About Annenberg Radio News

Staff Bios

Emily Frost

Emily Frost is passionate about public radio; she plans to further develop her radio reporting and production skills, while integrating her past experiences in online media. Frost is interested in covering arts, culture and urban affairs through long-form audio documentaries and interactive web experiences.

Julia Deng

Julia Deng is a sophomore from New York double-majoring in Broadcast and Digital Journalism and Political Science. Initially on the print journalism track, she re-declared her major after spending last fall in South Africa, where she interned at Cape Town TV News and led the production of a package exploring the Hangberg eviction crisis. This past summer, Julia worked as a news intern at NBC Bay Area. Now in her second semester at Annenberg Radio News, Julia also reports for ATVN and is on the executive board of the USC Political Student Assembly as this year’s Media Director. When she is not in the Annenberg basement, Julia can be found baking gluten-free desserts and expanding her scrapbook of The New Yorker cartoons.

Billy Higgins

Think of Billy Higgins as the Goldsmith/Tom of Annenberg Radio News. If you have a question about Adobe Audition or the radio booth mixing console, Higgins is your man. In 2003, he graduated from the USC, where he majored in Cinema and minored in Music Recording. He received his master's degree in Communication Management in summer 2010. He has been a part of the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism's Multimedia Technologies team since the end of 2005. Outside of USC, Higgins has been a part-time freelance assistant editor, production assistant, and script supervisor in Hollywood. He has also been a student intern at Lucasfilm's Industrial Light + Magic in Marin County and at Illingworth & Rodkin Acoustics in his hometown of Petaluma, CA. In addition to Annenberg Radio News, Higgins helps support Annenberg TV News, Impact, the Digital Lab and other technical operations at the Annenberg school. He also does work for USC Recreational Sports as webmaster for the USC Song Girls, Spirit Leaders and Traveler. On top of that, he is trying to create a feature film. In his free time, he sleeps.

Rosalie Murphy

Rosalie Murphy is a sophomore studying Print and Digital Journalism and History at USC. She currently reports for ARN and writes Science & Tech stories for Neon Tommy and has interned at the Cleveland Museum of Art. An Akron, Ohio native and fan of Twitter, public transit, Springsteen and, of course, NPR, Murphy hopes to pursue a career in law, news journalism or web production.

Madeline Lindsay

Madeline Lindsay is a Junior Transfer. Last fall she was studying Shakespeare in London. Today she is learning how to report for the radio at USC. She enjoys the process of capturing and sharing stories through the complex process of communication. This is why she is majoring in Communication. Maddy looks forward to discovering much about herself, as well as the opportunities that lie ahead in in these times some would label a communication revolution.

Melissa Runnels

Melissa Runnels is a first-year graduate student at the Annenberg School of Communication & Journalism. She received her undergraduate degree in French & Art History from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. She has lived in the Netherlands and was a post-modern dancer in San Francisco for over a decade. She loves language and languages, movement, music, and people's stories. She hopes to use her journalism as a tool of civic engagement.

Aaron Schrank

Aaron is a first-year print journalism graduate student at Annenberg. In 2011, Aaron graduated from Pepperdine University, where he studied journalism and film. In addition to his work with campus media outlets, he's worked as a Patch.com freelancer and interned with Demand Media, Foxnews.com, and Independent Newspapers, Inc. Aaron is interested in U.S. politics, film history, indie music, world travel, food & drink and the people of Los Angeles.

Heather Ritchie

Heather Ritchie is a junior double majoring in Broadcast Journalism and Theatre. She is from a small town in the Midwest called Chesterfield, Missouri. Along with Annenberg Radio News, Heather is also involved with Annenberg Television News and Alpha Phi Sorority. Heather hopes to have a job in journalism or entertainment public relations when she graduates in May of 2013.

Lener Jimenez

Lener Jimenez, a Los Angeles native, received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Biola University in La Mirada, California. He is currently a second-year graduate student at the USC School of Social Work. In addition, to volunteering at ARN, he is a writer/illustrator for the Daily Trojan. Lener is driven by a need to help others and sharing and fighting for those that cannot fight for themselves; he is determine to make a difference and hopes to enter the political arena.

Benjamin Gottlieb

Benjamin Max Gottlieb is a multimedia journalist and photographer based in Los Angeles, California. His work has been featured in a variety of news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, CNN International, CNN's Business 360 blog, NBC Los Angeles, KCET.com and the Santa Barbara Independent, among others. He is currently enrolled as a graduate student at the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, pursuing an M.A. in Online Journalism, and serves as the Senior News Editor of NeonTommy.com -- a 24/7 online-only news publication. He is also the art director of InTheFray.com, an online magazine that explores global issues with personal perspectives and critical analysis. An avid backpacker and self-proclaimed troubadour, Benjamin is constantly exploring new ways to tell stories.

