ZARAGOSA MALDONADO IV is a junior pursuing a degree in journalism. He is interested in broadcast news and labor unions.

Zaragosa has worked in the broadcast news field for 20 years. He spent 13 years in the Saginaw news market at WNEM as a photographer and director before making the move to the Detroit market where he spent 1 year as a photographer at WDIV. He then moved to the ABC affiliate in Detroit, WXYZ, as a technical director.

He has collected one Emmy award and multiple Emmy nominations, multiple AP and MAB awards, and was the MAB Photographer of the Year for mid-market 2017. You can see some of his stories here.

Zaragosa hopes to one day become a manager in the broadcast industry or become a labor union representative for a broadcast labor union.

When not at work or in class, Zaragosa loves spending time with his wife and two daughters or finding another new side hustle that can bring in extra money.

ANDREW McINTIRE is a senior pursuing a journalism major at Oakland University after earning an associate degree at Oakland Community College. He is interested in writing freelance magazine articles.

Andrew has worked in automotive service, sporting goods sales and service including events at the Novi Suburban Showcase Collection, and at an online retail website. He has volunteered at Cass Community Social Services in Detroit and assisted in their programs to provide food, housing, job programs and
health services.

He enjoys reading, and has an extensive collection of books and magazines, spending time outdoors, and riding his Kawasaki motorcycle offroad.

Andrew likes different cuisines and has a newfound appreciation for Eastern Indian food, to include Chicken Tikka Masala, and Chicken Bhuna.

AUTUMN OKUSZKA is a senior who is pursuing a B.A. degree in journalism at Oakland University.

Okuszka began working at the Oakland Post as a features reporter in fall of 2022. She enjoys how her position there offers her the opportunity to meet so many different people who all have their own unique stories.

When she is not studying or writing articles for the Post, Okuszka enjoys watching sitcoms and reality TV (her latest obsession is “Dance Moms”). She also loves listening to classic rock and named her Russian blue cat Mercury after the band Queen’s former frontman.

JOSEPH GORAL is a senior double majoring in journalism and communication at Oakland University, and expects to graduate in August of 2023. He currently is a contributor with the Oakland Post.

He hopes to earn a career where he covers U.S. news and brings stories of minorities’ experiences to large audiences. He has explored these topics in articles he wrote for the Post, including student reactions to elections and OU’s first Native American Heritage Month celebration.

In his free time, Joseph enjoys reading, traveling, playing and watching basketball, and spending time with family and friends.

JOE POPIS is a senior at Oakland University majoring in communication with a minor in journalism. Some of his previous roles include being a human resources intern, a property operations intern, and a senior reporter at the Oakland Post. 

During his time at the Oakland Post, he wrote for the campus and sports sections. Through this opportunity, he has met various individuals with different backgrounds and told their stories through his writing. In addition, learning different perspectives has broadened his understanding of the world and the community around him. 

Joe’s experiences in journalism have improved his ability to communicate, listen, and connect with other people. It has let him display his creative prowess and do something he genuinely enjoys. 

He is looking forward to his graduation in April and starting a new chapter of his life. Joe hopes to continue covering various topics within writing and further improve his skill set in storytelling. 

GRIFFIN BEERS is a fourth year student majoring in Journalism at Oakland University.

An aspiring sports writer, Beers has done freelance work for Crain’s Detroit, and OurRedZone, covering a multitude of sports. With a passion for basketball, Beers also has worked for the Oakland Men’s Basketball team as a Student Manager for the last four years. 

Beers also works as an Assistant Varsity Tennis Coach at his alma mater, Stoney Creek High School, where he was Captain of the Tennis and Basketball teams. When not busy, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, and singing. Beers hopes to continue to be involved in the sports community, and looks forward to his future career. 

JESSICA ORLANDO is a junior pursuing a degree in journalism with a minor in public policy and administration. She’s interested in investigative journalism and editorial and publication design. 

Jess has worked on the Oakland Post as a staff reporter in the feature section and she’s working on a magazine for the PRSSA chapter at Oakland University.

One day, Jess hopes to work in a foreign embassy and help tell the stories of people from every corner of the world. She would also enjoy covering news on The Hill in D.C. 

When she’s not studying or working on the magazine, Jess enjoys spending time with her dog, Mobley, collecting crystals and rocks along with reading and making espressos. 

She also loves trying new food with her best friend every chance they get – Korean hot pot is her favorite.

