WELCOME
We are a volunteer collective of alumni of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication. We created this network to offer our experience and time to SOJC students, especially those who feel the journalism industry doesn’t look, write or sound like them and their communities.
We want to keep this simple, so here’s how it works: peruse the mentors, check out whether one or several of us can speak to a struggle, problem, question or victory you’d like to share. Click the “Get in Touch” button to send that mentor an email.
For more information about the Diverse Alumni Mentor Network, visit our About page.
MEET THE MENTORS
Kaylee Tornay
Reporter, Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Can coach on: basic data journalism, including Sheets, Excel and SQLite, unlearning perfectionism, education reporting, balancing empathy and self-care, dealing with impostor syndrome (racial or otherwise).
Media skills/experience: Longform narrative journalism, education reporting, news video, breaking news, international reporting, data journalism
Previous workplaces: Mail Tribune, Daily Emerald, Billy Penn.
Caitlyn May
Reporter, Albany Democrat-Herald
Can coach on: Charles Snowden internship program, Flux Magazine, impostor syndrome, the first-generation college student experience, time management, interviewing, sorting through biracial identity.
Media skills/experience: Long form journalism, rural news, local news, source building. Board member - Society of Professional Journalists, Greater Oregon Territory
Previous work places: Pahrump Mirror, Statesman Journal, Cottage Grove Sentinel
Samantha Matsumoto
Producer, Oregon Public Broadcasting’s “Think Out Loud”
Can coach on: Networking and how to use that network to get internships and jobs, source building, working through impostor syndrome, navigating a majority-white workplace as a woman of color
Media skills/experience: community news, audio production and editing, breaking news, writing and editing
Previous workplaces: The Oregonian/OregonLive, The Austin American-Statesman, Daily Emerald, FLUX Magazine
Kaylee Domzalski
Video journalist, Education Week
Can coach on: everything photo, video and lighting, the Snowden internship program
Media skills/experience: studio portraiture, sports photojournalism, digital and social media production, animation
Previous workplaces: Oregon Public Broadcasting, Daily Emerald, Slate Magazine, NPR, FLUX Magazine, University of Oregon
Gabby Urenda
Reporter, Beaverton Valley Times
Can coach on: video, editorial, digital, broadcast, reporting in a rural community, developing sources
Media skills/experience: breaking news, video editing, local news
Previous workplaces: Washington County News-Times, KPIC, Pac-12 Networks, The Siren Magazine
Andy Field
Capitol reporter, Associated Press (Kansas)
Can coach on: becoming a U.S.-based journalist from abroad, getting internships outside the Pacific Northwest, including after graduation, Media in Ghana program, involvement with the Asian American Journalists Association.
Media skills/experience: public radio reporting, breaking news
Previous workplaces: Bismarck Tribune, The Japan Times, The News-Review, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Eugene Weekly, The Tennessean, The Chronicle of Higher Education, St. Louis Public Radio.
Meerah Powell
General assignment/breaking news reporter, Oregon Public Broadcasting
Can coach on: anything audio-related, career advice, getting into public media and the joys of being a Black and Filipina person in Oregon
Media skills/experience: audio production and editing, being on-air, writing and editing for print, digital and radio, photography and some videography
Previous workplaces: Eugene Weekly, Daily Emerald
Tran Nguyen
Journalist, graduate student, University of Missouri
Can coach on: beat reporting, FOIA requesting, source-building and navigating the newsroom. She can also talk about her experience being a non-citizen and non-white reporter.
Media skills/experience: investigative reporting, breaking news, political reporting, education reporting
Previous workplaces: Ashland Tidings, Eugene Weekly, Daily Emerald
Dahlia Bazzaz
Education reporter, the Seattle Times
Can coach on: building a beat, cultivating trust with sources, reporting on race/identity and navigating newsroom politics as a woman of color.
Media skills/experience: education reporting, data projects using Excel/SQL, breaking news
Previous workplaces: Daily Emerald, The Wall Street Journal
Polly Irungu
Digital Content Editor, WNYC’s The Takeaway
Can coach on: Networking, navigating local and national newsrooms, leadership, sports/news/music-related things
Media skills/experience: Founder - Black Women Photographers, social media, photography, audio production and editing, video production, freelancing
Previous workplaces: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, NPR, UO SOJC, Pac-12 Network, TrackTown USA
Eder Campuzano
Education reporter, The Oregonian/OregonLive
Can coach on: interviewing, cover letter writing and résumé building, negotiating raises, seeking promotions, networking
Media skills/experience: working for small and mid-sized newspapers. breaking and trending news, county government and education reporting
Previous workplaces: Grants Pass Daily Courier, Daily Emerald
Francesca Fontana
Reporter, Wall Street Journal
Can coach on: building a professional network, salary negotiation, being a first-generation college student, the Snowden internship program
Media skills/experience: business/financial reporting, local news, breaking news
Previous workplaces: Register-Guard, Oregonian/OregonLive
Drake Hills
Sports reporter, The Tennessean / USA Today Network
Can coach on: campus media, career networking, GoDucks.com opportunities, graduate school journalism, National Association of Black Journalists, Media in Ghana program, journalism in academia, sports media in the United Kingdom
Media skills/experience: feature writing, local beat reporting, podcasts
Previous workplaces: Arizona Republic, Pro Soccer USA, Cincinnati Enquirer, SB Nation, San Diego Union-Tribune, GoDucks.com