Willa Seidenberg

Willa Seidenberg was a broadcast journalist for more than 20 years before she came to the University of Southern California at the beginning of 2000. She entered as a faculty advisor for Annenberg TV News, USC's television news operation. She is now faculty advisor and director of Annenberg Radio News. Seidenberg started her news career as a public radio reporter, anchor and producer, with stints at WYSO-FM, WBUR-FM and WGBH-FM. She covered the landmark Woburn Toxic Waste Trial in Boston, and she contributed stories to National Public Radio. She began writing television news in 1987 at WBZ-TV in Boston, and she later moved to KCAL-TV in Los Angeles. She is the co-author of the oral history/photo project: A Matter of Conscience: GI Resistance During the Vietnam War (published in 1992), which she produced with photographer William Short. A Matter of Conscience continues to be exhibited nationally, along with Seidenberg and Short's second oral history/photo project called Memories of the American War: Stories From Viet Nam.

Esther Kang

Esther Kang is a fourth-year undergrad studying Print & Digital Journalism and Chinese. She spent last spring studying abroad in London and the following summer in Shanghai, where she wrote for the Shanghai Business Review and Shanghaiist. She loves the art of storytelling and is passionate about language, culture and cross-platform media. In the future, she wants to pursue documentary filmmaking and international reporting. And eventually, she'd like to find herself back in Shanghai again.

Conrad Wilton

Conrad Wilton is a junior at USC's Annenberg School for Communication majoring in broadcast journalism. He is the host of "Conrad's Corner," USC's only news radio talk show and is also a feature writer for the Daily Trojan. In both broadcast and print, Conrad covers standout students and emerging student groups and organizations. He has hosted interviews with Christina Wilkerson - the West 37th Place Hero and Danielle McLaughlin - the 2011 World Paratriathlete Champion. Conrad has also interviewed Dr. Arthur Bartner of the Trojan Marching Band, Elizabeth Jordan from the "Be the Match" National Marrow Registry and Judith Chapman from the CBS soap opera "The Young and the Restless." Conrad also produces and hosts a daily television talk show called the "Daily SCene" on Trojan Vision that airs every weekday morning from 10:30-11.

Josh Woo

Josh Woo is a junior broadcast and digital journalism major originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition to reporting for ARN, Josh is host of CU@USC, Trojan Vision's live talk show, on Wednesday nights. He also once hosted Mind Games, Trojan Vision's live game show. A two-time game show contestant himself (he has appeared on both Jeopardy! and The Price is Right), Josh enjoys putting his voice behind the latest news in the Los Angeles area. While he would love to be an anchor or reporter, his dream job is to be the next host of Jeopardy!.

Logan Heley

Logan is a freshman majoring in Broadcast and Digital Journalism and History. In addition to Annenberg Radio, Logan is active in USC's Sigma Nu Fraternity and Undergraduate Student Government. He is also helping spearhead a new college counseling program for local high schoolers as part of the Emerging Leaders Program. When he's not in the radio booth, you may see him from time to time working at the Annenberg Digital Lab front desk.

Andria Kowalchik

Andria is a junior broadcast and digital journalism major with a minor in screenwriting. She has previously worked as a multimedia journalist at ATVN and a staff writer at Neon Tommy within the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism. She loves all forms of storytelling whether it is in her broadcast packages or screenplays. In her spare time, Andria enjoys reading, ice-skating, watching the New York Yankees and Trojan Football, and a nice glass of red wine.

Jake O'Brien

Jake O'Brien is currently in his first semester working on Annenberg Radio News. He is a junior majoring in Broadcast and Digital Journalism and minoring in Theater. Previously, he worked as a multimedia journalist for Annenberg TV News. His other journalism experience includes working as a correspondent for USC's number 1 entertainment show, The SCoop, which is part of the Trojan Vision network. Outside of journalism, O'Brien works in the Office of Admission as an Admissions Intern.

Devin Altschul

Devin Altschul is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism from Las Vegas, NV. With a passion for sports and fashion she hopes to either be a sports broadcaster or go into fashion journalism. She recently finished her internship at CBS with Entertainment Tonight and The Insider, and hopes to be off in New York this summer getting her foot in the door in the fashion world.

