On The Record with Ambi
By Ambi Narula
On The Record with Ambi May 09, 2022
Toyin Akinwande (B.A.'18)
Toyin Akinwande is a 2018 Merill College graduate. She is currently working as the Public Relations and Marketing Specialist at Adventist HealthCare. She is also getting her Master's degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.
Karen Denny (B.A.'91) (M.A'02)
Karen Denny is the current Merrill College of Journalism Internship and Career Director. Previously, she worked as the CNS Annapolis Bureau Cheif and as an adjunct journalism professor. She graduated from Merrill College with her Bachelor's in 1991 and her Master's in 2002.
Zainab Mudallal (B.A.'14)
Zainab Mudallal graduated from Merrill College in 2014. She currently works as a senior operations editor at the Washington Post. Previously, she worked as an assistant editor for digital and operations at the Post.
Twitter: Zainab_Mudallal
Rebecca Rainey (B.A.'17)
Rebecca Rainey graduated from Merrill in 2017. She is a senior reporter covering the labor department at Bloomberg Law. Previously she worked as a reporter at POLITICO.
Twitter: @RebeccaARainey
Kira Barrett (B.A.'20)
Kira Barrett graduated from Merrill College in 2020. She recently started a new job as a content marketing associate at Publicis Sapient. Previously, she worked as a fellow at Venture For America.
Jessica Campisi (B.A.'18)
Jessica Campisi is a 2018 Merrill grad. She recently started a new job as a social media editor at Peacock. Previously, she worked as an Audience Producer at WAMU 88.5.
Sean McGoey (M.J.'20)
In 2020, Sean graduated with his Master's in Journalism from Merrill College. Currently, Sean works as a Data reporter for the Richmond Times- Dispatch.
Nick Munson (B.A.'14)
Nick Munson graduated from Merrill in 2014. After 5 years in the broadcast industry, Munson made the switch to work in communications. He currently works as the Director of Communications at Marymount University.
Beth Ward (B.A.'06) and Lindsay Kishter (B.A.'07)
Beth Ward (B.A.'06) and Lindsay Kishter (B.A.'07) work together as Directors of Nexight Group, a consulting firm.
Jason Fontelieu (B.A.'21)
Jason Fontelieu graduated from Merrill College in May 2021. After graduating he worked as an Editorial Fellow for the Washingtonian magazine. Recently he started a new job as a Community News Reporter for the Baltimore Sun.
Follow him on Twitter @JasonFontelieu
Samantha Caruso (B.A.'20)
Samantha Caruso graduted from Merrill college in 2020. During the pandemic, she started working as a Public Relations Associate for Technology clients at ICR, a strategic communications firm in Connecticut.
Maeve Dunigan (B.A.'18)
Maeve Dunigan graduated from Merrill in 2018. Since then, she has explored comedy writing. Maeve currently works at NYU and is getting her master's in Journalism. Her writing has been published in Reductress and the New Yorker.
Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @maevedunigan
Julia Gastwirth (B.A.'21)
Julia is a 2021 Merrill College grad. She currently works as a Digital Marketing Coordinator at DLA Piper.
Natalie Koltun (B.A.'16)
Natalie Koltun graduted from Merill College in 2016. After graduating, Natalie joined Industry Dive. She currently works as the Editor of Marketing Dive.
Follow her on Twitter: @natalie_koltun
Linkedin: @nataliekoltun
Jermaine Rowley (B.A.'19)
Jermaine Rowley graduated from Merrill College in 2019. Upon graduation, Jermaine worked at FOX43 WMPT as an Assignment editor and then as a multi-platform content producer. Recently, Jermaine joined AMC Networks as a Social media Marketing Specialist.
Folllow him on Twitter: @_JermaineR
Add him on Linkedin: @jermaine-rowley
Alexandra Wilding (M.A.'12)
Alexandra "Allie" Wilding graduated with her Masters' from Merrill in 2012. She currently works as a Journalism and Digital Media Educator at Washington International School.
Josh Land (B.A.'04)
Josh Land graduated from Merrill College in 2004. He currently works as the Communications Manager at Merrill College. Previously, he worked as a Sports Reporter and Editor at the Baltimore Sun.
Mackenzie Roche (B.A.'19)
Mackenzie graduated from Merrill College in 2019. Currently, she works as a travel editor at US News & World Report.
Mary Clare Fischer (B.A'14)
Mary Clare is a 2014 Merrill College graduate. She currently works as a PR Representative for Michigan Medicine.
Aline Barros (B.A.'13)
Aline is an immigration reporter for Voice of America’s News Center in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Merrill College in 2013
Follow her on Twitter @@AlineBarros2
Lexie Schapitl (B.A'17)
Lexie Schapitl is a 2017 Merrill College Graduate. She currently works as an Assistant Producer at NPR.
