About

Aubren Villasenor is a versatile and dedicated journalist and violinist currently pursuing a dual degree in journalism and performance at Ithaca College in New York. His academic excellence and commitment to journalism have been recognized through the prestigious Park Center for Independent Media Scholarship, which he earned in 2023 and 2024.

With a passion for storytelling and media, Aubren has gained valuable experience through internships and writing positions. As a Social Newsgathering intern at NBC News in New York City from September 2023 to April 2024, he demonstrated exceptional skills in identifying and verifying user-generated content from various social media platforms. Aubren played a crucial role in curating and clearing content for prominent NBC programs such as "Nightly News," "TODAY," and special reports, contributing to the coverage of significant global events including the Hamas attack on Israel and the Rainbow Bridge explosion. Aubren's meticulous approach to verifying content ensured the accuracy and integrity of NBC's reporting.

Additionally, Aubren has contributed to local journalism as a freelance writer and intern at The Ithaca Voice, where he developed and pitched compelling story ideas focusing on the Ithaca community. Aubren's dedication to multimedia storytelling is evident through the exploration of the creation of short-form video content for news such as TikTok, Instagram reels, and YouTube shorts, demonstrating a keen understanding of evolving media trends. Aubren also serves as a senior writer for The Ithacan, a nationally ranked, award-winning student newspaper. Within traditional broadcast media he is an active member of Ithaca College Television (ICTV), where he has served as a reporter, weather anchor, correspondent, and assistant producer. Through these roles, Aubren has honed skills in video production, news editing, and content development, showcasing a diverse skill set in media production.

As a violinist he performs regularly within nationally ranked ensembles including the Ithaca College Symphony, and Chamber Orchestras. As a soloist, he’s dedicated his performances to raising awareness about mental health in the arts.