Edgar Zúñiga
Program DirectorEdgar Zúñiga is a two-time Emmy Award–winning bilingual journalist and the Founding Program Director of Avanza 88.3 KUUB, one of the nation’s first bilingual public radio stations. Launched by the University of Utah in partnership with KUER—NPR Utah and PBS Utah, Avanza serves Utah’s diverse communities through bilingual journalism, music, and cultural programming.
As Program Director, Edgar leads the station’s programming strategy, original content development, community engagement, and audience growth. He is also the Executive Producer of Avanza’s local shows and segments and host of Conexión, the station’s flagship public affairs segment highlighting nonprofits and community initiatives across Utah.
Over a 15-year career in journalism and communications, Edgar has worked across the United States and internationally, including at NBC News and as Senior Producer for Telemundo Network. Most recently, he served as an American Red Cross Communications Delegate in Europe, leading crisis communications during the Ukraine conflict while based in Budapest, Hungary. His reporting and commentary have appeared in outlets including USA Today, and he has appeared on-air for international networks such as C5N in Argentina.
Born in New York City to Colombian immigrant parents and raised in Salt Lake City, Edgar holds bachelor’s degrees in Mass Communication—Journalism and International Studies from the University of Utah. His journalism career began at The Daily Utah Chronicle, and he later returned to KUER—NPR Utah as a fill-in host during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A native English and Spanish speaker, Edgar also speaks Italian, Portuguese, and French, among other languages.
He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ).
Director de Programación
Edgar Zúñiga es un periodista bilingüe ganador de dos premios Emmy y el primer director de programación de Avanza 88.3 KUUB, una de las primeras estaciones de radio pública bilingües del país. Lanzada por la Universidad de Utah en colaboración con KUER—NPR Utah y PBS Utah, Avanza sirve a las diversas comunidades de Utah a través de periodismo bilingüe, música y programación cultural.
Como director de programación, Edgar lidera la estrategia de contenidos de la emisora, el desarrollo de programación original, la participación comunitaria y el crecimiento de la audiencia. También es productor ejecutivo de los programas y segmentos locales de Avanza y conductor de Conexión, el principal segmento de asuntos públicos de la emisora, que destaca organizaciones sin fines de lucro e iniciativas comunitarias en todo Utah.
A lo largo de más de 15 años de carrera en periodismo y comunicaciones, Edgar ha trabajado en Estados Unidos y a nivel internacional, incluyendo en NBC News y en Noticias Telemundo como productor senior de los noticieros nacionales. Más recientemente, se desempeñó como delegado de comunicaciones de la Cruz Roja Americana en Europa, liderando comunicaciones de crisis durante el conflicto en Ucrania mientras desde Budapest. Su trabajo periodístico y comentarios han aparecido en medios como USA Today, y también ha participado al aire en cadenas internacionales como C5N en Argentina.
Nacido en Nueva York de padres colombianos y criado en Salt Lake City, Edgar es egresado de la Universidad de Utah, donde obtuvo títulos en Comunicación Social con énfasis en Periodismo y en Relaciones Internacionales. Su carrera periodística comenzó en The Daily Utah Chronicle, y posteriormente regresó a KUER—NPR Utah como conductor durante la pandemia de COVID-19.
Hablante nativo de inglés y español, Edgar también habla italiano, portugués, francés, entre otros.
Es miembro de la Asociación Nacional de Periodistas Hispanos (NAHJ, por sus siglas en inglés).
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Edgar Zúñiga conversa con la delantera de las Utah Royals, Kiana Palacios, antes del partido de este domingo contra el North Carolina Courage. -
Edgar Zúñiga sits down with Utah Royals forward Kiana Palacios ahead of Sunday’s match against the North Carolina Courage.
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Edgar Zúñiga speaks with José Barandiaran of Killa Nikkei and Ryan Crafts of The Tasting Room, establishments participating in the inaugural Sip & Savor. -
Edgar Zúñiga sits down with Julie Janke and Carlos Toledo to discuss Sip & Savor 2026, a new dine-around festival elevating Utah’s culinary scene.
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Twenty-five years later, KUER host Pamela McCall speaks with Edgar Zúñiga about covering 9/11, the search for survivors at Ground Zero, and how New Yorkers came together. -
The American Red Cross has moved its Utah headquarters to West Valley City. Edgar Zúñiga was there and spoke with a bilingual volunteer about serving the community. -
Edgar Zúñiga talks with Jilly McBane of the McCluskey Center for Violence Prevention about primary prevention and why stopping violence at the root cause is so important.
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Cómo ayudar. Edgar Zúñiga speaks with Frengy Alvarado of Panas en Utah, who explains local relief efforts and where Utahns can donate supplies for Venezuela. -
On Juneteenth, Program Director Edgar Zúñiga reflects on Black American history and how Avanza's mission to move forward begins with learning each other's stories. -
Edgar Zúñiga talks with World Cup fans in downtown Salt Lake City, including one supporter who recently attended his first World Cup match.