Natalie McGill (B.A.'07)
Natalie McGill is a 2007 Merrill College graduate and a D.C. stand-up comic. She has worked as an on-air correspondent and writer for the political satire TV show “Redacted Tonight” on RT America. She will be joining as a writer for the Season 3, Black Lady Sketch Show on HBO.
Simone Thomas (B.A.'17)
Simone Thomas is a 2017 Merril College graduate. She currently works as a Social Media Producer at POPSUGAR.
Follow her on Twitter: @simoneathomas
Connect with her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-thomas-65b452b1/
Katie Bemb (B.A.'18)
Katie graduated from Merrill College in 2018. She has recently come back to UMD working as a Communications Coordinator for the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-bemb-5b573a105/
Hannah Yasharoff (B.A.'19)
Hannah Yasharoff is a 2019 Merrill College graduate. She currently works as an Entertainment & Wellness Reporter at USA TODAY.
Alanna Delfino (B.A.'15)
Alanna Delfino is a 2015 alumna of Merrill College. She currently works as VERIFY as a Video and Photojournalist. She also currently works as an adjunct lecturer at Merrill.
Eleanor Mueller (B.A.'17)
Eleanor Mueller is a 2017 graduate of Merrill College. Since graduating, Eleanor has had different roles at POLITICO. Currently, she works as a Labor Reporter.
Follow her on Twitter: @eleanor_mueller
Adam Longo (B.A.'01)
Adam Longo is a 2001 graduate of Merrill. He works as a News Anchor and Reporter at WUSA - TV. He also works as an Adjunct Professor at Merrill since 2017 for the Broadcast classes.
Sue Kopen Katcef (B.S.'76)
Sue Kopen Katcef, now a freelance reporter for Maryland Public Television, is an award-winning journalist who served as an instructor for two decades at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. For the last 10 years, she was the Broadcast News Bureau Director of Merrill College's Capital News Service. Both her students and their show, Maryland Newsline, won numerous awards at the local, regional and national levels. She graduated from Merrill College in 1976.
Connect with her Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-kopen-katcef-a850a86/
Follow her on Twitter: @UMNewsie
Marjorie (Tharp) McKee (B.A.'87)
Marjorie (Tharp) Mckee is a 1987 Merrill College graduate. She currently works as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at mdlogix.
Connect with her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorietharp/
Amanda Chaya Engel (B.A.'17)
Amanda graduated from Merrill College with her bachelor's in Broadcast Journalism in 2017 and a minor in Astronomy. She currently works as a Content Planner at WMMAR.
Add her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acdrazen/
Kathy Jentz (B.S.'90)
Kathy Jentz graduated from Merrill in 1990; She is also the editor and publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine. A life-long gardener, Kathy believes that growing plants should be stress-free and enjoyable. Her philosophy is inspiration over perspiration.
She is also the editor of the Water Garden Journal (IWGS), The Azalean (ASA), and Fanfare, for the local daylily society.
She is also currently the Green Media columnist for the Mid-Atlantic Grower newspaper, where she does a great deal of hand-holding and coaxing to get independent garden centers, plant breeders, and other horticultural businesses to join the social media revolution and maximize their online brands.
Connect with her Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyjentz/
Julie Depenbrock (MJ'17)
Julie is a 2017 Master's graduate of Merrill College. She currently works as an Audio Producer for Opinions at The Washington Post.
Twitter: @JulieDepenbrock
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-depenbrock-15436790/
George Gerbo (M.J.'17)
George Gerbo is a 2017 Master of Journalism graduate from the Merrill College of Journalism. George is currently a podcast host and media coordinator at The Washington Times, providing daily podcast and social media content and coordinating on-air bookings for Times talent.
Connect with him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgegerbo/
Matt Bylis (B.A'16)
Matt Bylis is a 2016 graduate of Merrill College. He currently works as a Senior External Communications Associate at PwC.
Learn more about him by listening to his episode.
Twitter: @mattbylis
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbylis/
Julia Karron (M.J '18)
Julia Karron graduated from Merrill with her Master's in 2018. Since then, she has worked at: the Washington Post, NBC sports, WAMU and Buzzfeed.
Twitter: @jkitsjulia
Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakarron/
Alex Glass (B.A.'14)
Alex Glass’s goal is to capture raw emotion on camera and use it to produce captivating stories. After earning a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Philip Merrill College in 2014, he has gone on to produce award-winning work in the US and Australia and started his own video and marketing company: Cottage Creative.
Follow him on Social Media: @alexandersglass
Michael Stern (B.A.'17)
Michael Stern is an Account Executive at Pinkston Co. Michael manages several accounts in several industries including education, tech, non-profits, and healthcare.
