Valerie Turco, Director
Valerie has been the Director of the Campus Media Center since March 2018. She is a two-time alum of SUNY New Paltz, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in 2005 majoring in Radio/Television Production, and in 2010 she received a Master of Professional Studies in Humanistic Multicultural Education. Val’s passion is radio, as she has been working in commercial radio since 2005, serving in promotions and programming positions for Cumulus Media, Entercom, and Townsquare Media. She currently works as an on-air personality and digital contributor for 92.7/96.9 WRRV in Poughkeepsie.
Val serves as the primary advisor to WFNP radio, The Fahari Libertad, The Teller Magazine, The Music Collective, and The New Paltz Oracle, and also provides support to Hawk Studios and in collaboration with the Digital Media & Journalism department, helps to oversee the SUNY New Paltz Chapter of the Broadcast Education Association (BEA).
In addition to the media aspects of her position, Val really enjoys the opportunity to work with and help develop student leaders within her department. She has a strong background in student development, leadership and programming through her previous positions in Residence Life and New Student Orientation.
Dan Stevens, Assistant Director
Dan has been with the Center for Student Media since Fall 2019, initially serving as the Creative Coordinator working alongside our student TV station and Video Production Club on content creation. Over the past several years, Dan has helped to launch Hawk Studios, a combination of the former TV station and video production clubs, and serves as their primary advisor.
He has been instrumental in the building and setup of the Center for Student Media studio spaces, and provides technical assistance to all of the CSM organizations. Dan recently took on the role of Assistant Director within the Center for Student Media and serves as the primary advisor to Hawk Studios.
Jean Carlos Hernandez Orellana, Graduate Assistant
Jean Carlos, or JC, joined the Center for Student Media in 2021 as a student member of WFNP radio, working his way up into the role of Programming Director for the 2022-2023 school year. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2023, JC is currently pursuing a graduate degree in School Counseling here at SUNY New Paltz and serving as the Graduate Assistant for the Center for Student Media.
In his role, JC keeps lines of communication open between all 6 CSM organizations, meeting regularly with the media managers, and encouraging cross club collaboration, and still participates in WFNP as a DJ.
