A Milestone Collaboration Between Montclair State University and Telemundo 47
Montclair State University students debut a powerful tribute to Hispanic media history, guided by Telemundo anchor and alumna Odalys Molina.
Posted in: Alumni News and Events
What better way to mark the 60th anniversary of Telemundo Canal 47 than through the lens of Montclair State University’s rising journalists?
On Monday, April 21, 2025, the School of Communication and Media hosted a special anniversary event, Celebrating Telemundo 47 at 60. The evening featured the premiere of a student-produced short documentary that explores the legacy of the Spanish-language television network. The screening took place in the Presentation Hall at Montclair, and the documentary is available to view on YouTube.
The documentary was the centerpiece of a semester-long project for a new course, News Lab en Español, the first time Montclair’s News Lab has been taught entirely in Spanish. The course aims to give students practical experience while incorporating bilingual storytelling. Under the mentorship of Odalys Molina, Telemundo 47 News Anchor and Montclair alumna, and professors Mark Effron and Vernard Gantt, five students brought the documentary to life:
- Rubi Capellan
- Dani Mazariegos
- Monserrat Nava
- Adarlin Batista Núñez
- Jennifer Sanchez
Together, they conducted interviews, sifted through hundreds of hours of archival footage and created a moving tribute to one of the most influential Spanish-language stations in the U.S.
Molina spent weekends with students at Montclair to not only guide them through the production process, but to also provide mentorship. “I am a proud Red Hawk, so to have this amazing opportunity to give back to the University by mentoring a bright, talented and motivated group of students means the world to me,” Molina said. “It’s incredible how the University and School of Communication and Media have evolved, so to work with such a great group of students in these world class facilities to produce a project that will be seen by millions of our viewers is such a thrill.”
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The short film highlights 60 years of Telemundo 47’s contributions to Hispanic representation in media and spotlights trailblazers. A few that are featured include:
- Liz Gonzalez, host of Telemundo Responde, who has helped recover over $500,000 in fraud cases for the Hispanic community.
- Eddie Medina, longtime cameraman who has captured pivotal moments for the community.
- Odalys Molina, who returned to Montclair State University not only as a mentor but as living proof of where a Montclair education can lead.
- Gloria Montealegre, the first female reporter at Telemundo 47.
- Jorge Ramos, who spent over three decades shaping news at the network.
Following the documentary screening, a thoughtful panel discussion was led by Molina and featured:
- Jorge Ramos, legendary Telemundo 47 anchor.
- Dr. Katia Paz Goldfarb, Montclair’s Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives and International Programs.
- Stefanie Murray, Director of the Center for Cooperative Media at the School of Communications and Media Studies at Montclair.
The panel reflected on Telemundo’s impact on the tri-state area, the future of Hispanic media and the importance of empowering young Latino journalists.
The Celebrating Telemundo 47 at 60 event wasn’t just a tribute to the past — it offered a powerful glimpse into the future of journalism. Through language, legacy and mentorship, Montclair continues to shape the next generation of media leaders ready to tell stories that reflect, inform and inspire our diverse communities.