Outstanding graduates reflect on growth, leadership and finding their voices at JMS

As graduation approaches, the School of Journalism and Media Studies at SDSU is recognizing a group of outstanding graduates whose college experiences were defined not only by academic excellence, but by resilience, leadership and a commitment to meaningful storytelling.

From broadcast journalism and public relations to graduate research and instructional design, this year’s honorees shared a common theme: growth often came through moments of uncertainty, challenge and stepping outside their comfort zones.

For graduating senior Madison Wolden, one of the biggest lessons came from balancing the demands of the JMS program while striving to produce professional-level work.

“I learned how important adaptability, communication and time management truly is,” Wolden said.

Wolden credited JMS 585, Professional Practices in Public Relations with Dr. Sweetser, as one of the most transformative experiences of her college career. Through the course’s capstone campaign for Wildlife Madagascar, she discovered confidence in her ability to make an impact beyond the classroom.

“It showed me that I am capable of contributing meaningful work that can make a real impact,” she said.

For Calista Stocker, adaptability became essential when interviews fell through during deadline-driven journalism assignments.

“There have been many times throughout the JMS program where my grade has relied on completing interviews for a story assignment, and I’ve gotten ghosted,” Stocker said. “In journalism and in life, it’s so important to maintain personal and professional connections.”

Stocker said JMS 445, Television News Reporting and Producing with Louis Weiner, completely changed her career path. Initially focused on print journalism, she discovered a passion for broadcast reporting through the course and is now preparing to begin a career in television news.

Outside the classroom, Stocker said becoming editor-in-chief of The Daily Aztec became her proudest accomplishment.

“Becoming editor-in-chief after never being an editor before taught me so much so quickly about leadership, newsroom operations, organization and team building,” she said.

Graduate student Maria Jose Duran Gallego faced a different type of challenge: adapting to graduate school in the United States while balancing motherhood, freelancing and research.

“I learned that with enough caffeine I can do almost anything,” Duran Gallego said with humor. 

Originally from Spain, Duran Gallego said her thesis project with Cueva Chacón became one of the most transformative experiences of her academic career. Through interviews with journalists across the country, coding research data and developing a large-scale independent project, she deepened her understanding of journalism’s responsibilities.

Still, she said her proudest accomplishment was earning her master’s degree while raising two young children.

“To me, as a 38-year-old career journalist coming back to school, it means that regardless of where you are in life, education is an investment in yourself and it’s always worth it,” she said.

For Lindsey Brintwood, the biggest challenge was overcoming self-doubt and trusting herself in pursuing broadcast journalism.

She credited professors David Coddon and Amy Schmitz Weiss with helping shape her confidence as a journalist through courses including Media Writing and Reporting, Digital Journalism and Magazine and Feature Writing.

Brintwood also highlighted her internship with JMS and her role with the Prep Pigskin Report as defining experiences. One of her proudest achievements was creating a video for JMS during New Student Orientation that amassed more than one million views online.

“I remained true to myself while getting involved in JMS, The Daily Aztec, PPR and organizations such as SDSU Ambassadors,” she said. “Through those experiences, I learned resilience, the value of hard work and dedication.”

For graduate student Christine Apostol, leadership and empathy became central themes throughout her experience in the Learning Design and Technology program.

Apostol said one of her most challenging experiences came during her capstone course, where structural difficulties pushed her into a leadership role.

“I learned that leadership is not about carrying everything alone,” Apostol said. “It requires support.”

She said instructor Dan McDowell had a profound impact on how she thinks about communication and learning design through his empathetic approach to teaching.

“That experience shaped the kind of work I want to do,” Apostol said. “I want to create environments where people feel respected and supported, where they can grow with confidence.”

Apostol balanced full-time work while completing her graduate studies, an accomplishment she said was motivated by the support and encouragement of her coworkers and mentors.

Across every story, the graduates emphasized the importance of involvement, relationships and taking risks.

“Say yes to everything, even when they feel intimidating,” Wolden advised incoming students.

“Get involved!!” Stocker echoed. “Campus organizations provide amazing networking opportunities.”

Brintwood encouraged students to stay connected to their purpose and “push yourself outside your comfort zone,” while Apostol urged future graduates to approach their work with empathy and intention.

Together, this year’s outstanding graduates represent the evolving future of journalism and communication, one rooted not only in technical skill, but in compassion, resilience and a willingness to grow through every challenge.