Staff

Aaron Schaffer is a journalist who writes about the Friendship Heights and Tenleytown neighborhoods for The Wash. He has written extensively about foreign lobbying and influence in Washington.

Alex Ellerbeck is a graduate student in journalism at American University. She covers the neighborhoods of Bloomingdale and NOMA for The Wash.

Alex Lucas is a candidate on the broadcast journalism track in the American University School of Communication Journalism and Public Affairs Masters Degree program. He has a passion for news beat reporting in Arlington, Virginia. He is a native of Washington DC, currently residing in Gainesville Virginia.

I'm a Broadcast Journalism Graduate student at American University. My background is in organization and producing audio stories across several different groups. I've worked on a home school paper and YouTube and Podcasting networks.

Hola!
My name is Alyssa Royster, and I am a graduate broadcast journalism student at American University in Washington, D.C.. I’m excited to be in graduate school because it means getting that much closer to achieving my dream of one day being an anchor on Good Morning America or NBC News. I aspire to be the next Katie Couric and Hoda Kotb. A little bit about me is that I spent a year abroad in Argentina where I became fluent in Spanish, I’m bubbly, and love to hear and tell people’s stories.

Ana Álvarez is a Puerto Rican graduate student pursuing a degree in Journalism and Public Affairs with a specialization in investigative journalism. She covers the NoMa community for The Wash.

I’m an investigative journalism fellow at the Investigative Reporting Workshop in Washington, D.C.

My work has concentrated on rural Kentucky communities, told stories about presidents and followed coal ash contaminants in municipal water systems.

I’m a graduate journalism student at American University where I participate in The Washington Post practicum team. I also serve as president of AU’s School of Communication Graduate Student Council.

In my past adventures, I was a city government newspaper reporter, NPR intern and, once, the mascot for a local radio station; everyone starts somewhere.

Aseasoned Multimedia Journalist and Digital, Social Media Producer with many years of experience in Television and Radio production, Digital Media, Broadcast Journalism, Online and Social Media. My experience in TV production, digital journalism and specifically, extensive work in social media and online technologies for many years, where I expanded and developed various platforms. I am highly aware of the current day trends and demands of an effective online social media outcome.

Braeden Waddell is a senior studying journalism and Spanish.

Los Angeles native who is passionate about writing and radio.

Fun fact: I speak Farsi & Armenian fluently.

Chris Casey is an investigative journalist and Journalism and Public Affairs masters student at American University. He is currently partaking in the Practicum at The Washington Post.

Currently an American University graduate journalist in the journalism + digital storytelling program documenting what stops me in my tracks.

Writer. Content Curator. Storyteller.

I am coming to you from the southern roots of South Carolina! I am covering beats in Woodley Park & Adams Morgan. As a journalist, I strive to illustrate each story to its fullest.

Courtney CJ Jacobs is a Student Reporter at American University, studying Journalism and Public Affairs for his Master's Degree.

(he/him/his)
25 yr old broadcast journalism grad student at AU.
Bartending and baking enthusiast.
Cat dad.

Elise Dean is a journalism masters student at American University. Her work covers Shaw, U Street and Logan Circle.

She also hosts a female-empowerment podcast called She+ that shares the extraordinary stories of everyday women.

I’m a graduate student in international journalism and public affairs at American University, focusing on immigration and emigration in Europe, as well as climate change.

I’m currently working as a Washington, D.C., correspondent for the publication i-Italy, investigating news such as the growth of Italian language programs in the United States.

I also report on energy sustainability for the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, including a unique partnership between the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and local businesses.

My name is Ikechukwu Mbagwu, a Graduate Broadcast Journalism Student at American University. As well as, a long-time Jallof Rice enthusiast! Now let's get excited!

Jacob Wallace is a Master's Candidate of Journalism & Public Affairs at American University. He is currently a Digital Intern at NBC Washington and student in Practicum at the Washington Post.

Journalist, Mountaineer, Veteran
I'm a journalist based out of Washington, D.C. and an avid rock climber, mountaineer, and cyclist. After I earned my bachelor's in Philosophy from the United States Military Academy in 2013, I spent eight years in the Army. Now I want to bring the experiences of outdoor and mountain sports here in the United States to a larger audience, helping to educate and engage the public not only about the sports but the greater environmental conservation necessary to sustain them.

I am a multimedia journalist based in Washington, D.C., with a passion for innovative methods such as infographics and design. I am pursuing my Master's degree at American University in journalism and public affairs.

