WHO WE ARE
SEASON 9
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.
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.
Luis Gonzalez-Perez
Editor in Chief
Izabella Barguez, is a Social Media and Digital Communications major, who is born and raised from Miami, FL. She is passionate about all forms of news and media. She aspires to become the Head of Marketing for Walt Disney World. Driven by creativity, Izabella challenges conventional thinking, and constantly explores different approaches to redefine the evolving world of media.
Tatiana is a Digital TV and Multimedia Production major with a minor in Digital Marketing and Social Media. She is from Peru and aspires to be a wedding videographer, and have her own business. She likes to spend time by going to the gym, and cooking new recipes.
Mariana is a Digital Communications and Media major and Assignment Manager for Heat’d. She balances her studies with a full-time role in the luxury hospitality marketing sector. Set to graduate in December, Mariana is focused on continuing her career in communications and marketing.
Michelle Bustos is a Digital Media and Communications major with a minor in Sociology. They grew up in Broward County, FL, and currently works as a producer, with aspirations of being a film and music video director. You can likely find Michelle in nature, making art with their hands. Michelle’s life purpose is to tell stories, shedding light on the Hispanic and LGBTQ+ community that raised them.
Izabella Barguez
Executive Producer
Tatiana Ciprian
Executive Producer
Mariana Brime
Assignment Manager
Michelle Bustos
Assignment Manager
Camila Cespedes is a senior majoring in Digital Communications and Multimedia. She was born and raised in Miami Florida, but is from Portuguese background. After graduation, she will pursue a masters degree in marketing at FIU and hopes to go into the digital marketing field.
Kacey Gibson is currently a senior in Digital TV and Multimedia Production with a passion for teaching! She plans to become an elementary school teacher after graduation. Outside of class and work, you can find her baking sweet treats, enjoying family and friends, and getting lost into a new book or television show. Just a girl all about big smiles, warm hearts, Jesus, and spreading love wherever she can.
Pricilla Cordova is a Digital Communications & Media major passionate about marketing and creative storytelling. Skilled in Adobe Premiere, CapCut, and Canva, she enjoys drawing, watching anime, and video editing. Cordova is working towards becoming a creative director for company or movie project, blending design with impactful media.
Patrica Lawrence is a digital marketer majoring in Digital Communication and Interactive Media, with experience spanning brand & web design, marketing strategy and multimedia production. She has a passion for storytelling and a strong foundation in both creative and strategic work.
Camila Cespedes
Social Media Manager
Kacey Gibson
Social Media Manager
Pricilla Cordova
Webmaster
Patrica Lawrence
Webmaster
Dejare Straughter is a senior majoring in Digital Communications with a focus on Interactive Media. He currently serves as a Specialist at Apple, where he provides technical guidance and delivers troubleshooting solutions for Apple products. After graduation, he plans on leveraging his skills and experiences to pursue a career in UI design.
Mariana is a Digital TV + Multimedia Production major. Mariana is from south Florida and aspires to be a great editor. They like to spend time reading comics and daydreaming.
Vicky Conroy is a Digital Communications and Multimedia Production with a minor in Psychology. She is from Peru and Ecuador and aspires to be Director/Producer/Actor. She likes to spend time playing the piano, editing videos for TikTok, and hanging out with friends.
Anthony Vieites is a Digital TV + Multimeia production major at Florida International University. Constantly trying to create or film something be it a skit or an interview he’s always striving to get out of his comfort zone when it comes to trying new techniques. He’s still figuring out what’s next for him but would love to eventually work in the film industry and he’s working at it one step at a time!
Dejare Straughter
Graphic Artist
Mariana Riano
Graphic Artist
Vicky Conroy
Social Media Content Creator
Anthony Vietes
Social Media Content Creator
Nicolas Osorio Parra is a Digital Tv and Multimedia Production major. Born and raised in Miami, Florida with Colombian roots. He has worked as a content editor for a production company and is now assisting children to learn about broadcasting and creating news worthy stories. He is pursuing a career in production for films, videos, and or music. He enjoys editing and creating fun and exciting pieces of content.
Carolina Carralero is a Digital TV & Multimedia Production major with a Korean Studies Certification. She aspires to work in the video editing industry for music videos. She enjoys on her free time taking korean, spanish and vocal lessons, playing video games, reading and dancing!
Audrey Fernandez is a senior at Florida International University majoring in Digital Communications with a focus on Interactive Media. Passionate about music, pop culture, and storytelling, she hopes to work in the entertainment or music industry—bringing creativity to production and social media, connecting audiences with what they love.
Hugo Gonzalez Escudero is a senior majoring in Digital Communication + Interactive Media and minoring in General Marketing. Passionate about content creation and film, he aims to merge storytelling with digital innovation, aspiring to collaborate with leading media producers and film studios to shape the future of digital storytelling.
Nicolas Osorio
Social Media Content Creator
Carolina Carralero
MultiMedia Journalist
Audrey Fernandez
MultiMedia Journalist
Hugo Gonzalez
MultiMedia Journalist
Alessandra Jacobs is an aspiring Venezuelan marketer. A senior majoring Digital Media and Communications with a minor in E-marketing and Social Media. She takes interest in social media safety for new comers to feel comfortable in this huge world. After graduation she plans to pursue a career in social media to make it a safe space for everyone to be their true selves.
Julianna Garcia is a Digital TV and Multimedia Production student at FIU. She is born and raised in Miami, FL and aspires to be a Director/Producer. She likes to spend time by playing with her dog, reading, and listening to music.
Sofia Lander is a digital media and Communications major concentrating in multimedia production. She is from Caracas, Venezuela and aspires to be a Tour or artist manager. She likes to spend time by listening to music, going to concerts, practicing Yoga and going to the movies.
Alena Zuckerman is a senior at Florida International University who aspires to be a director of photography in the film industry. She assists the FIU Athletics Department as a camera operator and editor for live sporting events and works freelance within the Miami film scene as a gaffer, key grip, or camera assistant. Zuckerman will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism and Media with a bachelor’s degree in communications and media in 2025.
Alessandra Jacobs
MultiMedia Journalist
Juliana Garcia
Writer | Content Creator
Sofia Lander
Writer | Content Creator
Alena Zuckerman
Writer | Content Creator
