Getting The Story

Getting the Story

Future reporter Areli Bautista '12 can get her story in English and in Spanish. The communication studies and psychology major says that her favorite class was introduction to communication with Professor Terri Russ. “I had a great experience throughout this course. The assignments that Dr. Russ gave throughout the semester made the class very interesting,” explains Areli. “I had the opportunity to interview a famous Hispanic reporter from Univision, a Spanish-speaking [television] channel. It was a great opportunity because I gained knowledge of what a reporter’s career consists of.”

Areli says the best part of being a Saint Mary’s student is the one-on-one relationships she can develop with professors, and Professor Russ is just one example. “Dr. Russ is a great professor, not only in the classroom but also outside the classroom. I have met with her during her office hours and she always made sure that I understood the material correctly, and if I had a problem, she always made sure to make it clear.

During the summer Areli volunteered at local nursing homes near her hometown, Warsaw, Ind. On campus, she stays busy with the Student Diversity Board (SDB) and last year she was the chair for the SDB-sponsored Disabilities Awareness Week.  This fall she’ll be the chair for the Journalistic Relations committee of SDB, and the treasurer for the student club, La Fuerza. Areli is also involved with Campus Ministry.

Even with all that she does, Areli stays focused on her future career goal of working in the media, either as a news anchor or a reporter. “I hope that I can use my first language, Spanish, and do something great in the media!”