The Knight News works on behalf of the Queens College community with journalism as the main pillar of its vision.
“We learn so that we may serve”
Holden Velasco, Editor-in-Chief
Holden Velasco is an award-winning student journalist, currently a Senior majoring in Media Studies. Velasco is pursuing an Accelerated Masters in Arts and Culture Reporting at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Velasco has been with The Knight News since August of 2020, and has taken on multiple positions for the newspaper.
Velasco has had his work published in The New York Times, SLAM Magazine, SB Nation’s NetsDaily, and the Long Island Herald. Velasco is a member of the prestigious New York Times Corps, where he receives one-on-one career-guidance from a mentor within The New York Times.
In addition to Velasco’s role as editor-in-chief, he also leads the Sports section of The Knight News. In Velasco’s free time, he enjoys playing his electric guitar and watching various TV shows and movies.
Sammy Ali, Managing Editor
Sammy Ali is a Senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in French. Ali joined The Knight News in its very first cohort of interns, and is now the managing editor for the paper. Since starting, Ali has been an avid fan of reporting on politics, and as of March 2021, was able to hear from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer regarding student loan debt. Ali hopes to spend the remainder of his undergraduate years at The Knight News, reporting & producing podcasts for the Queens College community.
Edwin Di Geronimo Hernandez, Treasurer
Edwin Di Geronimo Hernandez is a Sophomore majoring in Media Studies. Di Geronimo Hernandez joined The Knight News so he can have more opportunities to use his camera. Di Geronimo Hernandez has been creating content since high school and is still pursuing that dream at Queens College through The Knight News.
Michael Finch, Secretary
Michael Finch is a Junior majoring in English. Finch is a SUNY Ulster alumnus, where he studied communications, and joined The Knight News during his first semester at Queens College to become an active member of his new community. As an intern reporter, he covered topics ranging from Queens College and New York City news to entertainment. In his free time, Finch takes photos of friends and writes fiction. He hopes to write a book someday, or possibly be a narrative designer in video games.
William Kuzma, Senior Reporter
William Kuzma is a Senior at Queens College majoring in English and minoring in History. Kuzma came to Queens College in the Fall of 2021 after graduating from the High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College. Kuzma joined The Knight News as an reporting intern in the Fall of 2022 to pursue his interest in student journalism and to become more active in and advocate for the Queen’s College community.
As the senior reporter for The Knight News, Kuzma has covered numerous topics such as the CUNY budget, club life on campus, and budgetary issues in the college.
When Kuzma graduates from Queens College, he plans to attend law school to pursue a future career in law. In his free time Kuzma likes to read, go to museums, explore the city, and spend time with friends and family.
Charlie Ehrman, Multimedia Supervisor and Videographer
Charlie Ehrman is currently a junior at Queens College, majoring in Middle Eastern Studies and Political Science. Ehrman is non-traditional student, having worked professionally in the music video industry in Los Angeles, before returning to school to obtain his degree.
Ehrman is a multimedia journalist and documentary filmmaker who specializes in the Middle East and the U.S.-Mexico border, all the while capturing the far-reaching effects of these regions in the dynamic landscape of New York City. Ehrman’s work revolves around the themes of migration, borderlands, and human mobility. Ehrman’s work has been featured in festivals around the world such as Tribeca Film Festival in New York, and Baja California International Film Festival in Tijuana, Mexico.
In his freetime, Ehrman has a passion for travel, learning new languages, and actively engaging in interfaith initiatives aimed at fostering unity and understanding among Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities.
Ehrman joined the Knight News as a video journalism intern in 2023 to pursue his passion for journalism and has now taken on the position as multimedia supervisor for the newspaper.
Adriana Padilla Duran, Layout Editor and Webmaster
Adriana Padilla Duran is a Junior studying Design with a focus on Illustration, Graphic Design, and Animation. Initially interested in being The Knight News‘ Cartoonist, Padilla Duran’s Graphic Design experience led her to become the Layout Designer instead. Currently, Padilla Duran holds the positions of Layout Editor and Webmaster at The Knight News while still pursuing her passion for creating cartoons on the side. Padilla Duran indulges in her love for art outside of her academic and professional obligations by watching art-related videos, collecting art pieces and art books, creating digital drawings, and immersing herself in animated films. Padilla Duran also spends a considerable amount of time playing video games with her friends, taking care of her adorable feline companions, and getting lost in the world of books!
Abeer Muthana, Outreach and Social Media Manager
Abeer Muthana is a senior double-majoring in Advertising and Economics. Abeer worked her way up from one of two social media interns to now be The Knight News’ outreach and social media manager. Abeer was honored with The Exceptional Service Award by The Knight News for her dedication and ability to go beyond what was asked. Abeer’s love for creativity and community has made a positive behind-the-scenes impact on The Knight News. Abeer spends a lot of her time learning new things from reading books to starting new hobbies like sewing, knitting, puzzles, solving Rubik’s cube, playing the piano, and hanging with her family and friends.