Lucas Alexander

Ever since I can remember, literally since I had the capability of memory, I had a plan for my life. I was going to attend USC, and eventually become an anchor on ESPN's Sportscenter. I have also bled Cardinal and Gold my whole life. My father graduated from USC, and he passed that Trojan blood right down to me. Along with the "Fight On!" spirit, my dad also passed along a burning passion for sports. It is nearly impossible to explain, but from a very early age, I knew that sport had to be a part of my life permanently. I have loved furthering my passion while at USC and look forward to continue doing so.

Sean Patrick Lewis

Sean Patrick Lewis is currently a junior at the University of Southern California, majoring in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Business Entrepreneurship. 'SPL' as he is known around the station has a love for finding just the right story and using the best sound to make the story shine. When Sean Patrick isn't working for Annenberg Radio News, you can often find him in various television studios around campus anchoring the news, or hosting a lively debate and entertainment shows on Trojan Vision. If you like hearing him on the radio, make sure to check out his website at SPLreports.com for all his latest USC radio and TV work.

Kenneth Pickens

I'm a senior majoring in broadcast journalism at Annenberg. I grew up in Long Beach, CA, and have always been interested in news. I love following entertainment news, especially anything with an emphasis on the music industry. When I graduate, I'd like to work for any entertainment news outlet on the west or east coast (preferably behind the scenes). During my free-time, I roam around LA looking for random food places to try. I'm always on the go!

Jacqueline Grant

Jacqueline Grant is a senior majoring in Broadcast Journalism and minoring in Children and Families in Urban America. Jacqueline is an active member in campus organizations such as the USC Helenes and Spirits in Action. In addition to her campus involvement, Jacqueline's interned at LinkTV, Lakers Nation, and holds a part-time job at Freebirds. She hopes to use her journalism as a tool to shed light on human rights issues around the world.

Evan Budrovich

Evan Budrovich is a freshman studying Broadcast Journalism. His academic interests include, politics, sports, media studies and learning about racial struggle in the 19th century. For fun, he enjoys playing ping pong, reading articles about sports, playing some Texas Hold'em and Football on Xbox. His journalism experience is novice but he plans on working hard and seeing where the chips fall. He also loves commentating on situations and putting his voice and opinion into conversations.

Veronica Villafane

Veronica Villafane is a Master's in Specialized Journalism grad student, focusing on entrepreneurial journalism. She is also currently the Managing Editor of Intersections South LA, a USC community news website. Prior to going back to school to get her master's, she worked for many years as an on-air reporter for Univision, Telemundo, CNN en Espanol, KTTV-11 and KCOP-13 in Los Angeles.

Jessica Koslow

Jessica Koslow is part of the Specialized Journalism (The Arts) master's program at Annenberg. Her main interest is street dance, specifically krump. Before USC, she was the editor of Campus Circle for four years and has been a writer/editor since 1995.

Nick Edmonds

Nick Edmonds is a third-year Broadcast and Digital Journalism major pursuing a minor in Sports Media Studies. Originally from Chicago, Nick grew up loving all things sports and hopes to carry his passion into his work as a broadcast journalist. This is Nick's first year with ARN and he enjoys getting to work with so many great young journalists. Nick also works for ATVN as a Sports Department volunteer. In his free time, Nick is the play-by-play broadcaster for the USC Men's Ice Hockey team. Nick is looking forward to a great year at ARN and can't wait to learn more about the exciting world of radio news. You can follow him on Twitter @NickEdmondsUSC

Natasha Zouves

Natasha Zouves is a Los Angeles-based journalist with a passion for health news and feature writing. Zouves has had the privilege of working for the United Nations as well as interning for KABC, KNBC and KCBS. She has worked in broadcast and print journalism, and currently anchors and reports for ATVN and reports for ARN. She is an award-winning journalist. Zouves won a Hearst Award in the TV Feature category in 2011 and another Hearst Award in print Enterprise Reporting in 2012. She is graduating from USC's Annenberg School of Journalism in the Spring of 2012 with a double major in Broadcast Journalism and Public Health, and is pursuing a progressive Masters in Public Health. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Zouves has made L.A. her new home. She hopes to one day become a reporter on a national or international level.

Kira Brekke

Kira Brekke is a junior majoring in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Human Rights from Los Angeles, California. While she has worked for the Daily Trojan and ATVN, her passion is documentary filmmaking and investigative reporting. She is currently interning for a production company, Chain Camera Pictures, and hopes to dedicate her life to revealing issues of injustice and human rights.

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