Illinois Journalism Alumni

Illinois Journalism Alumni This page is administered by and for the alumni of the University of Illinois Journalism program.

UI-7 News is the student-produced television newscast of the Department of Journalism in the College of Media at the University of Illinois. UI-7 News is the winner of the 2014 & 2016 NATAS Mid-America Crystal Pillar award for the best collegiate newscast. University of Illinois broadcast journalism students have been producing and airing weekly or bi-weekly TV newscasts since the 1950s. Until the

middle 1970s, student news programming aired on WILL-TV (PBS). With the arrival of cable television in Champaign-Urbana, student broadcasts started airing on various cable access and government channels in C-U. Starting in 1997, student newscasts have aired on UI-7, the University's cable TV channel, live from the Richmond Journalism Teaching Studio.

That’s UI journalism alumnus Sean Evans of Hot Ones.
10/11/2025

That’s UI journalism alumnus Sean Evans of Hot Ones.

Congratulations to journalism alumna Niani Scott on her documentary production. She is a communications specialist with ...
10/09/2025

Congratulations to journalism alumna Niani Scott on her documentary production. She is a communications specialist with Colorado Workforce Development. Niani was previously with Denver Public Schools.

“I made a documentary! I hosted the premiere! I threw a VIP party in celebration of these things! I am a film producer. I am a marketing director. I am an events manager. I am. I am. I am. Thank God, I am who I am!
It’s time I finally toot my own horn a bit. I started on the documentary Angel Power! in early 2024, stepped away for a few months, and was invited back to rejoin the project earlier this year. I’m so glad Producer Robert Dean kept calling, and that I finally picked up!
Serving as Associate Producer on Angel Power! has been one of the most joyful and purpose-filled experiences of my creative life. I handled the logistics for interviews with the elders who are the living history of East High: those whose memories, laughter, and love shaped generations of excellence. Sitting with them, hearing their stories, and witnessing their pride reminded me why storytelling is sacred work. Seeing their faces light up on the big screen, hearing the audience cheer, and feeling that collective pride made every long hour worthwhile.
Once we wrapped filming, I went straight into promotion mode. My social content strategy reached over half a million views, amplifying the anticipation for premiere weekend. I coordinated a VIP Reception to honor donors, film participants, and the creative team, curating every detail so guests felt the legacy, community, and joy behind the story. After the reception, attendees rode in branded pedicabs to the red-carpet premiere at Denver East High School, another intentional touch to make the night unforgettable.
From crafting the guest experience to booking Denver’s top photographers, I put every piece together to ensure the evening reflected the power and pride of East’s 150-year legacy…and we packed the theater!

Link: https://lnkd.in/g8ZPAfEV

10/08/2025

Students are invited to join this Frank Center “Lunch and Learn” with Gus Johnson, lead college football and basketball play-by-play announcer at FOX Sports, this Thursday, Oct. 9, from 12-1:30 p.m., in the Frank Newsroom at Richmond Studio.

Johnson was one of CBS’s top college basketball play-by-play voices from 1996- 2011. Clips of his dramatic, enthusiastic calls in the deciding moments of NCAA Tournament games became part of the fabric of the events and were the foundation of Johnson’s rise as a YouTube sensation.

Andrew Burkey, student host of "Illini Sports Night," will also lead a Q&A. Lunch will be provided.

Please RSVP to Colleen King, clinical assistant professor of journalism and director of the Frank Center, at [email protected].

10/08/2025

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Three scientists won the Nobel Prize in chemistry on Wednesday for their development of metal–organic frameworks that could eventually help reduce pollution and combat climate chan…

Hooray for College of Media alumna Colleen Dempsey who worked with Fox Sports on the recent NFL broadcast in London. Co...
10/08/2025

Hooray for College of Media alumna Colleen Dempsey who worked with Fox Sports on the recent NFL broadcast in London. Colleen, a 2018 Advertising graduate, is a freelance graphics operator for Fox In college, she worked with Fighting Illini Productions, WPGU and The Daily Illini. She previously worked at BTN

“An incredible experience this past week traveling to London with our Fox Sports NFL crew to broadcast the Vikings vs Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for NFL Network. A memorable career moment and a fun trip to share with our crew. Back to the States for Week 6!”

