Profiles in Success  Submit a Profile In-depth looks at life after J-School. Class Notes  Submit a Class Note Shorter updates and recent alumni photos. Sort by Decade Sort by Name/Emphasis Show All 2000-Present 1990-1999 1980-1989 1970-1979 1960-1969 1950-1959 1940-1949 1930-1939 1920-1929 Show All: List by Last Name Graduate Degree Magazine Newspaper Photojournalism Radio-Television Strategic Communication Sort by Decade More Alumni Resources 2000-Present 1990-1999 1980-1989 1970-1979 1960-1969 1950-1959 1940-1949 1930-1939 1920-1929 @mizzou For All We Call Mizzou Mizzou Alumni Association MizzouNet

What was your first job? How did you get that job?
My first paying broadcasting job was while I was still a student. Pat Akers and Darren Hellewege at KBIA helped me get an announcing job at News-Talk KFRU in Columbia. That very quickly turned into a job co-hosting KFRU's morning drive program every day while I was a junior and senior. When I graduated, the owners of KFRU offered me a job at their newest news-talk station, KWHN in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

What advantages did a Missouri journalism degree give you?
I learned so many skills that I use every day such as the writing skills, the speaking confidence, the on-air experience, the research skills, and persistence to keep pushing until you find the answer. It also has been a great door opener. The Missouri Mafia is alive and well.

What is the most interesting thing you've done since graduation?
I have loved my two main careers: hosting talk radio programs and working for a congressional office. Probably the one I will tell my children about was working for one of the House Managers during President Clinton's impeachment. I worked for Asa Hutchinson while he was in Congress, and those months were the most dramatic and memorable of my congressional career. As a talk radio host, it was having Ross Perot as my guest for an entire hour. He was just announcing his campaign for President with the Reform Party and it was a fascinating moment in history.

What advice would you give to current journalism students?
Keep your competitive nature in check. I remember how tough we all were on each other, and hope current students will take advantage of the friendships that come from adversity. The folks surrounding you are not just your future competition, they are also the comrades who may want to offer you a job some day.

What do you do with your free time?
I have a husband and a son who take most of my extra time. I also do volunteer work for the Girl Scouts and sing with the Fort Smith Chorale.

What is the hardest part about your job?
Being patient with people. I talk to a lot of people who are at the end of their rope when they call the Congressman. Unlike in talk radio, I have to be nice to everyone who calls me now.

What, if anything, do you miss about Columbia or MU?
Everything. It is such a beautiful place with wonderful memories for me. If I were to visit someday soon, I would definitely go to Rock Bridge Park and Shakespeare's.

What is your current job? What do you love about it?
I am the Constituent Service Coordinator for U.S. Congressman John Boozman. The best thing is that I make a difference in people's lives every day. As a news reporter, I did a lot of stories to try to help people. But, at the end of the day, all I could do was tell the story and hope that someone else would step in and help. Now, I am that person. I can cut through red tape, call special phone numbers, and make things happen. It is a wonderful blessing and a big responsibility. However, like most broadcast junkies, I miss being on-the-air. So, you can expect to hear about my return to broadcasting in the future.