make her own films.
Joshua Shear
Multimedia Producer
Joshua Shear is the multimedia producer for the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media. Before joining FIU in 2004, he worked in video production, shooting and editing corporate videos, legal videos, public service announcements, and video news releases. He has had a lifelong interest in the art and technology of animation, filmmaking, and special effects.