DALIA ISKANDER is double majoring in communication and journalism at Oakland University. She looks forward to receiving her B.A.s in April of 2022. Currently she works as a grant writer, and communication and advancement support, at Academy of the Sacred Heart.

She hopes to obtain a career in world news, highlighting minorities’ often silenced truths. Travel journalism is also a dream she aspires to make a reality.

Outside her classes at Oakland University, Iskander has not yet pursued journalistic writing as she focused on building experience for her Communication degree. Regardless, she looks forward to graduating and exploring both degrees further with her newly obtained free time.

BRIAN COLDING is a journalism student at Oakland University. He has previously worked in the medical industry, teaching industry, and develops cryptocurrency and owns his own business. 

His career highlights include conducting WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard’s final interview before his passing, filming a live interview for ex-WWE star Rhyno, obtaining multiple interviews with comic book creator Gary Cohn, and interviewing movie producer Andre Owens, who happens to be a writing partner of Mike Flannigan.

Brian lives somewhere in the state of Michigan, and his hobbies include marketing NFTs and developing cryptocurrencies.

BRIANNA SHARPLEY is a journalism student in her senior year at Oakland University. She has loved writing since she was 12 years old and officially began her journey as a writer while writing short fictional stories in high school. After attending the Meadow Brook Writing Camp at Oakland University in her senior year of high school, she learned how to become more comfortable writing about her personal life and experiences.

Politics is a topic Brianna is very passionate about and it is often mirrored in her writing. Women’s rights and racism are topics she finds herself writing about the most. However, as of lately, Brianna has veered to entertainment writing. She finds it more lighthearted and fun compared to how depressing news about politics can be. She would like to pursue a career in entertainment writing where she interviews public figures.

When Brianna is not focused on journalism, she enjoys watching The Vampire Diaries, listening to music, and cuddling with her cat in her free time. 

SHELBY SMALL is a student studying to receive B.A. degrees in Political Science and Journalism at Oakland University. Currently, she works as a resident assistant and desk attendant at Oakland University, where she has developed her leadership and interpersonal skills. 

After graduation, Shelby hopes to get a job for a collaborative publication where she can put her writing and editing skills to work. 

When she is not working, Shelby loves to hike, read, travel and make playlists on Spotify. Shelby can always be found with a good book and a chai tea latte in hand. 

SARAH MARKSTROM is a senior at Oakland University pursuing an English major and a journalism minor. She is set to graduate in May of 2022 with her bachelor’s degree. 

She currently works as a sales associate at Pandora Jewelry but once she graduates she hopes to work in a field where she can put her writing skills to good use.

She currently lives near Detroit, Michigan but plans to move to Orlando, Florida soon after graduation. When she is not in school or working, she loves to visit bubble tea spots for a sweet treat, free-write fiction stories, and also try her best to learn everything she can about sewing so that she can make her own outfits one day.

EILEEN LEVALLEY is a senior at Oakland University. Her major is journalism, with emphases in creative writing and studio art. 

LeValley went back to college, after working 35 years in the management and hospitality industry. She hopes to utilize her degree for freelance writing about her love for art and food.

Her career highlights include working side by side in the 1980’s with Detroit’s own Mike Ilitch from Little Caesar’s Incorporated. After developing, testing, and months of hard work, she stood with Ilitch at the end of the pizza oven, and watched the very first “Square Pan Pizza” completed – as Detroiters know it today. 

LeValley grew up in Detroit’s historical district known as Corktown, something she is very proud of. For the last 25 years, she has resided in Clawson, where she raised her 28-year-old son, Phillip.

CHRIS ESTRADA is a Junior at Oakland University, currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Arts in journalism. His career highlights so far include glazing hams for the holidays and documenting U.S. Special Forces in Iraq and Syria. 

Currently, Chris is fulfilling a six-year contract with the Michigan Army National Guard as a public affairs sergeant, where he takes photos and videos of events going on in the military. His travels have taken him across the Middle East and parts of Europe. He is also undergoing an internship at 101.9 WDET in the news department, where he operates sound boards and takes interview calls with news-makers around Metro Detroit, which are later aired live on the station. 

His hope is that he will be able to pursue a career in photojournalism after his contract ends and eventually attain a master’s degree in communications.

Outside of work, he is also a tournament organizer for Detroit’s fighting game community. He is also the loving father to his two tuxedo sons (cats), Monkey and Fruitbat.