Keith Newell is a graduate student at American University, studying investigative journalism. He is based in McLean, Va.

Kimberly Cataudella (she/her) is covering Shaw and U Street for The Wash while completing her master's degree in investigative journalism at American University.

Kristen Johnson is a journalism graduate student at American University.

Lauren Lumpkin is a student journalist pursuing a master's degree at American University. She covers Anacostia and other communities in Southeast Washington for The Wash.

AU Broadcast Graduate Student.

Lola Fadulu covers health in Southeast Washington for The Wash.

I'm a journalist at American University. I enjoy covering stories that deal with education and crime.

Masters student at American University. Journalist and storyteller. Notorious Wi-Fi Ganondorf.

I’m a graduate journalism student at American University in Washington, D.C., who is passionate about culture and social justice.

In the past I was an editorial intern at Louisville Magazine where I covered local cuisine, like Kentucky-fried quail. During my undergrad I worked on a project that reported on the aftermath of urban planning in Louisville, Kentucky.

Maya Smith is a journalist interested in finding answers to questions about race, mental health, and equity. She covers Georgetown for The Wash.

Molly Feser is a journalism graduate student at American University. Her work covers Foggy Bottom and West End.

My goal as a journalist is to inform, inspire, and entertain! I am a Macon, Ga native excited to be covering one of D.C.'s largest neighborhoods, Petworth.

I’m a graduate student studying investigative reporting at American University, where I report local news. I’m also a volunteer for The Eagle, American University’s student newspaper, where I’ve covered the Capital Pride Parade. In the past, I was a reporter and online editor for my college newspaper The Tower, where I produced content about education, social issues and college culture.

Riddhi Setty is a journalism major at American University and an aspiring investigative journalist. She is interested in covering issues that impact local communities.

Sarah Salem is on the international track in the Journalism and Public Affairs program. She is a 2019 graduate of William and Mary with a bachelor's in Economics and Russian & Post-Soviet Studies. She spent the past year working as an analyst for a defense contractor, where she analyzed and compiled news articles and social media mentions in Russian and in English for clients. In her free time, she likes to read about economics and the Israel-Palestine conflict, listen to or arrange music, or watch reality tv.

Sarah is an investigative journalism graduate student at American University with an interest in politics and global affairs. She is the Columbia Heights beat reporter for this publication. When she's not out exploring DC neighborhoods for stories, Sarah enjoys traveling, a good book and a strong drink (coffee or otherwise).

Graduate journalism student at American University

Shant Mirzaians is an investigative journalist interested in government affairs and local activism. He is currently on the West Coast and acting as the Wash's Los Angeles Bureau correspondent.

I’m a graduate broadcast student at American University covering social justice issues. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in English from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where I was Co-Editor-in-Chief of the campus literary journal, Brushing, a regular contributor to the award-winning magazine The Independent and a staff writer for the school paper, The Sandspur. Also, I’m a professional comic book grader.

Taylor Ardrey is a graduate student and multimedia journalist at American University. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Media, Journalism & Film from Howard University. She is currently a practicum student at The Washington Post and serves as the graduate ambassador for AU's School of Communications. Catch her covering local stories in the District with 5in. heels.

Tobi Raji is a graduate journalism student interested in international politics and the welfare of immigrants, migrants and refugees. She covers Capitol Hill for The Wash and is a part of The Washington Post practicum team.

She is also an AmeriCorps and Rutgers University alumna.

With my B.A. in Communication and current pursuing M.A. in Journalism & Digital Storytelling, I have a passion for finding innovative ways to tell stories across digital platforms.

Verónica Del Valle is a multimedia journalist, interested in questions of power, equity, and government. She covers Crystal City, Potomac Yard, and Arlandria for The Wash and loves a good crossword puzzle, but usually gives up halfway through.

I’m a DC-based Kuwaiti journalist working on a graduate degree in international journalism at American University. Politics and culture by day, insomnia and fiction by night.

Zeina is a graduate student in AU's Investigative Journalism program with an interest in reporting on race and immigration. A DMV native with a love for the city's Black history, she covers Shaw/U Street and Silver Spring.

Zoë Watkins is a journalist interested in immigration, foreign policy, climate change, and culture. She currently covers Columbia Heights for The Wash. When Zoë isn't writing, she's watching international dramas or studying languages on Duolingo.