Society of Professional Journalists Speaker Series

Prof Curran with Spectrum News Journalists

The LMU chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists welcomed three staff members of the Spectrum News 1 Southern California news team to campus as parts of its speaker series on Wednesday, November 30. Faculty adviser and Journalism faculty member Kevin Curran, Ph.D. facilitated the discussion.

Anchor/reporter Kate Cagle, who had been on the air at 5:00 that morning, told students about the importance of developing sources and staying with a good story. Her most recent stories have included the recording scandal at the Los Angeles City Council and the transition in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Executive Producer Diana Romo explained the vital roles of off-camera staff. This included researching ideas, locating guests, and ensuring big stories get properly covered. She helped produce the Los Angeles mayoral debate held on the LMU campus and carried by Spectrum earlier this year. Diana and Kate were sent to Uvalde, TX to cover the school shooting for Spectrum newsrooms across the country.

Digital Executive Producer Erisa Nakano explained how newsrooms have evolved beyond television into websites and apps and now meet the audience wherever the audience can be found.

They also discussed their career paths and answered student questions about making a good impression and landing their first job.

LMU hosted an SPJ regional conference in August that brought 150 professionals and students to campus. LMU's student newspaper, the Loyolan, received an SPJ Mark of Excellence award at the conference.