Edgar Zúñiga
Program DirectorA two-time Emmy Award-winning bilingual journalist, Edgar was born in New York City to Colombian immigrant parents and raised in Salt Lake City. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Mass Communication—Journalism and International Studies from the University of Utah.
Edgar currently serves as Program Director at Avanza 88.3 KUUB, one of the nation’s first bilingual public radio stations, where he leads not only programming but also production, community engagement, and audience development efforts. He is also the host of Conexión, Avanza's flagship public affairs segment that highlights nonprofits and community initiatives, furthering the station’s mission to uplift and connect Utah’s communities.
Throughout his 15+ year media career, Edgar’s work has spanned the East Coast and beyond, where he worked for NBC News and Telemundo Network as a Senior Producer. Most recently, he served as the American Red Cross Communications Delegate in Europe, where he led crisis response communications during the Ukraine conflict and lived a year and a half in Budapest, Hungary. He has been quoted in major outlets like USA Today and has appeared on air for Latin American networks including C5N.
His journalism career began at the University of Utah as a writer for The Daily Utah Chronicle and more than a decade later, returned as a fill-in host at KUER—NPR Utah during the pandemic years, helping to keep the community informed in unprecedented times.
A native English and Spanish speaker, Edgar also speaks Italian, Portuguese, French, Catalan, German, and a bit of Hungarian. His passion for cross-cultural storytelling, Latino media representation and community connection drives his leadership at Avanza.
He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ).
Director de Programación
Edgar Zúñiga es un periodista bilingüe galardonado con dos premios Emmy. Nació en la ciudad de Nueva York, hijo de inmigrantes colombianos, y creció en Salt Lake City. Es egresado de la Universidad de Utah, donde obtuvo títulos en Comunicación Social con énfasis en Periodismo y en Estudios Internacionales.
Actualmente se desempeña como Director de Programación en Avanza 88.3 KUUB, una de las primeras emisoras de radio pública bilingüe en Estados Unidos. Desde este cargo lidera la programación, la producción, el desarrollo de audiencias y participación comunitaria. Además, es presentador de Conexión, el segmento central de asuntos públicos en Avanza 88.3.
Con una trayectoria de más de 15 años en medios de comunicación, Edgar ha trabajado en todo el país y a nivel internacional, en NBC News, y en Telemundo Network como productor sénior. Más recientemente, fue delegado de comunicaciones de la Cruz Roja Americana en Europa, liderando la estrategia de comunicación en contextos de emergencia durante el conflicto en Ucrania. Su trabajo ha sido citado en medios de gran alcance como USA Today, y ha participado en transmisiones para cadenas latinoamericanas como C5N.
Es miembro de la Asociación Nacional de Periodistas Hispanos (NAHJ, por sus siglas en inglés).
-
La vocera Maribel Paulino habló con Edgar Zúñiga de Avanza 88.3 sobre la respuesta ante emergencias y cómo las familias pueden ayudar y prepararse. -
After flooding and a Salt Lake City apartment fire, Red Cross leader Maribel Paulino talks with Avanza’s Edgar Zúñiga about preparedness, volunteering, and helping others.
-
Avanza’s Edgar Zúñiga talks with Ma Black, DJ and activist, about Voces en Bloom, the Sept. 13 music and culture festival where she’ll spin at the cumbiatón. -
Join us Oct. 2nd at Drift Lounge to celebrate Avanza 88.3—Utah’s first bilingual public radio station! Click for EventBrite tickets link! -
Edgar Zúñiga of Avanza 88.3 interviews Nick Valencia on his immigration reporting in Utah, from fear in classrooms to small businesses fighting to survive -
Avanza 88.3 Program Director and Conexión host Edgar Zúñiga speaks with Maria O’Mara, Executive Director of Avanza, KUER, and PBS Utah, about the recent congressional cuts to public media funding. They discuss what the loss means for local stations and why Avanza isn’t going anywhere. -
WHAT YOU CAN DO—LO QUE PUEDES HACER: El Congreso eliminó $1,100 millones ya aprobados para NPR, PBS y medios locales. Act now to protect public media. -
Mexican Consul Eduardo Baca tells Avanza 88.3: “Fear is rising again... There’s so much uncertainty and uncertainty breeds fear.” Full interview airs soon. -
"Avanza is more than a radio station, it’s a community service dedicated to amplifying and uplifting Utah’s bilingual communities," Avanza 88.3 Program Director Edgar Zúñiga said. "Our name was chosen by people just like you, la comunidad." The name was selected at the inaugural Voces en Bloom concert in Salt Lake City in the fall. -
Our hearts are with everyone affected by the recent tragedies in Salt Lake, including the family of 8-month-old Anderson García who lost his life—an unimaginable and heartbreaking loss. Over the weekend, two separate shootings shook our community—one at WestFest in West Valley and another during the “No Kings” protest in downtown Salt Lake.
