Alumni Stories

Joseph Zuloaga '23

Joseph Zuloaga, a proud graduate of Archbishop Riordan’s Class of 2023, is already leaving his mark on one of the most competitive journalistic stages in higher education. Now studying Political Science and American Studies at Columbia University, Joseph serves as a University News Deputy Editor at the Columbia Daily Spectator, the second-oldest college newspaper in the country. “Balancing both responsibilities has led to busy semesters,” Zuloaga said, reflecting on his dual roles as a student and editor. "What I’ve aimed to do is finish as much of my homework as I can every school day after classes to then have available time to work on any stories for Spectator that I’m actively writing."His meticulous time management and unwavering dedication to journalism stem from early inspiration at home. “Growing up, I was raised in a home that embraced and understood the power of news, with my parents always wanting to stay informed with what was occurring in their home country of Peru,” he said. “They were the ones that first instilled in me early on the importance of being informed and aware of what was going on in my community, in my city, in the state, in the country, and around the world.”That spark of curiosity evolved into a passion when Zuloaga joined The Crusader, Archbishop Riordan’s student newspaper, as a freshman. He eventually rose to editor-in-chief, an experience he describes as foundational. “It was the welcoming and nurturing journalism program at Riordan that pushed me to continue to want to be a student journalist in college at Spectator,” he said. Zuloaga’s growing journalistic journey took a significant leap forward during his internship at NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.

For a full academic year, he had a front-row seat to the inner workings of one of the biggest networks in broadcast journalism. “Some key takeaways from my internship include comprehending how national broadcasts are structured, the crucial news gathering and research that occurs for stories, the important editorial decisions that are made by producers and directors, and the varying, unique modes of thought that correspondents utilize to piece together their stories,” he said. Being behind the scenes gave Zuloaga a deep appreciation for the teamwork required to produce impactful news. “Broadcast journalism is a team sport,” he emphasized. “It showed me the importance of having a supportive and kind team of passionate individuals to aid in crafting poignant stories that contain vivid imagery in order to make a piece impactful and one that resonates with the audience.”One experience that left a lasting impact was a story he co-wrote in March comparing Columbia’s response to immigration enforcement actions then to their response in 2016. Days after it was published, a Columbia student was arrested by ICE. “That moment showed me how quickly and unexpectedly a story can become more relevant than anticipated,” Zuloaga reflected. “It taught me to write with longevity in mind and the need to make stories evergreen as news continues to evolve.” From the halls of Riordan to the newsrooms of New York City, Joseph Zuloaga is a shining example of how curiosity, discipline, and passion can lead to a meaningful career in journalism. And while the deadlines, edits, and interviews continue to pile up, one thing is clear - he's just getting started.