Mako Media Network is NSU’s student-run media, housed in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts. Mako News brings together content from The Current newspaper, Mako Radio and Mako TV.
Mako Media Network
Andrew Rose Social Media Director
Andrew Rose is 24 years old and from Barbados. Andrew is the social media director, and his hobbies include surfing, videography, and travel.
Kai Dear Business Manager
Kai Dear is a freshman entrepreneurship major and is Mako Media Network’s business manager. He recently moved from Jamaica and enjoys playing and watching soccer.
Ana Sofia Aguiar Azambuja Web Editor
Ana Sofia Aguiar Azambuja is an international student at NSU, Florida, majoring in information technology with a digital media minor. Originally from Brazil, born on an island, Ana loves playing soccer, listening to music, traveling the world, meeting new people, and learning from every opportunity. She is a naturally communicative, dynamic, and visionary person. At this moment, Ana is working for the Mako Media Network, being part of NSU Student Media as a Web Editor, designing, and developing the website for News, Radio, and TV branches in the university. Soon, she has the dream of being a product/web designer for a diverse company, as well as creating innovative brands, apps, and websites for herself and others.
The Current Staff
Bryce Johnson Editor-in-Chief
Bryce is a graduate student in the Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media program. He started writing for The Current in his junior year by taking the Intro to Print Journalism course. He is proud to work with such a great community within Mako Media. In his spare time, he likes reading, writing stories, watching movies and playing video games.
Nicole Mary Shaker Co-Editor-in-Chief
Nicole Shaker is a senior double major in computer science and communication with a concentration in journalism. She also minors in mathematics, cybersecurity and honors transdisciplinary studies. Besides being an editor for Mako News, she is also the social coordinator of the NSU chapter of Orthodox Christian Campus Ministries. In her free time, she likes to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and listen to music.
Brielle Aguayo Art Director & Reporter
Brielle Aguayo is a junior communication major with a concentration in journalism. Brielle works for The Current as the art director and a reporter. She loves graphic design and being able to help bring the newspaper to life, with the addition of reporting. You can find her designing, writing and her other passion, taking photos around campus. Mako Media is truly a special place full of creative individuals and she feels lucky to be a part of it all.
Nicole Gomez Graphic Designer
Nicole Gomez is a sophomore art + design major with a concentration in graphic design and a minor in studio art. She works as a graphic designer for The Current. Gomez enjoys sharing her passion for graphic design through NSU’s newspaper.
Danna Bertel Features and A&E Editor
Danna Bertel is a senior communication major with a concentration in journalism and a minor in strategic communication. As a feature writer for The Current, she reports on everything art and entertainment happening at NSU.
Bella Giaquinto Sports Editor
Bella Giaquinto is a senior communication major with a concentration in strategic communication and is the sports editor for The Current. She is also the public relations intern for the mayor of Fort Lauderdale. She spends her free time painting and working as a server for the Lauderdale Yacht Club.
Isabella Fernandez de Cueto Sports Reporter
Isabella Fernandez de Cueto is a sophomore communication major with a concentration in journalism. Isabella has had a passion for sports her entire life and works for The Current as a sports writer. In her free time, she likes to play soccer and pickleball as well as watch movies.
Francesca Abarca Features Reporter
Francesca Abarca is a senior communication major with a concentration in journalism and a double minor in strategic communication and theatre. Francesca works in The Current as a feature reporter, bringing to light her voice. She also works as an orientation leader, giving tours to incoming freshman. She feels lucky to be a part of Mako Media and feels that it is truly a special place full of creative individuals.
Luqman Gbenro Reporter
Luqman Gbenro is a junior communication major with a focus in journalism. As a reporter with The Current, Luqman covers a wide variety of topics with an objective eye and an investigative spirit. He is also a volunteer DJ at NSU’s Mako Radio and lends his voice to several podcasts, enjoying the pursuit of creative endeavors.
Ronald Martinez Reporter
Ronald Martinez is a sophomore majoring in Information Technology, with a minor in music. He writes news stories related to politics, science and pop culture.
Jules Batchker Multimedia Reporter
Jules Batchker is a senior studying political science with minors in legal studies and anthropology. As a photographer and writer for The Current, she reports on all things campus life and politics. When she’s not behind the camera, Jules works as a legal assistant supporting teams of lawyers who service the cannabis and psychedelic industries. With plans to obtain her J.D. by 2027, she hopes to start a non-profit providing funds to people struggling to afford addiction therapies.
Adam Sadik Science and Health Writer
Adam Sadik is a junior neuroscience major and a science and health writer for The Current. Originally from California, he is passionate about promoting informed health choices to inspire a healthier world through engaging articles.
Michael Tomlinson Distribution Manager
Michael Tomlinson is a freshman, computer science major. Michael can be seen all around the campus for most of the week, distributing copies of The Current.
Mako TV Staff
Madison Kasper General Manager
Madison Kasper is in her second year at Nova Southeastern University. She is currently a marketing major with a minor in communication. She is from a small town in New Jersey and decided to come enjoy the warm weather in Florida for college. She started working at Mako Media Network the second semester of her first year and she has enjoyed my experience tremendously. She is proud of Mako Media’s work thus far and excited to see and be a part of all the great things it will produce in the future.
Yosef Nissim Nahon Mako TV Studio Manager
Yosef Nissim Nahon, a computer science major, is Mako Media Network’s unsung lead developer and IT representative. He ensures seamless department operations, content creation and handles video production as studio manager at Mako TV. Yosef even makes appearances on Mako Radio. His multifaceted role is instrumental in delivering content loved by NSU sharks.
