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Hofstra Votes LIVE is a four-hour live multicast that airs on election night. The event is viewed by thousands over The Herbert School’s social media livestream on YouTube and Facebook, as well as on campus television: Hofstra University Channel 32.2. It is also heard by thousands more over the airwaves on WRHU 88.7 FM.
The full election night coverage brings together students from across the Herbert School and Hofstra University. The simulcast covers national and regional races as members of WRHU, HEAT Network, and The Hofstra Chronicle collaborate to produce this live, multiplatform broadcast.
The Largest Simulcast Event in Herbert School History
Student-Run Election Night Coverage
Hofstra Votes LIVE is a live, multi-platform Election Night broadcast, simulcast across Hofstra University television, social media and 88.7 FM WRHU Radio Hofstra University. The event is a collaboration between professors, administrators and hundreds of students at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication.
Meet the HVL 2022 Team
Producing Team
The production department oversees the smoothness and operations leading up to and on the night of the live broadcast. This includes scheduling the cast and crew, equipment, scripts, and set. Most importantly, they ensure the filming is on schedule. Additionally, the production department is in charge of booking the guests who make an appearance on the live broadcast and ensures that everyone is doing their jobs.
AMELIA SACK ‘23
National Executive Producer
B.A. Journalism
“I chose to do HVL to gain more experience with live production. Getting chosen to be the national executive producer has been such an honor. Our team has put months of preparation and hard work into making this show the best that it can be. I am incredibly proud of everyone's efforts across the board and cannot wait for November 8!”
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TYLER MROCZEK ‘23
Regional Executive Producer
B.A. Journalism
“Producing live television is my greatest career passion and I’ve always wanted to work on a show as big as HVL. I’ve been producing shorter newscasts for over a year and wanted to challenge myself to tackle a larger project like this one. I’m also very into politics and believe elections are an essential practice — I’m glad I get to help promote this one.”
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GABRIELLA MARINELLI ‘23
National Line Producer
B.S. Video/Television and Business
“I chose HVL because it grants us as students the ability to collaborate in several different interests to inform our audiences about historic races that are shaping our future through digital storytelling.”
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MARIA VALDEZ ‘25
Regional Line Producer
B.A. Journalism
“I wanted to be a part of Hofstra Votes Live to strengthen my broadcast skills and to learn how to work under an intense, television broadcast show.”
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NOAH WEISS ‘23
Coordinating Producer
B.S. Video/Television
“There are a few reasons why I chose to do Hofstra Votes Live. The first was that it is my senior year and HVL will be one of my last experiences at the school. I did not get the chance to do it my sophomore year and I felt like it is an experience everyone should do at least once while at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. Another one is because of the experience I knew I would gain - Hofstra lets their students be hands-on to get the best experience possible.”
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KASSANDRA FABER ‘23
Booking Producer
B.A. Radio/Audio Production and Studies
“I chose to do HVL to broaden my skills in broadcasting and help produce a four hour simulcast.”
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AISHAH FRENCH ‘23
Associate Producer and Co-Head Writer
B.A. Journalism and Global Studies
“Hofstra Votes Live has to be one of the biggest student-run broadcasts on our campus, involving multi-platform coverage of the primary and midterm elections. As someone who has little experience in video broadcast production, this was the perfect opportunity for me to get experience. HVL is one of those ‘once in a while’ opportunities students can get involved in, and I'm excited to be able to work on this monumental project alongside my talented and dedicated friends.”
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TAYLOR NICIOLI ‘23
Associate Producer and Co-Head Writer
B.A. Journalism
“I did HVL my sophomore year and wanted to do it again for my senior year because I thought it was a great opportunity to work with other communication majors to put on a massive production together.”
Newsroom
The newsroom department is responsible for gathering up-to-date and accurate news on the major-key issues and candidates of the midterms. The researchers develop reports sent to our anchors during the four-hour simulcast, which broadcasts on the HEAT Network and the WRHU Radio station. Located in our Content Suite, the newsroom is the central hub where journalists, reporters, editors, producers, and news anchors reside as they collaborate to gather and edit coverage.
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ISABELLA (BELLA) LOBUE ‘24
National Head of Newsroom
B.A. Public Relations
“I truly have found a passion in storytelling and the role research plays in piecing together a news broadcast, let alone a live four-hour midterm election production. Hofstra Votes Live gives me the opportunity to produce and manage fast-paced, professional content in the capacity of my own home, LHSC, with the best peers!”
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XIOMARA TRINIDAD PEREZ ‘25
Head of Newsroom for Regional Team
B.A. Journalism
“I joined HVL to get a sense of the fast-paced newsroom and broadcast experience. Most importantly, I was interested in joining a broadcast that will inform students about our midterm election in real time. I feel grateful that our school possesses the kind of equipment necessary to do these kinds of big projects and broadcasts.”
