Lucas Quintana ‘26 Steps into Big Shoes as Social Media Intern at Bleacher Report Kicks
New Rochelle, N.Y. – This summer, Lucas Quintana ’26 brought his passion for digital media and marketing to life through an exciting internship with Bleacher Report Kicks.
As a social media intern, he dove into the fast-paced world of sports and sneaker culture, managing content for major platforms like TikTok and YouTube while learning how to engage audiences and track trends in real time.
Backed by a supportive Iona community and a hands-on education that emphasizes creativity, communication and leadership, Quintana stepped into his role with confidence. From Midnight Run service nights to managing campaigns for student organizations, his Iona experience prepared him to thrive in a competitive industry while staying true to who he is.
Read on to learn how Quintana is making moves in marketing, growing personally and professionally, and building a future rooted in purpose at Iona!
Name: Lucas Quintana
Hometown: Yonkers
High School: Stepinac High School
Major: Digital Media
Minor: Marketing
Favorite Spot on Campus: Hynes Lower Gymnasium
Why did you decide to attend Iona?
I chose to attend Iona because of the community and environment. Everyone was so engaging and welcoming when I first checked out the school. The people were charismatic and made me feel like Iona could really be my second home.
What interests you most about your chosen course of study?
What I enjoy most about my course of study is the constant change and challenge. There’s always something new to learn, and my major keeps evolving every day. Whether it’s finding new ways to market to people or staying up to date with trends on social media, my coursework pushes me to keep growing and adapting.
What distinct advantages have you gained from your Iona experience?
One of the biggest advantages I’ve gained is growing in my personal well-being. I’ve learned how to communicate with people professionally while still being effective and true to myself. I’ve also gotten to know myself better and understand how to work in the real world and make an impact.
Tell us about your plans for the future. In what ways has Iona prepared you for the next step you'll be taking?
My future plans are all about chasing what I’m passionate about, and Iona has truly prepared me for that next step. They’ve taught me to prioritize myself and showed me that dreams really can become reality when you stay focused. There’s no goal too small or too big, anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
What clubs, organizations or service projects are you involved with beyond the classroom?
I’ve been involved in so many different clubs, organizations, and service projects beyond the classroom. Every Thursday night, I take part in Midnight Run with Campus Ministry to give back to the homeless and serve our community. I’m also part of the esports team, Gael Guide Eboard, Iona Players, Iona Performing Arts, Residential Life, and more. All of these experiences have helped me grow as a person, build my character, and taught me the importance of giving back and being grateful for everything I have.
What were your responsibilities during your internship with Bleacher Report Kicks?
My internship responsibilities include covering sneaker news the moment it drops. Whether it’s an athlete, player, or designer releasing a new sneaker, it’s my job to cover it with captions, titles, photos, videos, and more to make sure the post hits. I also manage the TikTok and YouTube pages to keep engagement steady and growing. It’s important for me to stay on top of my game and stay connected with the sneaker community so I know how to post effectively and keep everything relevant.
What were the most valuable skills you gained during your internship?
One of the most valuable skills I’ve gained is confidence. In this industry, it can be nerve-racking, making sure you have all the right info, knowing the shoe, and staying on top of what’s going on. But I’ve learned that it’s okay to make mistakes. What matters is being confident in your work and staying true to yourself, no matter what people think or say. Another key skill I’ve developed is effective communication. I need to stay consistent, open, and honest with my managers and the people I work with, especially when things come up.
How did Iona prepare you for this opportunity?
Iona prepared me for this opportunity by giving me hands-on experience both inside and outside the classroom. From working on real marketing campaigns to creating content for student organizations, I learned how to think creatively, meet deadlines, and communicate clearly. The professors challenged me to push my limits, and the support I got from the Iona community gave me the confidence to step into a professional setting and thrive. Whether it was leading a group project or speaking up in class, Iona helped shape me into someone ready to take on this kind of role.
How will this internship experience impact your future career goals?
This internship is going to have a big impact on my future career goals because it gives me real experience in sneaker and sports marketing. I’ll get better at making content, managing social media, and keeping up with what’s trending – all skills I need for what I want to do. Working with athletes and people in the industry will help me meet new people and open up more chances down the road. Overall, this experience is setting me up to go after a career in marketing and media in the sneaker and sports world.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.