By: Marissa Santorelli

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* 1 New Email *

“Congratulations! You have been accepted in the Hofstra in LA program!”

My name is Marissa Santorelli and I am a senior with a major in television production and studies, and a minor in mass media studies. I was born and raised in Northern New Jersey by the most supportive family a girl (with very big dreams) could ever ask for. From a very young age, I aspired to be a news anchor, and as I got older I very much wanted to be in front of the camera and involved in a live studio production in any capacity. Then, I visited Hofstra University for the first time and was exposed to the world of production, and everything changed for me. I became a television production major and worked within technical operations on a multitude of shows in the HEAT Network, ranging from director to stage manager. Now, as a senior nearing her final semester at Hofstra, I am head anchor of our news broadcast, “Hofstra Today,” producer of a sports commentator broadcast called “Sports Beat,” and I am a recurring intern for NBCUniversal at 30 Rock. Needless to say, I have established myself in the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and have used my talents and skills to grow beyond the sound-proof walls of Hofstra’s studios. As a student who stayed within the tri-state area, I felt myself limited solely to the opportunities available to me per local accessibility. I always had this yearning to travel and explore opportunities way outside of my comfort zone… and then I was introduced to the Hofstra in L.A.program, where I could do just that.

I applied for the Hofstra in L.A. trip in hopes that I could experience the TV industry through a whole different scope. Los Angeles moves at a very different pace than New York, to say the least, and I have always wanted to experience that different pace. From one coast to the other, I wanted to explore new opportunities on the West Coast, strengthen alumni relations, and expand my networking. And, who knows, maybe I could even discover a new interest or passion in a facet of the industry I wasn’t previously exposed to!

The minute I received the acceptance email, I knew my dreams were going to become a reality. With just a few weeks away from takeoff, I am excited now, more than ever, to experience all that this noteworthy program has to offer. 

Watch out L.A., I’m coming for you.