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Home » Featured Alumni

Cathy Black

Major: 
Telecommunications (now Media Arts & Studies)
Year Graduated: 
1985
Hometown: 
Lexington, Kentucky
Current City: 
New York, New York
Current Employer: 
CBS News, Senior Producer, Broadcast Marketing
Top played song on your playlist?: 
I have too many favorites on my playlist to name just one.
Where has your CI degree taken you?: 

I feel truly blessed.  My degree from the University of Kentucky has taken me to the #1 Network in the country. UK afforded me the opportunity to build a solid foundation in my major. I learned all aspects of broadcast journalism, from the technical side of directing, lighting, audio and editing, to the producing side of developing, writing, booking, budgeting, etc.  I use the skills obtained at UK daily and have continued to build upon them throughout my career.

What is your favorite thing about your job?: 

I love the news. I grew up watching the “CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite” and the original “CBS This Morning,” so it’s truly remarkable and humbling for me to now work at the Network I admired for so long. It’s also an honor to walk the same halls where Cronkite and other great journalists have walked.  My favorite part of my job is covering the news. Meeting people, ordinary people and superstars, who are impacting our world, and who are making a difference in our society.  I love sharing their stories with the audience at home. It’s always an adventure because no two days at work are alike. The thrill of being part of a national news team is as exciting today as it was when I walked through the doors in July of 1990.

What¹s the most valuable thing you learned in CI?: 

One of the most valuable things I learned, was to learn everything you can about your career choice and to make as many contacts as possible. Although I knew I wanted to be a producer, I also took courses in reporting, lighting, directing, studio operations, etc., while at UK. The skills I gained from taking those courses have actually helped me as a producer many times in studio and out in the field. I am equipped to help troubleshoot if something goes wrong, and I’ve found that crews and journalists you work with appreciate the fact that you’re interested in the entire process from start to finish. I also have contacts from the beginning of my career that I can call on to this day. Building relationships throughout college and beyond is super important.

What advice would you give to current CI students?: 

My advice would be to take a broad range of courses, learn all you can, develop strong writing skills and appreciate and value all of the people you meet along the way. Building a rolodex with key contacts is so valuable. And finally, always, always, always, be genuinely nice to everyone. I’ve had assistance and support from all types of people.  No person and no job is ever too small.

Other Featured Alumni

Terry Likes
Head, Department of Communication at Mississippi State University
Ph.D. Communication
1996
Lindsay Hoffman
Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Delaware
Journalism
1999
Lyndsey Gough
Weekend Sports Anchor and News Multimedia Journalist at WTOC-TV
Journalism
2015
William Downey
Director, Government Affairs at RJ Corman Railroad Group
Communication
2008
TJ Beisner
Director, Content Development and Digital Media, JMI Sports
Journalism
2008
Patrick Reid
Digital Content Coordinator – TwinSpires/Churchill Downs
Media Arts and Studies
2015
Blair Conner
Social Media Manager, University of Kentucky
Communication
2015
Jackie Flegle Powell
Self-employed brand developer at Serif Group Creative Marketing Agency
Integrated Strategic Communication (Advertising)
1997
Kaelyn Query
Founder/President, Lexington Event Company
Communication
2010
Matt Murray
Head of Social Media- TODAY show, NBC News
Journalism
2011
Justin Allen
Producer/Director for Public Affairs programming at Kentucky Educational Television
MA- Communication
2009
Jacob Tamme
Director - Sports and Entertainment Division at Meridian Wealth Management
Integrated Strategic Communication
2006
Maggie Owens
Administrative Fellow, UK HealthCare
Communication
2016
Rebecca Stratton
Director of PR and Communications, Thomas More University
Integrated Strategic Communication
2015
Jennifer Pizzurro
OMD, Media Strategy Supervisor - PepsiCo Account
Communication
2013
Kirk Laird
IT Manager at the University of Kentucky (Media Depot)
Media Arts and Studies (Telecommunications)
2006
Kali Jakobi
Director of Marketing at Russell Capital Management
Integrated Strategic Communication
2017
Nancy Wiser
President, Wiser Strategies
MA, Communication
1996
Christina Buswell
NFL Network Podcast Producer, Head of Sports Content at PodcastOne Sportsnet
Journalism
2017
Chase Fairchild
Director of Partnerships, Legit Apps
Integrated Strategic Communication
2013
Carla Curtsinger
Speaker | Writer | Executive Coach
Media Arts & Studies (formerly Telecommunications)
1985
Brentin Ocker
Account Director, Delta Air Lines at Octagon
Communication
2009
Kate (Amy) Buckley
Founder/CEO of Buckley Media Group
Integrated Strategic Communication
1996
Luke Reedy
Post Production Coordinator on "Deception" Season 1 (ABC)
Media Arts & Studies
2013
Hannah Ellis
Songwriter/Artist 
Integrated Strategic Communication
2012
Keith Elkins
Radio Broadcaster for the Lexingto Legends
Media Arts and Studies (formerly Telecommunications)
1974
Ashley Westerman
Producer, NPR's "Morning Edition"
Journalism
2010
Chad Yelton
Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Integrated Strategic Communication
1997
Kevin Haney
IT Help Desk Technician at Tesla
Information Communication Technology
2016
Amanda Stamper
Director of Communications/Spokeswoman for KY Governor Matt Bevin
Integrated Strategic Communication
2005
Eric Gregory
President, Kentucky Distillers’ Association
Communication
1994
Rick Maynard
Senior Manager, Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Tempur Sealy
Journalism
1989
Michael Morgan
University of Kentucky HealthCare
Information Communication Technology
2016
Alecia Whitaker
Young adult author
Integrated Strategic Communication
2002
Blair Helwig
Associate Director at CBS Sports
Journalism
2013
J.D. Shelburne
Country Music Artist (touring)
Telecommunications (now Media Arts and Studies)
2007
Brad Hebebrand
Senior Global Creative Director at Under Armour
Advertising (now Integrated Strategic Communication)
1997
Ashley York
Filmmaker; Lecturer in the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California
Journalism
2002
Ty Halpin
Associate Director of Championships and Alliances, National Collegiate Athletic Association
Journalism
1996
Earl F. "Marty" Martin
President, Drake University
Communication
1984
Michelle Milam
Mars, Inc. Associate Brand Manager
Integrated Strategic Communication
2010
Scott Tomlin
Director of Basketball Communications for the Dallas Mavericks
Communication
2002
Bryan Kennedy
Reporter/Anchor with WXXV-TV News 25
Broadcast Journalism
2010
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