Officially, I’m a broadcasting professor at Washington State University (more on “officially” later). A homegrown Coug, I came back to my alma mater in 2019 to begin a teaching career. My job is to prepare the next generation of broadcast journalists, sports broadcasters, and TV hosts. In that effort, the faculty at WSU’s Murrow College of Communication are an extraordinarily successful bunch. If you’ve watched local news in the region, you’ve surely seen a Coug on your TV!

Like many of my educational peers, my return was preceded by a career in journalism. I spent 15 years in and around TV networks and newsrooms, anchoring morning and evening newscasts, reporting on topics in my community. I also worked as a sports director, anchoring sportscasts and reporting live at events across the country. That work took me to everything from local spelling bees and middle school wrestling meets to the cathedrals of college football, professional baseball, and more.

I can trace my desire to perform all the way back to elementary school. I’d fearlessly take the stage for a school play or musical performance. There was something about it that gave me energy, and eventually figured out how I could chase that into a career. Growing up, I sought out every opportunity to deliver my school’s morning announcements, or lend my voice when my school needed to produce a commercial for local radio.

I used the word “officially” at the start to describe my career as an educator, but much of the work that brought me there continues to this day. I actively work as a host and executive producer through public media. For years, I’ve covered elections for Northwest Public Broadcasting. My mission: To give a voice and a platform to those running for office in communities underserved due to challenges with local media resources. I’m proud of that work, which has helped communities stay informed on the people running to represent them.

On campus, I host most major events, from graduations to awards ceremonies, showcases, and convocations. I’m also a public address announcer for sports, bringing energy to Cougar women’s basketball and soccer games – I’ve also done football, men’s basketball and baseball. I work with WSU’s Cougar Collective, the name, image, and likeness organization working to support WSU student-athletes. With the Collective I host TV programs, donor events, fundraisers, and live auctions.

All of this experience has made me a good teammate for production crews, marketing teams, and event planners. I know my role, do it well, and understand the ways I can make everyone else’s job a little bit easier!