Mia Alvarado Mako Media News Executive Producer & Anchor
Working with Mako Media Network has been very motivating and eye opening for Mia Alvarez going into the communication field. Mia is currently a junior and studying digital media production here at Nova Southeastern University. Being a communication major, she always wondered how she can further work on her experience here at school. Mako Media Network has given her the perfect outlet and opportunities to further work on her communication skills both digitally and in person.
Jocelyn Saccucci Graphics Editor
Jocelyn is a sophomore at NSU studying communication. Working as a graphic designer and editor for Mako Media Network has helped her further develop her skill and passion for the craft that she has enjoyed for the past several years. In her spare time, you’ll probably find her playing cozy video games, practicing calligraphy, thrifting or curating her perfect car playlist.
Emily Potter Sports Reporter
Emily Potter is a junior communication major with a minor in sports and recreation management. She started as a Practicum student and quickly fell in love with the production aspect of Mako TV. In the future, her goal is to get into sports broadcasting but until then, she plans to immerse herself in Mako Media Network and learn as much as she can.
Veronica Prieto Reporter
Veronica Prieto is a freshman communication major at NSU. She plans to get into film and TV production in the future but for now is involved in the great work of Mako TV. Her hobbies include hosting dinner parties, theater and makeup artistry.
Matthew McCall Editor & Videographer
Matthew H. McCall is a communication major, born and raised in Florida. Matt operates camera equipment for Mako TV, as well as editing videos. His favorite hobbies are game design, story writing, watching documentaries, and playing video games.
Mako Radio Staff
Alex Hernández Station Manager
Alex Hernández is an international studies and communication student. She is a well-rounded professional with achievements in various fields, including journalism, radio broadcasting, social media management, and activism for menstrual equity. A leader in South Florida’s menstrual equity movement, Alex founded Sirena’s Grotto, a 501 c(3) non-profit organization that provides hygiene items to those in need. While Alex’s primary focus has been on radio, she has also delved into video journalism and social media management. Additionally, she has had experience interviewing celebrities as part of her professional work. As the current station manager of NSU Mako Radio, Alex loves live music and is a strong advocate for music education.
Weston Clark Music Director
Weston is originally from Loxahatchee, Florida, and is studying computer science at NSU. He plans to enter the field of cybersecurity or software development. He has many years of experience with multiple instruments, including trombone, guitar and piano. His favorite music genres are 90’s alternative and grunge. His favorite band is Alice In Chains.
Denisia Martimbor Producer & Podcast Host
Born and raised on the beautiful island of Sint Maarten, Denisia Martimbor is the Radio Producer at Mako Radio. Due to her family background, she was also raised in Trinidad, which gave her the opportunity to sing and perform in several competitions and molded her to be more passionate about her Caribbean culture and the music industry. She is known as DJ Blossom at Mako Radio, bringing her tropical style to the airwaves with music from the Caribbean.
Estela Bruno Production Engineer
Estela Bruno is a senior music major and Mako Radio’s Production Engineer. Estela works with Mako Radio DJs to create the liners for their shows, records PSAs for upcoming shows and podcasts for the station, and edits Mako Radio’s podcasts. She is working on an Extended Play album for next fall, which will have about four or five songs in different genres of music, but mostly R&B. Estela was born in New York and moved to Miami when she was 10. Her family is originally from the Dominican Republic.
Daja Long Evening Show Coordinator/Reporter
Daja Long is a freshman psychology major, raised in Tennessee. Daja fell in love with music at a very young age and continues her passion through other creative outlets, like songwriting. At Mako Radio, she is the DJ show coordinator and plays country-folk, blues, and other bits of noise as her second persona- DJ Faith.
Nathalie Marin Remote DJ/Radio Producer
Nathalie Marin is a freshman communication major with a minor in music. Originally from New York City, Nathalie is a remote DJ who goes by DJ Venus at Mako Radio. She has a strong passion for music and is dedicated to sharing her passion for the arts. She has experience in piano and vocal singing. Her favorite genres include jazz and bossa nova.
Marlee Card Remote DJ
Marlee Card is a sophomore communication major at NSU and a DJ at Mako Radio. Originally from New Jersey, her love for music inspired her to work with the radio and extends into multiple genres. She hopes to work within the travel and music industry to continue to use music to connect with people and audiences from different cultures. With reading and writing being her strong points, she plans to expand her work with Mako Media to journalism and The Current.
Zach Mueller Remote DJ
Zach Mueller is a freshman biomedical engineering major minoring in economics and mathematics. Originally from Lockport, Illinois, Zach is an evening show DJ, known as DJ Neptune. His music taste consists primarily of rock, indie, and pop. His sound is heavily inspired by his close family and friends. Zach also shares a passion for theater, as he has been performing in a variety of shows and musicals since he was 10 years old. Some of his favorite hobbies include playing guitar, practicing tennis, watching movies and television, going to the beach, playing video games, and learning about new world foods and cultures.
Faculty Advisers
Chris Delboni – Mako Media Network Director, cdelboni@nova.edu
Mike Lynn – Mako Media Network Assistant Director, ml2009@nova.edu
Dr. Megan Fitzgerald – Mako Media Network Faculty Adviser, mf829@nova.edu
Joyce Moed – News Desk and Multimedia Adviser
Mario D’Agostino – Sports Desk Adviser
Dr. Aarti Raja – Health Desk Adviser
Dr. Shanti Bruce – Chair, Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts