Follow the Fellows


 

Bice, Allie

Allie Bice | @alliebice
Hearst Foundation Fellow

Allie Bice is a recent graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, with dual degrees in political science and journalism. While in college, Bice fact-checked public officials as prominent as the president of the United States for The Arizona Republic and chased down members of Congress for comment on Capitol Hill for Cronkite News and Arizona PBS. She also most recently served as the editor-in-chief for ASU’s student-run digital publication, The State Press. Her work can be found in The Arizona Republic, The Hill, USA TODAY, and The State Press. More can be found on her online portfolio at alliebice.com.

 

Bitterman, Abby

Abby Bitterman | @abby_bitterman
Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation Fellow

Abby Bitterman is a senior at the University of Oklahoma where she studies print journalism and political science. She works for her student newspaper, The OU Daily, where she serves as the assistant sports editor and previously worked as a sports reporter and news reporter. Bitterman also interned at The Oklahoman where she covered business news. Her work can be found at oudaily.com.

 

Blackwell, Penelope

Penelope Blackwell | @penspen_
Hearst Foundation Fellow

Penelope Blackwell is a multimedia journalist from Washington, D.C., who is  a senior at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. In the fall, she will serve as the editor-in-chief of The MSU Spokesman, the university student newspaper, where she previously was campus news editor. She has produced content for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the Legacy Media Institute and Morgan State University’s athletic department. She worked on a film documentary about the unique  relationship between Morgan State University and the University of Havana in Cuba.

 

Bleir, Garet

Garet Bleir | @GaretBleir

Garet Bleir recently graduated with honors from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University with dual degrees in magazine journalism and marketing management. Bleir is an investigative journalist who most recently completed an award-winning longform series on human rights and environmental abuses of indigenous nations in the Grand Canyon region. It was commissioned by the indigenous peoples magazine Intercontinental Cry and the news publication Toward Freedom. This work resulted in Bleir serving as the producer of a 30-minute documentary outlining these same issues to be featured in August on Germany’s largest television station.  Bleir also runs Karuna Outdoor, an outdoor adventure and travel magazine. See his work on Facebook at Garet Bleir Journalism or on Instagram: @GaretBleir.

 

Bounds, Brandon

Brandon Bounds | @brandonbounds_

Brandon Bounds is a senior journalism major at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University. Bounds interned at WKSU 89.7, an NPR member station, and reported for the Akron Beacon Journal and Gatehouse Media Ohio. In the fall, Bounds will serve as the enterprise producer for the university’ television station TV2 and as the president of the Kent State chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. Find more of his work here.

 

Bourque, Scott

Scott Bourque | @sdbourque1
Hearst Foundation Fellow

Scott Bourque is a master’s student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He earned a bachelor of science degree and a graduate certification from Northern Arizona University in political communication and media criticism. Bourque learned to love storytelling while working as a combat correspondent for the American Forces Network. He covered the 2011 tsunami relief efforts in Japan, combat operations in Afghanistan in 2013, and produced hundreds of other stories. His interests include long-form audio storytelling, especially about diverse people and issues that often don’t get media coverage. See his work on AFN, KJZZ radio, and at businessjournalism.org.

 

Brown, Brittany

Brittany Brown | @isthatbritt

Brittany Brown is a senior journalism major and Spanish minor at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). Brown is very involved in Ole Miss student media, where she is the assistant news editor for The Daily Mississippian newspaper and was the digital content producer for the NewsWatch Ole Miss, a live, student-run TV news program. Brown is passionate about investigative journalism and multimedia storytelling. View some of her work at isthatbrit.wordpress.com.

 

Byington, Lillianna

 

Lillianna Byington | @lil_byington

Lillianna Byington is a recent graduate of George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication and a minor in criminal justice. Byington recently served as editor-in-chief of The Hatchet, GW’s independent student newspaper, after working as a news editor and reporter. She is passionate about investigative journalism and her work has been published in The Washington Post, Bloomberg BNA, The Hatchet, The New Republic and Westchester Magazine. Her portfolio can be found at lilliannabyington.contently.com.

 

Campbell, Brendan

Brendan Campbell | @verboseghost
Donald W. Reynolds Fellow

Brendan Campbell is a master’s student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, focusing on investigative and governmental reporting. Originally from Michigan, Campbell has lived in the Phoenix area for more than a decade, and holds a bachelor of science in political science from ASU. He will be working at the Cronkite News Washington Bureau before graduating in December. View his work at VerboseGhost.com.

 

Capps, Andrew

 

Andrew Capps | @JAndrewCapps

Andrew Capps is a senior at the University of Tennessee majoring in journalism and political science with a minor in computer science. Capps spent a year and a half working as a reporter for the Knoxville News Sentinel, part of the USA Today Network, where he covered breaking news and events. See his work at jandrewcapps.com.

 

Clo, Renata

Renata Cló | @renataclo
Hearst Foundation Fellow

Renata Cló is pursuing a master’s degree in journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She was born and raised in Brazil, where she earned an undergraduate degree in social communication. Cló speaks four languages and chose journalism as a career because she has always loved discovering new places, talking to different people and telling stories. See her work at renataclo.weebly.com.

 

Cooney, Rosanna

 

Rosanna Cooney | @rosannacooney

Rosanna Cooney is a graduate of Dublin City University. She is a multimedia journalist working for Maximum Media in Dublin, Ireland.  She received national and international recognition for her work on the “Story of the Eighth Amendment.” This was recently translated into Czech for Britské listy. Cooney reported on the Belfast rape trial, and received national acclaim for live-tweeting the trial. Most recently, Cooney has been the journalist/producer on the Generation 8th series, which has attracted more than 2 million views on Facebook and Twitter. Cooney has been published in The Irish Times, been a contributor on the BBC, BBC Radio Shetland, BBC Northern Ireland and RTÉ radio, Ireland’s national broadcaster.

 

Devine, Catherine

 

Catherine Devine | @Catherinedevin1

Catherine Devine, who graduated with a degree in journalism from Dublin City University, is a digital channel editor at Independent News and Media in Dublin, Ireland. Devine has travelled to Ethiopia where she reported for the Irish Independent on the challenges facing women in education and politics. She also has experience reporting news, politics and data journalism. Read her work at independent.ie/search/?search=Catherine+devine.

 

Diestel, Tessa

 

Tessa Diestel | @tessa_diestel

Tessa Diestel is a recent graduate of the College of Media, Communication and Information at the University of Colorado Boulder. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in Spanish. While at CU, she served as a reporter and anchor for NewsTeam Boulder and Buff Sports Live. She was also awarded the William W. White Award, which recognizes the graduating student in the journalism department who best exhibits a combination of academic merit, professional achievement and service to the school. Her portfolio can be found at tessadiestel.com.

 

Egeland, Alexis

Alexis Egeland | @alexis_egeland
Hearst Foundation Fellow

Alexis Egeland is a senior at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Egeland has worked as a breaking news and a community reporter at The Arizona Republic, a legal reporter in Washington, D.C, for Cronkite News and Arizona PBS, as well as a copy editor, reporter and desk editor for The State Press,  ASU’s student news organization. She will graduate in December with a degree in journalism and mass communication. See her work at alexisegelandmedia.weebly.com.

 

Gagliano, Katie

 

Katie Gagliano | @katie_gagliano

Katie Gagliano is a recent graduate of the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in business administration. While at LSU, Katie worked as a news and entertainment reporter for The Daily Reveille, the student news publication, and as a legislative reporter for the Manship School Statehouse Bureau, providing statehouse coverage for over 30 Louisiana publications. Gagliano’s work can be found in The Advocate, The Desert Sun, DIG Baton Rouge and Gambit Weekly. View her work at katiegagliano.wordpress.com.

 

Gardner, Kianna

Kianna Gardner | @KiaGardner
Don Bolles Fellow

Kianna Gardner recently graduated with a master’s degree from ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. While at ASU, Kianna participated in multiple borderlands initiative programs that took her to Israel and Mexico to report on in-depth environmental issues. She also worked as a sustainability reporter and a data analyst for Cronkite News and Arizona PBS. Gardner’s work can be found in the Seattle Times,  U.S. News and World Report, The Arizona Republic and the Arizona Daily Star. Read her work at kiannagardner.weebly.com.

 

Hepp, Brooks

Brooks Hepp | @BrooksHepp10
Myrta J. Pulliam Fellow

Brooks Hepp is a senior at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, studying communications and English writing and communications, with a focus on journalism. He is editor-in-chief of DePauw’s student-run newspaper, The DePauw, and has served other roles on staff, including news editor, sports editor, and opinions editor. Hepp has also served as a reporter and photographer for The Reporter-Times in Martinsville, Indiana.

 

Hopko, Ashley

 

Ashley Hopko | @AshleyHopko

Ashley Hopko is a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder, studying political science and journalism with an emphasis in global media. She has contributed to publications including the Denver Business Journal and the Glass Heel. The Colorado native, with a relentless enthusiasm for journalism,  has interned with local publications including CU Boulder Today, and ImpactFounder, a publication that focuses on entrepreneurs’ successes and struggles.