Publicity
The publicity department is responsible for spreading awareness about Hofstra Votes Live. Whether it is posting updates and behind-the-scenes photos in the days leading up to our live broadcast, or creating graphics to display on the @herbertschoolhu Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. The publicity department was also responsible for reaching out to alumni who worked on Hofstra Votes Live to highlight their previous experience and advice for current students on our social media platforms. The publicity department was also responsible for pitching to different media outlets on and off campus to get coverage for our event.
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MATTHEW SHIEH ‘23
Head of Publicity
B.A. Public Relations and Drama
“Ultimately, I wanted to try something new - getting the opportunity to work on a project that is so different from anything I have ever done in my career and has challenged me, making me a better professional. I have learned so much and have made some incredible relationships. Seeing how different facets of this school work together to create such an impressive simulcast has allowed me to feel more embedded within my peers and is one of the many reasons why I am proud to be a part of LHSC.”
Graphics
The graphics department utilizes its graphic design skills to create and develop lower-third templates for the night of the broadcast. Throughout the night, the graphics department will update the graphics in real time to accurately depict the incoming results of the midterm elections.
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DANIEL PARENTE ‘23
Graphics Lead
B.A. Television Production and Studies
“I chose to do Hofstra Votes Live because I wanted to be a part of Hofstra's largest production and have the chance to work closely with the rest of the graphics team.”
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NATHAN RITCHIE ‘23
Graphics Lead
B.S. Television/Video
“It’s the highest quality production we do at Hofstra and it demands that of a professional election show. It’s great on paper and it's a great experience, underscored by the fact you get to do it with the friends you’ve made over the course of your college career.”
Decision Desk
The decision desk department analyzes incoming data about the midterm election results and projects the winners. They are responsible for making calls about updates throughout the night on whether the results of the midterm elections are too early to call, too close to call, who the projected winner is, who the apparent winner is, and the winner. The Decision Desk department closely collaborates with the Newsroom department, as they are both located in the Content Suite.
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ANNABEL HOFMANN ‘23
National Decision Desk Lead
B.A. Journalism
“I chose to do HVL because it would give me amazing hands-on experience that truly resembles what it's like working in a real newsroom.”
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JASMINE SELLARS ‘25
Regional Decision Desk Lead
B.A. Journalism
“This position gave me my first leadership role in the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and I enjoyed working behind-the-scenes with the HVL team and researching coverage for this year's important election. HVL taught me a lot of information that I would not have learned if I did not join the team.”
Broadcast and Tech Team
The broadcast/tech department is responsible for everything behind the scenes. They monitor the audio and video quality throughout the broadcast and troubleshoot issues if there are any. They switch back and forth between camera shots, ensure the show goes in and out on time, and give cues to the anchors to ensure they start talking on time.
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ROWAN HLADIK ‘23
Senior Director B
.S. Television/Film Production
“I chose HVL because I wanted more experience in live television and to help refine, and direct, one of the biggest productions at Hofstra University!”
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BAILEY KRUG ‘24
Head of Technical Team
B.S. Video/Television
“Working on HVL 2020 was my first introduction to the LHSC’s television productions. I immediately realized I made the right decision in coming to Hofstra. I decided to do HVL this time around because I knew I could be in a leadership position and have a direct impact on the development of HVL. Throughout the first two HVLs things changed so much and I wanted to be able to further that change on Hofstra’s largest show.”
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SHAYNA SENGSTOCK ‘22
Head of Technical Team
B.A. Journalism and Writing Studies
“I’ve done HVL ever since I was first able to by participating in the Biden vs. Trump HVL election and a few state and local elections so far. This is my last time to be able to participate in an election because I am graduating and I wanted to be able to join the Hofstra community to put on a great broadcast.”
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JADE HE ‘24
Audio/Communications Lead
B.S. Video/Television
“I wanted to contribute to the largest production we put on in the Herbert School, and I saw it as an opportunity to gain more experiences and knowledge that I wouldn’t otherwise have access to in the classroom.”
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JILLIAN KANE ‘24
Technical Coordinator & Audio/Communications Team
B.S. Video/Television
“I decided to join Hofstra Votes Live not only because I wanted to be a part of the school's largest production, but also because of the endless opportunities it offered. Hofstra Votes Live has allowed me to learn new skills as well as gain real world experience, seeing what it takes to put on a grand-scale production. After being involved in the previous Hofstra Votes Live, I knew this was an opportunity I could not pass up and wanted to help out in any way I could.”
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A.J. POLITANO ‘23
Technical Coordinator/Head Runner
B.A. Television Production and Studies
“I chose to get involved with HVL mostly because I had missed the opportunity to be part of the team back in 2020. HVL is one of, if not the, Lawrence Herbert School of Communication's biggest production and I really wanted to play a role in my senior year. Getting involved in this year's HVL has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and apply what I've learned in the past few years to breaking election news coverage!”
