University News

Alumna Returns to WIU Broadcasting as Instructor, News Director

September 12, 2019

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MACOMB, IL – The most award-winning student broadcaster in Western Illinois University history is back on campus this semester, but this time as an instructor and news director of the student television station.

Emily Manley, a 2017 broadcasting graduate, is teaching news production and multimedia news reporting classes and directing NEWS3. She will also serve as advisor for the broadcasting student organizations on campus.

Manley recently finished her master's degree in the University of Illinois-Springfield's Public Affairs Reporting program, where she interned at WICS Newschannel 20 in Springfield, IL, as a statehouse reporter. Since graduating from WIU, she has been a producer and assignment desk editor at KMOV-CBS television station in St. Louis, MO, and later as a reporter and fill-in anchor at WSIL-ABC in Carterville, IL.

"I was expecting to teach at some point in my career," said Manley. "I love reporting and I am looking forward to giving back to the department that gave me so much."

Manley said she has wanted to be a television news reporter in St. Louis since fourth grade. She said she had so many career-guiding experiences at WIU and she wants to give back to students studying broadcasting.

"At Western, I had the best college experience I could have asked for," she said. "This department literally made me better and it still has that family feel. I am so excited that I'm so fresh out of the business and can offer that close to the real-world experience to students, especially in social media and web writing."

William "Buzz" Hoon, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, said he is excited to have Manley join the staff and about the opportunities it provides students.

"Her qualifications include two important characteristics: knowledge about news production and a love of WIU," said Hoon. "When she was a student, Emily often spoke to potential students and families about why she selected the department over several other schools. As an undergraduate student, Emily helped establish the department as an award-winning program. I know our current students are also excited to have her teaching news production."

For more information about the WIU Department of Broadcasting and Journalism, visit wiu.edu/bcj.




Posted By: Jodi Pospeschil (JK-Pospeschil@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing