Name: Nickole Herrera
Year: Sophomore
Major: Television Production in Digital Media
Hometown: Bayonne, NJ
Nickole is a Television Production in Digital Media major at Montclair State University. She is known for being the excited, super tall, and short haired girl. She views herself as a social butterfly and she likes to talk to many people around campus. Nickole enjoys going to the movie theaters to see marvel movies or other super hero movies; she likes movies that are very action filled and suspenseful. Some of her favorite movies are Transformers, Captain America, The Dark Knight, and The Amazing Spiderman. Other than watching movies, Nickole also likes to read. One of her favorite authors is Tess Gerritsen because of her suspenseful book series, Rizzoli and Isles. We asked Nickole what her favorite type of music was and she told us, “I love all different types of music such as rap, hip-hop, alternative, salsa, bachta, and soul music. My favorite would have to be soul music because it is the type of music that calms me down. I love Etta James, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Otis Reddings to name a few”. Nickole definitely likes music from back in the day!
You may have seen this campus celebrity around campus because she is a part of L.A.S.O., which stands for the Latin American Student Organization. She tells HCM, “I have been a member of L.A.S.O, which is the Latin American Student Organization, since my freshman year. I have been part of the publicity committee and [I have been] nominated for the Eboard. I am also a sister of Chi Upsilon Sigma. I pledged this spring semester and am the number seven of my line. I chose to pledge for Chi Upsilon Sigma because I believed in what it valued and what it stands for: educating, elevating and empowering women. I also loved that it emphasized that it is an independent organization and is not brother affiliated”. In the fall 2013 semester, Nickole was the co-host of Ritmo Latino; it was a radio show at Montclair State University. She tells us more about it, “Last semester I was a co-host for Ritmo Latino. Ritmo Latino is a Latin based radio show at MSU. During the show we spoke about various topics revolving the Latin and African community. I was also able to DJ during the first hour”.
Nickole originally started at Montclair State University as a chemistry major but, after much soul searching, she realized that television production in digital media was a better fit for her. “I initially began as a chemistry major and transitioned into a TVDM major. The reason I changed was because after I took my first speech class I was able to grow out of my shy shell and realize that I like to interact with people. At that time I also started to lose the passion I had for Chemistry and did not see myself being in the field. As I progressed, I realized that my love and passion for movies and television should be incorporated into what I want my career to be. I did my research and found out MSU had an amazing program and I applied”. We know that college is all about finding your true nature and we are so happy that Nickole found hers!
Next semester, Nickole hopes to continue to excel academically. She hopes to get an internship at a television channel. She is thinking about FOX or Univision, which is a Latin channel. Socially, she would like to get to know more people on campus and possibly host events that could make a difference in the Montclair State University community. As for her long term goals, Nickole tells us that, “I aspire to start off as a television producer and then transition into being a news reporter. I want to travel the world reporting on important events that are occurring and that should be made public. I want to report hard hitting news that will impact others to watch the news more and get more involved. I will continue my education at MSU and hopefully get an internship that will lead into a job opportunity”.
We know that growing up can be a bit scary but, Nickole knows that she will be fine as long as she has her mother by her side. “The person who inspires me the most is my mother because she has taught me so much throughout the years. She has raised three children on her own and has kept my brothers and I grounded throughout the years. She is my inspiration because no matter how difficult the road may be she never gives up until she accomplishes it”. Nickole has such big goals and a set plan; we know that she cannot go wrong.
Everyone, keep a look out for Nickole on the big screen in a few years!
Fun fact: What is something interesting about you that no one knows?
“I used to go to modeling and acting classes. I did a couple of runway shows, but I ended not really liking the spot light because I was very shy when I was younger”.