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JUSTIN BROWN ‘24
Technical Director and Operations Team
B.S. Video/Television
“HVL presents a unique opportunity for all of the Lawrence School of Communication to come together and create the best show possible. I knew I wanted to be a part of it and work with my fellow students to produce a professional quality broadcast covering the election.”
On-Air Talent
The on-air talent department consists of news anchors and reporters featured live. On-air talent is responsible for reading the teleprompter, conducting interviews, and holding engaging impromptu discussions to keep the audience updated and informed on the results of the midterm election.
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CRYSTAL BERMUDEZ ‘23
National Anchor
B.A. Journalism
“I chose to partake in a role for Hofstra Votes Live to gain more experience in political elections in a live broadcast, especially one like the midterms that will have lasting implications as the presidential election will shortly follow. As an aspiring journalist, I hope to present statistics and data as efficiently and accurately as possible to our viewers, especially with a night that is looking at so many contested states. I know I will leave this second time around as National Anchor not only with more of an appreciation for the production and the journey it takes to put a segment like this together, but also feeling confident with my on-air presence and how to effectively translate real-time information.”
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YAW BONSU ‘24
National Anchor
B.A. Journalism
“I chose to do HVL because I wanted experience putting on a television broadcast at an industry-standard level.”
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DANNY DECRESCENZO ‘24
National Anchor
B.A. Radio/Audio Production and Studies
“I was able to do HVL as a freshman, and it was an immediately transformative experience for me. Now, as a junior and a much more seasoned broadcaster, I'm excited for a larger and more robust role in one of the Herbert School's defining events. I'm passionate about politics and relish the chance to talk about it on the night of a critical midterm election.”
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NICHOLAS COSTANZO ‘26
Regional Anchor
B.A. Journalism
“I chose to do HVL because I am passionate about politics. Being an on-air personality, covering news and getting involved in politics, are what I want to get involved in during my career.”
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LINDSEY HILL ‘23
Regional Anchor
B.A. Political Science
“I was involved with HVL back in 2020 as the Pennsylvania Correspondent and absolutely loved doing it. I knew since then that I wanted to come back and participate in HVL 2022 to continue doing what I love; politics and communications.”
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MADELYNE GREENBERG ‘24
Anchor, Mapping the Midterm 2022
B.A. Public Relations
“Working and reporting on the 2020 election for Hofstra Votes Live remains one of my proudest achievements even two years later. I fondly reflect on the collaboration across the entire school, intense media training and thrill throughout the night. HVL taught me, as a public relations major, the weight of word choice and how to correctly decipher and explain political data. As I'm soon to transition into my future career in communications, returning to HVL meant another chance to explore what I'm capable of, with the new opportunity of being able to help those around me.”
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ANTONIO SCHOENHARDT ‘25
Anchor, Mapping the Midterms 2022
B.A. Journalism
“As an aspiring broadcast journalist, I wanted to be part of one of the most action packed times at Hofstra. Not only do I care about delivering news to a plethora of people, I also love the adrenaline rush of being on camera.”
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MAX J. COVEN ‘22
Decision Desk Reporter
B.A. Journalism
“I choose to be a part of HVL to widen my scope of the many journalistic fields. Politics offers a dynamic way to learn data, reasoning and specially United States issues. Joining HVL allows me to understand the field of politics and the profound detail it requires.”
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MICHAEL RICHARDSON ‘23
National Map Reporter B
.A. Journalism
“Hofstra Votes Live provides an unparalleled opportunity to inform listeners about the 2022 election, and I simply could not say no to working alongside such a talented crew. It is a great honor to serve as national decision desk anchor for this year's election, and I hope you look forward to the night of and learn something new about the electorate.
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JASON WEICK ‘25
Regional Map Reporter
B.A. Broadcast Journalism
“I thought it would be a great opportunity to improve my on-air abilities.”
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RYAN PAGANO ‘24
Newsroom Reporter
B.A. Radio/Audio Production and Studies
“I remembered how exciting it was for me to be a part of WRHU's local election coverage last year, as a beat reporter for several races in Nassau County. Since then, I was looking forward to being a part of Hofstra Votes Live, and now here we are!”
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JAKE EPSTEIN ‘25
Live Shot Reporter
B.S. Video/Television
“To have a chance to be part of such a strong team of talented people working hard to make something awesome happen.”
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ALEXA MCNULTY ‘24
Live Shot Reporter
B.A. Public Relations
“I chose to do HVL because of the incredible opportunities and on-camera experience I would be learning. Being able to stay up to date on politics and real-world issues is such a privilege and to be involved in such an uplifting and empowering community at HVL is an incredibly rewarding feeling.”