Veteran Spanish-language media executive to deliver Cronkite convocation address
Spanish-language media executive José Cancela. Courtesy photo
Air Force veteran and accomplished Spanish-language media executive José Cancela will deliver the address at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication spring 2026 convocation on May 14.
Convocation details
Spanish-language media executive José Cancela will address Cronkite graduates at the Cronkite Convocation at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Desert Financial Arena on the Tempe campus.
Learn more about Cronkite Convocation.
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Cancela served as president of the Telemundo Station Group, a division of NBCUniversal, from 1992 to 1998, then returned to the role in 2024. Cancela provides strategic and operational leadership to the NBCUniversal Local media portfolio that includes Telemundo stations in 31 markets across the U.S., including Phoenix.
“I’m incredibly honored — and honestly, it’s very thrilling — to serve as the convocation speaker at the ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Communication graduation,” Cancela said. “I’ve spent my career at the center of a rapidly evolving media landscape, and it’s hard to imagine a more consequential and exciting moment for journalism and communications. This graduating class is stepping into a field that needs their curiosity, their courage and their voices more than ever. I cannot wait to celebrate with them.”
Cancela has more than 35 years of experience in leadership roles with more than four decades in media. He began his career as a sales trainee in Miami after serving in the Air Force, and he is also the author of “The Power of Business en Espanol.”
Cronkite School Dean Battinto Batts Jr. believes Cancela will provide a message that will be inspiring to the graduates and the general audience.
“I am excited that José will be our convocation speaker because of his many experiences, deep understanding of journalism and media, and a commitment to serving the needs of audiences,” Batts said. “We value our relationship with Telemundo, and his presence symbolizes how important Cronkite is to him and the company.”