 

Howard, Kaylen

Kaylen Howard | @Kaylen02Howard

Kaylen Howard is a recent graduate of the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas in Denton County where she studied broadcast journalism. She also minored in sculpting and in social sciences. Her expertise is in videography, editing, reporting, and radio. Howard has a passion for visual journalism and her work has appeared in the North Texas Daily newspaper in Denton. She shoots videos and mini-documentaries for musicians, businesses and Texas personalities. See her work at kaylenhoward.wixsite.com/mysite.

 

Jackson, Jimmie

Jimmie Jackson  | @jimmie_AJ
Hearst Foundation Fellow

Jimmie Jackson is working on a master’s degree at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He previously earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a graduate assistant at the Reynold’s Center for Business Journalism and freelance audio visual technician for Video Tech Services.  See his work at jimmiej22.wixsite.com/website.

 

Jones, Storme

Storme Jones | @StormeJones
Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Fellow

Storme Jones is a broadcast journalism senior at the University of Oklahoma, with emphasis on international studies and political science. He has worked at Oklahoma City’s National Public Radio member station, KGOU. There, he hosted midday newscasts and reported on policing issues affecting minority communities and people with disabilities for KGOU and NPR. In the fall, Jones will work in Washington, D.C., for the Gaylord News Service, reporting on national issues affecting Oklahomans.  Jones is a 2018 Native American Journalists Association Scholar. See his online portfolio at stormebjones.com.

 

Keith, Emma

Emma Keith | @shakeitha_97
Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Fellow

Emma Keith is a senior at the University of Oklahoma, studying print journalism and Spanish. She works with the campus news organization, The OU Daily, where she has served as news managing editor for the past year and previously as a reporter. She has covered and managed coverage of stories about mental health, race, and the campus administration during a shift in university presidents.

 

Knowles_Shelby

Shelby Knowles | @ShelbyAKnowles

Shelby Knowles is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a master of arts degree in journalism. The Houston native is a multimedia journalist who has covered health, science and immigration stories, as well stories in many other topic areas.  Her numerous internships include with National Public Radio in Washington, D.C., and The Texas Tribune in Austin, Texas. See her work at shelbyknowles-photography.com.

 

Lanich, Carley

 

Carley Lanich | @carleylanich

Carley Lanich is a recent graduate of the Media School at Indiana University, where she received bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science, while minoring in international studies. While at IU, she served as a reporter, investigations editor and editor-in-chief at the Indiana Daily Student, where she reported on crime, courts and the intricacies of campus rape. Her work has also been published with the Indianapolis Business Journal, the Times of Noblesville and News-Decoder.

 

Mackey, Ashley

Ashley Mackey |  @Forevrash
Knight Foundation Fellow

Ashley Mackey is working on a master’s degree in sports journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and minor in communication studies from the University of Montana. Although her primary focus has been photography and videography, she has published articles in the East Valley Tribune, Arizona Big Media and Nearby News. She also interned at the United States Tennis Association.  Portfolio: ashleycmackey.weebly.com.

 

Marlatt, Tilly

Tilly Marlatt | @tillymarlatt
Myrta J. Pulliam Fellow

Tilly Marlatt is a senior at DePauw University studying English writing. The multimedia journalist has held various leadership positions with student media organizations, including news director for D3TV’s The Source, assistant production director for 91.5 WGRE, staff writer and photographer for The DePauw, and the student media director for the DePauw Sustainability Leadership Program. Marlatt also interned with The Bob and Tom Radio Show, the Zionsville Times Sentinel, and Radio One Indianapolis. To view Tilly’s work, visit tillymarlatt.com.

 

Martinez Dominguez, Lenny

 

Lenny Martinez Dominguez | @lennymartinezd

Lenny Martinez Dominguez is a master’s student at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and product design from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lenny is a designer, visual journalist, and editor interested in how information is presented and experienced, and the intersection of media and technology. His work has been published in The Tech, The Daily Orange, and on planetachatbot.com. A selection of his work is available at lennymartinez.com.

 

Mendoza, Angel

Angel Mendoza | @angeInews
Donald W. Reynolds Fellow

Angel Mendoza is a recent graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University. The multimedia journalist has covered multiple cities in Arizona while reporting on the community desk for The Arizona Republic. Previously, he worked as a politics reporter and campus life editor for ASU’s student newspaper, The State Press.  See his portfolio at angelnews.com.

 

Morgan, Emmanuel

 

Emmanuel Morgan | @_EmmanuelMorgan

Emmanuel Morgan is a senior at Elon University in North Carolina. He is the executive director of Elon News Network, Elon’s merged student media organization, where he directs coverage for its digital, print and broadcast platforms. Previously, he interned at the Charlotte Observer, writing stories for the sports, metro and investigative desks. He also was selected for two nationally  competitive fellowships for the National Association of Black Journalists. Morgan also wrote for ESPN’s The Undefeated. View his work at emmanuelmorgan.com.

