MENTORS IN MEDIA INITIATIVE WITH iHEARTMEDIA TURNS UP THE VOLUME FOR BERKELEY COLLEGE APPLIED MEDIA STUDENTS
Berkeley College students pursuing degrees in Applied Media and Marketing recently rocked the airwaves thanks to an experiential learning opportunity with iHeartMedia New York. Through the Mentors in Media initiative, students toured the iHeartMedia facilities in New York City, interacted with media professionals, and shadowed radio personalities during live broadcasts. This practicum offered students a behind-the-scenes look at potential careers in media, marketing, and communications careers.
“Students experienced an exciting firsthand view of this vibrant corporate entertainment culture,” said Gregory Hotchkiss, ThD, Faculty Lead, Applied Media, Berkeley College School of Professional Studies.
The Mentors in Media event began with a tour of iHeartMedia headquarters in New York City, which is home to iHeartMedia New York stations including Z100 New York, Power 105.1, and others. Students engaged with speakers who discussed various career pathways in media, marketing, and communications, and shared their personal journeys to iHeartMedia.
“iHeartMedia is excited to collaborate with Berkeley College to empower the next generation of media professionals,” said Victoria Mancuso, Account Executive, Brand Partnerships and Integrated MediaiHeartMedia. “The Mentors in Media event was a fantastic opportunity for students to gain insights and guidance from industry leaders, fostering the skills and connections they need to succeed in the ever-evolving media landscape.”
Following the panel discussions, students learned various aspects of broadcast production by shadowing on-air hosts Angie Martinez on Power 105.1 and Crystal Rosas on Z100 New York and had an exclusive opportunity to interact with listeners over the airwaves.
Rosas expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share the studio with the Berkeley College students.
“It has taken me a long time to get on these Z100 airwaves,” Rosas said. “Seeing the looks on the faces of the Berkeley College students while watching me do my job live is a memory I will never forget. It brought me back to that passion and fire I had for big opportunities when I was in college.”
The Mentors in Media initiative fulfills several goals of the Berkeley College Applied Media program, including exploring the business and networking culture of media, entertainment, and marketing, and focusing on networking connections.
“At Berkeley College we strive to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing students with exciting experiential practicum opportunities,” said Panagiota Babadelis, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications, who developed and launched the Mentors in Media initiative. “Partnerships go far beyond advertising dollars. They are built on trust, communication, purpose, and commitment to growth. We are grateful as we approach two decades with iHeartMedia, as our journey continues to evolve in innovation and strategic collaboration through creativity and data-driven decisions. Together, we continue to redefine what is possible for higher education through the power of media.”
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online? serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans for 12 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2025 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower each student to achieve lifelong success.
Photo Caption: Berkeley College students share the airwaves with Crystal Rosas and Maxwell in the Z100 New York studio. Through the Mentors in Media initiative with iHeartMedia New York, students benefit from a behind-the-scenes look at potential careers in media, marketing, and communications.