Airing Their Talent
Recent graduates land on-air jobs with some of the region's largest television networks
Friday, March 28, 2014
Reporting live on-air for two of the region's largest television networks comes as second nature for recent graduates Jessica LeBlanc and Kati Morse, thanks to the education and experience they received at Southeastern. Their accomplishments are remarkable, however, considering it has been less than one year since they walked across the graduation stage.
A December 2013 graduate of Southeastern's communication program, LeBlanc was hired as a multimedia reporter for WBRZ-TV Channel 2, an ABC affiliate in Baton Rouge. She attributes her ability to land a job in such a competitive market upon graduation to her three years of experience at the Southeastern Channel – the university's educational cable television station – where she learned to write, edit, anchor and report. During her time at the Channel, LeBlanc was named Best College News Anchor in the South by the Southeast Journalism Conference and was nominated for a student Emmy Award.
"The stories that I report give me the opportunity to engage in the community and offer helpful information," said LeBlanc of her experience so far at WBRZ. After her recent story "Alleviating Allergies Without Popping Pills," LeBlanc received several comments from viewers that the story was helpful.
Morse, a May 2013 graduate of Southeastern's communication program and current organizational communication graduate student, adds her new role as sideline reporter for Cox Sports Television's college baseball broadcasts to a growing resume of industry achievements.
Southeastern graduate student Kati Morse reports live for Cox Sports Television
As a former student-athlete now reporting on college sports, Morse brings a fresh perspective to the job. She also gained valuable experience as a sports anchor and sideline reporter for the Southeastern Channel while completing her undergraduate degree and pitching for the Lady Lions softball team. The combination of these unique Southeastern experiences led her to apply for – and ultimately receive – the prestigious Jim McKay Scholarship from the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
So far, Morse has appeared as Cox Sports Television's sideline reporter for the recent Southeastern vs. LSU and Southern University vs. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball games. She will continue to work with the network throughout baseball season on a freelance basis while she completes graduate coursework and her role as graduate assistant for Southeastern's Sports Information office.