Before joining Pinkston, Michael was the Executive Producer of Good Morning Richmond at WRIC-TV in Richmond, Virginia. Michael started working at the station in 2017 after graduating from Merrill College, producing every newscast before being promoted to EP. He was named the best producer of the Virginias by the Associated Press. His work has also taken him down to Florida to field produce during Hurricane Michael.
Jessica Wilde (M.J. '13)
Jessica Wilde graduated from Merrill with her Masters's in 2013. Since 2017, Jessica has worked as a Video Producer at NASA 360.
Twitter: @WildejessicaL
Lisa Woolfson (B.A.'20)
Since graduating last year in May 2020, Lisa Woolfson freelanced for Washington Jewish Week and the Baltimore Jewish Times. Recently she became a Newscast Producer at WRGB-CBS6. Learn more about Lisa by listening to her episode!
Kelly Farmer (B.A.'02)
Kelly Farmer doesn't have the most traditional journalism path. After graduating from Merrill College in 2002, Kelly started working in the administration side of higher education. She has worked at Villa Julie College, Stevenson University, and John Hopkins University. She also received her Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration in Higher Education from UMD in 2008. Kelly works as the Executive Director of Admissions for the Hopkins Carey Business school. Learn more about her and her career journey by listening to her episode.
Connect with her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellymfarmer/
Ira Chinoy (PHD '10)
Ira Chinoy has 24 years of experience as a journalist at four newspapers: The Washington Post, The Providence (Rhode Island) Journal, The Lawrence (Massachusetts) Eagle-Tribune, and The Pine Bluff (Arkansas) Commercial. Ira has been on the Merrill College faculty since 2001, first as a visiting professor and now as an associate professor. His courses include journalism history, researching emerging media in journalism, the use of archives as a resource for journalists, computer-assisted reporting, and news reporting and writing. In May 2010, he completed his Ph.D. in Journalism Studies at the University of Maryland with a dissertation exploring the intersecting histories of journalism and technology, titled “Battle of the Brains: Election-Night Forecasting at the Dawn of the Computer Age.” It was awarded the 2011 Margaret A. Blanchard Doctoral Dissertation Prize by the American Journalism Historians Association.
Follow him on Twitter: @ichinoy
Heather Travaglini (B.A.'02)
Hallie Miller (B.A.'18)
Hallie graduated from Merrill College in 2018 with a double major in broadcast journalism and government and politics. She started at the Baltimore Sun as a part of the audience engagement team and now currently works as a reporter for business & health.
Email her: hmiller@baltsun.com
Follow her on Twitter: @MsHallieMiller
Alex Flum (B.A.'18)
Alex Flum graduated from Merrill College in 2018 with a focus in sports reporting. He currently works as a Sports reporter at WDVM.
Follow him on Social media @AlexFlumTV
Jacqueline Hyman (B.A.'18)
Jacquline is a Merrill College graduate of 2018. She also graduated from UMD with her M.Ed. specializing in Secondary Education for English in 2019. She is currently working as a senior editorial assistant at School Administrator magazine from AASA.
You can contact her on Twitter: @jacqbh58
Savannah Haugdahl (B.A.'19)
Savannah works as a Digital Content Producer at 13News Now (WVEC) in Norfolk, VA. She graduated from Merrill College in 2018. Learn more about her and her career journey in her episode.
Follow her on Twitter @SavHaugdahl
Josh Davidsburg (B.A.'01)
Josh Davidsburg is an award-winning broadcast journalist, documentary filmmaker, and 2001 Merrill College alumnus.
Following his education, Josh started his career at WMDT in Salisbury; three years later, he moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where he worked for NBC-2 WBBH for two years. He then returned home to work for WBAL in Baltimore and Maryland Public Television, where he reported for two years.
Trained as an on-air broadcast reporter, Josh taught himself cinematography and videography. Josh's first full-length documentary, “Queen of the Capital,” appeared at the 2020 Slamdance Film Festival. He has also directed documentary shorts that have shown at prominent film festivals across the country.
Email: jdavidsb@umd.edu
Twitter: @jdavidsburg
Sam Nassau (B.A.'12)
Sam Nassau is a Producer at SiriusXM Radio for the Joe Madison show. He graduated from Merrill in 2012. Learn more about Sam and his career journey by listening to his episode.
Contact him:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-nassau-94875728/
Twitter: @samuelnas
Sung Min Kim (B.A.'14)
Sung Min is a 2014 graduate of Merrill College. He is an aspiring sports industry professional interested in scouting, analytics, and other inner workings of professional sports team operations. He will be returning back to the States from Korea for his Masters's in Sports Management.
Contact him at
Twitter: @sung_minkim
Email: sung.mink16@gmail.com