Center For Hispanic Leadership | Business Mentoring Institute For Hispanics From Glenn Llopis

Nick Valencia

In 2005, as a graduate of USC's prestigious Annenberg School of Journalism, Nick was part of the first class in the nation to pioneer convergence journalism. The model trained students how to work effectively in the three arenas of news (print, online and broadcast) and it is now a concept that is widely used in newsrooms throughout the world.

For 4 years, Nick has worked as a journalist in a variety of ways for CNN. Starting as a floor director and teleprompter operator for famed prosecutor Nancy Grace, Nick eventually became an International Associate Producer with a focus on Africa. His tenacity and hunger for the unknown took him to Uganda where he reported on an array of social and political issues, making him--at the time--the youngest person to contribute on-air reports to CNN International

Eventually, Nick was hired by the CNN National Desk where he continues to work now. For the last two years he's spent the majority of his time in the newsroom, having his hands in some of the most pivotal news stories today. In 2008 he contributed to CNN's Peabody Award winning election coverage while on the voter irregularity desk.

Recently, Nick has been the go-to-guy for CNN on the Mexican drug war, writing weekly articles for CNN.com on the escalating violence in the region, particularly Ciudad Juarez. He has also been a part of a cadre of social media enthusiasts at the network which has taken CNN's newsgathering to new heights.

Nick grew up in Northeast Los Angeles where he manicured his ability to be in conflict situations, as well as know how to democratically get out of those situations. As a journalist he's infiltrated gangs in LA, reported from the front lines of Mexico's drug war and has been to the depths of the southern Amazon in Peru.

Nick lives in Atlanta, GA and is currently the Atlanta chapter President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.