The Next Generation Radio project is a full-scale, digital-first multimedia training project with emphasis on audio. The program is a series of week-long training projects that offers students or early-career journalists the opportunity to work with mentors to report and produce an in-depth audio story. If you are interested, please contact us through our website. The January 2020 project for student journalists is created in partnership with California State University, Northridge.
Logan Bik
Reporter
From an early age, Logan Bik always had his camera out, driven to tell a story. Originally from the Sacramento area, Logan moved to the San Fernando Valley in 2017 to pursue a degree in journalism at California State University, Northridge. Logan is focusing on photojournalism, while working as a freelance photographer and videographer, documenting musicians and artists in the greater LA area. Currently the photo editor at CSUN’s campus newspaper The Sundial, Logan plans to continue his career telling visual stories after he graduates in 2021.
Joelena Despard
Illustration apprentice
Joelena Despard is a senior at California State University, Northridge, majoring in English/creative writing with a minor in art. Within her academic career, she has competed in multiple animation contests, actively participated in performance art, and served as an officer for the Animation Student League of Northridge. By illustrating for the campus newspaper, The Sundial, she is working on expanding her visual storytelling skills. She is currently working on a graphic novel and is passionate about the emotional impact art and writing has on its audience.
Sofia Gutierrez
Reporter
Sofia Gutierrez is a bilingual journalist who is a senior at California State University, Northridge. She’s been able to expand her knowledge of print, radio, and television there. During her time at CSUN, she has been part of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and was on the school boxing team for two years. She is passionate about health and wellness, sports, music and loves talking about her Mexican culture.
Elaine Sanders
Reporter
Elaine Sanders is a Ventura local and art major at California State University, Northridge with an emphasis in photography and design. She’s an aspiring magazine photographer who is currently working at the Sundial as a video editor and head graphic designer. Much of her reporting has been focused on protest coverage and environmental justice. With a passion for travel, she has visited numerous countries and gained a spark for sharing stories, especially from those who are not often heard.
PJ Shahamat
Audio engineering apprentice
PJ Shahamat is a recent graduate of California State University, Northridge with a major in marketing and minor in broadcast journalism. He developed a love for storytelling while listening to NPR in the backseat of his dad’s car and aspires to work in public radio as a producer. He found a knack for sound engineering when he was gifted Ableton Lite as a high school graduation present. During his time in college, he served as the audio editor at CSUN’s newspaper, The Sundial, where he produced three weekly and one biweekly podcast. Recently, he just finished interning at NPR member station KCRW, where he worked on Greater LA, To The Point, and Left, Right and Center.
Andres Soto
Reporter
Andres Soto is a junior at California State University, Northridge and assistant sports editor for The Sundial. He has an associate degree in journalism from Mt. San Antonio College, where he was the sports editor for SAC Media. Andres’ ultimate goal is to be a sportswriter for The Athletic or the Los Angeles Times. Andres grew up in Highland Park, a neighborhood in Northeast Los Angeles. His earliest memories include watching the Lakers win three consecutive NBA Finals, which shaped his interest in sports from an early age.
Andrea Tanchez
Reporter
Andrea Tanchez is a Guatemalan-American journalism student at California State University, Northridge. She graduates May of 2020 with a bachelor’s in journalism and a minor in Japanese. She is the executive producer for Valley View News for Fall 2019 and Spring 2020. Andrea is interested in stories that deal with immigration and other international news.