10/07/2025

Samantha Chatman, anchor and reporter at WLS-TV/Channel 7, is a Crain's Chicago Business 40 Under 40.

10/07/2025

Students are invited to join this Frank Center Student Workshop to learn more about sports reporting with alum David Campbell (BS '87, journalism), on Friday, Oct. 10, 12-1:30 p.m., at the Frank Newsroom at Richmond Studio.

David Campbell is the sports director for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. In that role, he coordinates coverage of the Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians, Ohio State, and area high school sports for the nation's ninth-largest local news website. He is also a former Daily Illini Sports Editor.

Lunch will be served. RSVP to Colleen King, clinical assistant professor of journalism and director of the Frank Center, at [email protected].

Emmy-winning UI Journalism alumna Liz Koh is in her sixth semester teaching journalism at Louisiana State University in ...
10/06/2025

Emmy-winning UI Journalism alumna Liz Koh is in her sixth semester teaching journalism at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. The 2014 Illinois graduate is a full time reporter and morning anchor at WAFB in Louisiana. In college, Liz was a video editor at The Daily Illini.

UI Journalism alumna Meghan Rest is taking on a new role at Caterpillar. She’ll be a digital adoption representative ba...
10/06/2025

UI Journalism alumna Meghan Rest is taking on a new role at Caterpillar. She’ll be a digital adoption representative based in Philadelphia. Meghan is a 2020 graduate who was sports editor at The Daily Illini

“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Digital Adoption Representative at Caterpillar Inc.”

Recent Editor-in-chief at The Daily Illini Lika Lezhava is headed to Johns Hopkins! She is a 2024 Advertising graduate ...
10/06/2025

Recent Editor-in-chief at The Daily Illini Lika Lezhava is headed to Johns Hopkins! She is a 2024 Advertising graduate with a bachelor’s in applied science. She most recently was an intern and freelance journalist in Tibilisi, Georgia

“I am thrilled to share that I have been accepted into Johns Hopkins University, where I will be pursuing a Master’s in Communication with a concentration in Public and Media Relations starting in January.
I look forward to building on my experience, expanding my knowledge, and connecting with others who are passionate about the future of communication.”

Congratulations to alumnus JJ Kim on passing the bar. JJ graduated with a JD from Illinois Law school in 2025. He is a ...
10/06/2025

Congratulations to alumnus JJ Kim on passing the bar. JJ graduated with a JD from Illinois Law school in 2025. He is a 2022 journalism graduate. JJ was Editor-in-chief at The Daily Illini

“This past May, I graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law. I met so many brilliant professors and peers throughout my three years in Champaign, and I can’t wait to apply what I’ve learned in the legal field.
I am also grateful to share that I have passed the Illinois Bar Examination with a score high enough to practice in any UBE jurisdiction.
Now, I’m working as a Law Clerk at Litchfield Cavo LLP and will transition as a full-time Associate once I am sworn in.
Words cannot describe how relieved, humbled, and excited I am to begin this new chapter!”

Congratulations to alumna Rose-Ann (Roe) Aragon Maneevese on a promotion at Microsoft in Houston where she is an AI Inno...
10/06/2025

Congratulations to alumna Rose-Ann (Roe) Aragon Maneevese on a promotion at Microsoft in Houston where she is an AI Innovation Storyteller and Communications Manager. The Emmy winner previously worked at KPRC, WCPO and WEEK. She is on the Bronze Tablet

Celebrating my “Senior” promotion at work! 🥂Worked my butt off to tackle a new field, and it’s been thrilling bringing all my journalism experiece to the table. ✍️🎥I love that there are no steadfast rules. Had 3 managers in 3 years - things move fast with cutting-edge tech, but nothing any breaking news reporter can’t handle 😜! Get to craft my own role, get creative, and empower global storytellers - always making sure to take the *best* care of my fellow journalists. I encourage our teams to think more inclusively on a global scale. Feel like I’ve climbed many mountains and valleys to this point. I am razor-sharp focused on my Purpose. 🙏🏼 Grateful for it all and all my mentors. And, in this day and age, any good, is a good moment to take pause and look up. - You can’t take anything for granted.”

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