Velocity is an online magazine produced by students in the Student Publications Seminar course at Moraine Valley Community College.
We explore vital issues and trends affecting college students. We present vignettes, voices and views through profiles, podcasts and perspectives. And we delve into the vibe of culture, music, film, art and literature.
Meet Our Vigorous Staff
EMILY STEPHENS
Editor-in-Chief
Creative Director
(She/her/hers) Served as editor-in-chief of Velocity’s print issue in spring 2024. Half of PopCorner podcast. Design student, thrift store employee, and big green woman who loves cats, metal music and tofu.
stephense2@student.morainevalley.edu
MANNY OROZCO
Deputy Editor-in-Chief
English major, aspiring author and teacher. Into films, games, novels, and most of all, writing. Creativity is my life, and harnessing my imagination is my endeavor.
orozcom34@student.morainevalley.edu
sean scholz
Managing Editor
(any/all) Journalism major. Former Velocity political editor, freelance writer for the Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest. Retired hooper.
feis@student.morainevalley.edu
Bill evers
Editor
Resident Gizzhead. Jazz connoisseur. Enjoy the finer records in life. Constantly pining for inspiration as I find everything around me interesting. Studying for associate in arts. Second semester with Velocity. Write a series of sci-fi stories for the magazine.
eversw@student.morainevalley.edu
Ethan garcia
Editor
Host of Ethan Knows Ball
Journalism major, sports nerd and enthusiast, biggest music listener ever with an insane range. Loves to talk about interests for hours at a time.
garciae359@student.morainevalley.edu
aryana Perez
Editor
Communications major. Working toward a career in public relations, where I can connect people and share meaningful stories. I love using Canva and building websites, bringing my ideas to life. You can find me listening to rock music in a dark room.
pereza359@student.morainevalley.edu
eric rodriguez
Editor
Co-host of The Start Screen
Lover of video games, Dungeons and Dragons and Pepsi. I love writing DND characters in my spare time and enjoy spending time in my bed sleeping.
rodruigueze287@student.morainevalley.edu
carol torrez
Editor
Co-host of The Start Screen
Lover of candles, books, dice and bees. Can be found listening to music and dreaming of the kind of book to write one day. Still exploring what this world has to offer creatively.
torrezc3@student.morainevalley.edu
cam witkowski
Editor
Self-proclaimed canine connaisseur impatiently awaiting Ōkami 2. Fueled by caffeine, music, long walks and pasta. No. 1 Dale Cooper fan. Aspiring non-procrastinator.
witkowskic4@student.morainevalley.edu
samaa yousef
Editor
Creative writing major. Writer for Velocity since the very beginning of the magazine. Recently completed the first novel in a series, and looking to get it published. Avid Total Drama fan since age 8.
yousefs32@student.morainevalley.edu
cela brown
Assistant Editor
Host of The Stomp Box
Professional music listener and aspiring music journalist. Record store regular. Big fan of skate and music magazines—Thrasher, Downward, Loose Squares and Brain Graffiti. Lover of the underground scene. If I look familiar to you, we probably met at a show.
brownt357@student.morainevalley.edu
reanna chico
Assistant Editor
Restaurant reviewer: ReRe Eats
Passionate about art, dance, music and food. Former Journalism 111 student. Writing has always been a strong suit. Undecided major but leaning towards the arts. When not in the kitchen, will be seen at a rock concert.
chicor6@student.morainevalley.edu
theo corrie
Assistant editor
Journalism major who loves sports. Aspiring professional sports writer in first semester on Velocity. Collector of sports cards, enjoyer of walks.
corriet@student.morainevalley.edu
ameen daineh
Assistant Editor
Communications major with strong interest in sports. Plan to go into the career of broadcasting. First semester with Velocity.
daineha3@student.morainevalley.edu
briana gomez
Assistant Editor
Communications major planning to go into public relations. Love to connect my words to people. Invested in all pop culture and movies. Easily influenced on skincare and makeup.
gomezb25@student.morainevalley.edu
ahmad hadad
Assistant editor
Film major. Aspire to share vision and passion with the world through various media production styles. Favorite form of film is music video cinematography and fast-paced editing to tell a story. Always open to developing art forms and thinking creatively.
hadada3@student.morainevalley.edu
Julia obyrtal
Assistant Editor
Communications major. Passionate about pop culture, marketing and music. You can find me scrolling through Pinterest or try harding Just Dance.
obyrtalj@student.morainevalley.edu
melanie velazquez
Assistant Editor
Film major. Aspiring director and screenwriter. Writing and filmmaking has always been a passion, and I love to share it with the world. You can find me on my computer watching a film or reading a book.
velazquezm43@student.morainevalley.edu
LISA COUCH
Journalism Instructor
Former journalist and VP of marketing & communications. Teach Student Publications Seminar: COM 151/152/153/154 (repeatable; course number changes each semester); Media Writing: JRN 111; Intro to Mass Communications: JRN 101; and composition.
CouchL3@morainevalley.edu
Publication Policies
Velocity is written and edited by students of Moraine Valley Community College, and they are solely responsible for its editorial policy and content. Velocity does not represent the views of Moraine Valley Community College or its faculty, staff or administration. Velocity content is not first submitted to administration for approval.
Join us!
Fill out this interest form for more information.
To become a staff member of Velocity in fall 2026, sign up for COM 152: Student Publications Seminar (Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30). Students work as a team to produce the magazine. Based on your background, interests and goals, we’ll define a role for you that may involve writing, editing, podcasting, film/video, graphic design, photography, and/or social media. The course is repeatable, so in spring 2027, it will be COM 153. All experience levels are welcome, but to move up to editor or editor-in-chief, you must also take JRN 111.
JRN 111: Media Writing (T/Th 12:30-1:45) Curious about the world around you and the people in it? Planning to major in any communications-related field? In this hands-on course, you’ll go out and cover a campus event, practice interviewing and other reporting skills, and produce content that may be published in Velocity. Assignments can be tailored to your interests. You’ll learn the writing style used not only in journalism, but also in fields such as public relations, marketing or communications.
For more information, contact Lisa Couch, communications & journalism instructor, at CouchL3@morainevalley.edu.
Velocity 