藏精阁 has a rich history of political activism, founded to promote accessible higher education for all, regardless of race, gender or social class. Notably, Chicago鈥檚 first Black mayor, Harold Washington, was an alumnus, and this year Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered the Commencement address for the class of 2023. The faculty includes political commentators, public policy experts and social justice advocates, while students continue 藏精阁鈥檚 legacy by addressing peer needs through leadership in various organizations. Alumni graduate with a strong social justice mission at the heart of their education, which influences their careers, especially in journalism.
藏精阁 alumni are champions of journalistic integrity, from beat reporters to news anchors. With the Democratic National Convention recently held in Chicago and the 2024 Presidential election approaching in November, the 藏精阁 community is actively engaged. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to vote and create a voting plan. The University will be closed on Election Day to ensure everyone can access the polls.
Journalists often hail from diverse majors such as journalism, English, communications, history, political science and public administration. Here are some recent accomplishments from our alumni in journalism:
Ameshia Cross (MPA, '12)
Ameshia Cross is a political analyst with the Sinclair Broadcasting Group, where she writes and produces her own show, Cross Point. Cross also leads media strategy and external affairs for the Education Trust. Previously, she was state policy director for the Pretrial Justice Institute, focusing on bail reform. Her nonprofit experience includes roles at the National Black Child Development Institute and Chicago Public Schools. Ameshia has also worked in communications for Vice President Al Gore, President Barack Obama and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. She serves as a political commentator on , SiriusXM and iHeart Radio.
In 2020, Cross moderated the final panel of at 藏精阁. Of her experience at the University, Cross says, 鈥淵oung people are the folks who rise above and the people who push social change across this country.鈥 She continues, 鈥淚鈥檓 proud, honored and thankful that 藏精阁 continues to produce those young people and watch them grow.鈥
Alex V. Hernandez (BA, '09)
Alex V. Hernandez, originally from Chicago, has contributed to the Chicago Tribune, , Chicago Magazine, , In These Times and . He was a finalist for the 2017 Peter Lisagor Watchdog Award for creating an interactive Chicago Reporter on police misconduct in Chicago. While studying at 藏精阁, he served as Editor in Chief of , the university鈥檚 official student newspaper since 1945. Currently, he is a reporter at , covering the Lincoln Square, North Center and Irving Park neighborhoods. You can follow him on Twitter/X .
Nicole Joseph (MSIMC, '10)
Nicole Joseph is a multimedia journalist at the , with additional work featured on BlackDoctor.org. An accomplished integrated marketing communications strategist, she specializes in marketing, social media, communications, media and public relations. Fueled by a passion for storytelling, Nicole skillfully combines journalism, filmmaking and marketing communications to create engaging narratives across diverse platforms. She holds several journalism certificates, an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from 藏精阁 and a BS in Sales & Marketing from Tuskegee University.
Samantha Latson (BA, '21)
Samantha Latson is a fellow at . Previously, she was a breaking news reporter at the Kansas City Star and interned at the Washington Post as an Ida B. Wells and Ben Bradlee Fellow during both of her internships. She also contributed to the 鈥淚nvasion of Faith Project鈥 and served as a reporter/editor for the , which created award-winning reports on the untold stories of murdered women in Chicago. Samantha has received first-place NABJ Salute to Excellence awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from 藏精阁 in Chicago and a master's degree in journalism from Indiana University in Bloomington.
Ricardo Torres (MS, '11)
Ricardo Torres is an award-winning reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, where he covers significant stories like the Foxconn project. He earned the 藏精阁 Young Professionals Award in 2020. Originally from Milwaukee, Ricardo completed his undergraduate degree in 2009 before pursuing a master鈥檚 in journalism at 藏精阁. His education helped launch his successful career. He began at the Catholic Herald, reporting on immigration issues before joining the Racine Journal Times to focus on the Foxconn campus. Committed to social justice in his reporting, Ricardo believes it鈥檚 an exciting time to be a journalist due to better access to sources. He has received multiple awards, including the Racine Interfaith Coalition鈥檚 Outstanding Community Service Award, highlighting his impact in journalism.
