About | Dominican Star Newspaper

The Dominican Star, the independent student newspaper of Dominican University, is published on selected Wednesdays each month.

This publication presents opinions that do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, reporters, faculty or the administration of Dominican University.

MEET THE TEAM BEHIND THE DOMINICAN STAR !

John Jenks | He, Him | Faculty Adviser, Communication Professor

Dr. John Jenks has been advising the Star for most of the past 25 years. Before coming to Dominican, Jenks was a professional journalist in the South and Midwest.

Michael Del Genio | He/Him | Editor-In-Chief

Michael Del Genio, is a fourth-year student majoring in communications with a minor in social media and sports management. Del Genio has been with the Dominican Star for three years and primarily covers campus sports. He is also known for writing one of the Star’s most widely read stories in recent years about Turning Point USA. Outside of his work at The Star, Del Genio was a member of the Dominican University baseball team for two years.

Joseph Zuniga | He/Him | Deputy Editor

Joseph Zuniga is fourth-year student majoring in digital journalism with a minor in social media. Zuniga began as a staff writer three years ago, worked as an assignment editor, and is the current Deputy Editor.

Reyna Valencia | She/Her | Social Media Editor

Reyna Valencia is a fourth-year student majoring in corporate communication with a minor in social media. Valencia began working with the Dominican Star since Fall 2025, producing and publishing social media content, managing the Dominican Star’s tracker, and recently began writing stories. In spring 2026, she was awarded Outstanding Innovation in Communication by Dominican’s Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society for her work in The Star.

Kelly Dianne Burbano | She/Her | Chief Designer

Kelly D. Burbano is a fourth-year student majoring in graphic design. Burbano began working with the Dominican Star last spring and currently serves as Chief Designer. Her work at the Dominican Star includes brainstorming layouts and visuals and finding ways design can make stories more appealing to readers. Burbano loves creative work in all its forms, especially projects that lead her to experiment and learn something new. Outside of her work with the Dominican Star, she is an avid reader and is usually in the middle of three books at once.

Abel Flessner | He, Him | Assignment Editor

Abel Flessner is a second-year student double majoring in political science and communications with a minor in pre-law. Flessner enjoys writing about sports and is also a member of the Dominican University baseball team.

Bella Bercan | She/Her | Website Manager

Bella Bercan is a fourth-year student majoring in communication with a minor in psychology. Bercan has been with the Dominican Star for a year. Bercan mainly focuses on culture and diversity within the Dominican University community, but she loves to write about a variety of topics.

Jennifer Flores | She/Her | Marketing Manager

Jennifer Flores is a fourth-year student majoring in communications with a minor in social media. Flores began as a writer with the Dominican Star and recently became the marketing manager. Her time with the Dominican Star consists of collecting ads for publication, writing stories, and distributing newspapers around campus.