 

Murphy, Connor

Connor Leavy Murphy | @ConnorLMurphy
Donald W. Reynolds Fellow

Connor Leavy Murphy is a recent graduate of Arizona State University, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science and minored in American history. While at ASU, he wrote for Politico Europe in its Brussels office, reporting on European politics and Transatlantic affairs. Murphy has also been published in the Phoenix Business Journal. He also interned with the U.S. Department of State in Milan and the Office of the United States Trade Representative in Washington, D.C.  In the fall, Connor will attend law school at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. See his portfolio at connorleavymurphy.wordpress.com.

 

Parham, Justin

Justin Parham | @jparhamtv
Donald W. Reynolds Fellow

Justin Parham is a master’s student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He received his bachelor’s degree in mass media arts from Clark Atlanta University. Parham is a multimedia journalist who specializes in sports reporting, and documentary work. He launched his own sports news show “The Sideline” while an undergraduate. The show has reached more than 300,000 viewers on the web, and has almost 500,000 impressions on Twitter. For more information, visit his website justinparham.com.

 

Putney, Jasmine

 

Jasmine Putney | @jazthejourno

Jasmine Putney is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa, where she received bachelor’s degrees in journalism and cinematic arts. During that time, Jasmine worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant for introductory journalism courses. She has also worked for three years as a videographer for the university strategic communications office. There she helped shoot TV spots, live stream large events, and produce short-form video stories. Her work has been published in The Daily Iowan and Iowa Now.

 

Ross, Megan

Megan Ross | @meg_ross_
Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Fellow

Megan Ross is a senior studying journalism, Spanish and art at the University of Oklahoma. She is a multimedia journalist specializing in still photography and writing. During her time at the university, she has worked as a photographer for Sooner Yearbook, the OU Daily and various other local publications. This fall, Ross will serve as editor-in-chief of the Crimson Quarterly and Sooner Yearbook. Additionally, she will be working for Gaylord News Service in Washington, D.C., reporting on national issues of interest to Oklahomans. Her work can be found on meganrosscollective.com.

 

Smitherman, Danny

Danny Smitherman | @djsmitherman
Donald W. Reynolds Fellow

Danny Smitherman is a master’s student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He earned a bachelor of science degree in secondary education at the University of Texas at Austin. After teaching high school sciences for two years, he completed a master’s degree in philosophy at the University of Montana, where he focused on the history and philosophy of science. Smitherman has published in magazines, ezines, academic journals, and written one book. He is also a longtime photographer, shooting photos during the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, on the streets of Rome and Athens, in the mountains of Montana, inside clubs in San Diego and Phoenix, and at a volunteer nurses’ clinic set up south of the Arizona/Mexico border. View his work at djsmitherman.media.

 

Spadafora, Bryce

 

Bryce Spadafora | @bryce_spadafora

Bryce Spadafora is a recent graduate of the Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure University. He graduated with a degree in journalism and mass communications. Previously, he served as editor-in-chief of The Intrepid, St. Bonaventure’s online newspaper, and as digital content manager of SBU-TV, the broadcast news station at SBU. Bryce also has a background in social media, advertising and marketing. View his work at  brycespadafora.wixsite.com/brycespadafora.

 

Walters, Rebecca

Rebecca Walters | @RebWalters
Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation Fellow

Rebecca Walters is a multimedia journalist from Oklahoma City. She is a recent graduate of the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in online journalism with a minor in philosophy. Previously, Walters served as the senior producer for the OU Nightly, the University of Oklahoma’s nightly newscast. She has a background in social media, data journalism, documentary journalism and web development. She has reported on local and breaking news, education policy and refugee issues for various outlets at the University of Oklahoma.

 

Zoledziowski, Anya

 

Anya Zoledziowski | @anyazoledz

Anya Zoledziowski is a multimedia journalist and recent graduate of the University of British Columbia’s master of journalism program. Previously, she earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science with a minor in Polish language studies. She has reported on local news, race, education, gender, drug policy and Indigenous issues for various Canadian publications, including The Globe and Mail, The Edmonton Journal, VICE, CBC Indigenous and the University of British Columbia’s journalism school student publication, The Thunderbird. Zoledziowski interned with investigative journalism startup The Discourse, and was recently awarded the Donna Logan Scholarship for graduating with the highest academic average in her class and for her interest in investigative reporting. Find samples of Zoledziowski’s work at www.anyazoledz.com.