Where Are They Now?

From time to time, we check in with past Gracies student winners, AWM Foundation Scholarship recipients, and alum from the AWM Connects mentorship program. Below are just a few of the women who have reached success and furthered their media career and education.

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Maritza Cruz – 2020 Ford Empowering Scholarship Recipient

“Thanks to the generosity of the Alliance for Women in Media, I was able to attend the top film school in the country where I wrote and directed my debut short film, Made in America, which helped me break into the film industry on a scale I never would have been able to on my own. AWM uplifts women’s stories and helps make dreams of higher education a reality, and for that I will be forever grateful.”

-Maritza Cruz
Freelance Film Director and Production Designer

Omose Ighodaro, 2021 AWM Foundation and Ford Empowering America Scholarship Recipient

“As a former scholarship recipient, AWM helped me attend Columbia University for my master’s in Journalism degree, a dream turned reality.“

“Since then, being a part of the AWM family, I’ve met several legendary women in media who continue to inspire me today. I even had the honor of serving as a presenter at the 46th Annual Gracie Awards. Having a supportive community in any field is very essential and I’m grateful to have that with AWM. Thank you for the support and look forward to paying it forward.”

-Omose Ighodaro
MMJ/TV Reporter
WSLS News (NBC Affiliate)
Entrepreneur at AfroVibes Media

Marissa Kraus, 2023 AWM Foundation and ESPN Scholarship Recipient

“Receiving an AWMF scholarship impacted my career path for multiple reasons. The scholarship helped me finish out my college career without financial stress, but more than that, it allowed me to connect with other inspiring female journalists and media professionals from around the country. I am grateful to be a part of the AWM community.”

-Marissa Kraus
Sports Reporter
Colorado Springs Gazette

Helena Arjona, 2024 AWM Foundation and NCTA – The Internet and Television Association Scholarship Recipient

“AWM has provided me with so many professional opportunities that I’m sure I wouldn’t have gained without their support.

“AWM not only gave me the opportunity to network with real industry professionals but also supported me in pursuing one of the biggest projects I have tackled while still attending school. As I enter into the media industry, I am grateful that I have a supportive group of people rooting for me and I feel more confident than ever in my abilities as a creative!“

-Helena Arjona
Currently pursuing M.A. in Communication
University of Kentucky

Carsen Smith, 2022 AWM Foundation and NCTA – The Internet and Television Association Scholarship Recipient

“Living in NYC is expensive no matter what, but add tuition and out-of-pocket production costs as a filmmaker, and you’re looking at an uphill climb. The AWMF/NCTA Scholarship allowed me to finish my thesis film and graduate on time!”

-Carsen Smith
NBCUniversal’s Late Night with Seth Meyers and HBO’s Last Week with John Oliver
(photo credit Lloyd Bishop, NBCUniversal)

Connie Ho, 2019 AWM Foundation and NCTA – The Internet and Television Assocation Scholarship Recipient

“I am grateful to be a past recipient of the AWM Foundation/NCTA Scholarship as the support and investment paved the way for my academic and professional pursuits. This scholarship opportunity allowed me to obtain my master’s degree at California State University, Long Beach, and offered me the chance to continue supporting the community through various initiatives on campus and in the communications industry.”

-Connie Ho
City of Napa, Government Finance Officers Association/Engaging Local Government Leaders, and the US Forest Service

AWM Connects Alum Alex Razo and Lindsay Guentzel

In the September 2022 issue of “A Minute with Membership,” the AWM members-only newsletter, we hear from two of the 2021 AWM Connects mentees about their experience with the inaugural mentorship program. We learn what they are doing now and the advice they would give to future AWM connects participants.

AWM Connects Spotlight

Omose Ighodaro, 2021 Ford Empowering America/AWMF Scholarship Recipient

My dream to attend Columbia University’s Journalism school was achieved, thanks to the generous educational scholarships offered by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF).

Since being named the 2021 recipient of the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation & Ford Empowering America Scholarship, my dream is becoming a reality. Last month, I graduated from Columbia University, grew my platform AfroVibes.com, an online platform spotlighting African leaders and connecting the African diaspora to new levels, and will begin a new position at Bloomberg News this fall.

As a young Nigerian-American, the AWMF scholarship supported me and gave me confidence during a time where I hesitated to believe in myself. I’m grateful to have been introduced to many amazing leaders in media through AWMF as well.

I want to personally thank you for your generosity and vote of confidence. Without scholarship patrons willing to support women in media, students like myself would not be able to pursue advanced degrees that in turn, help to further propel diversity within the media community.

This week, I had the opportunity to attend the 47th annual Gracie’s Award Luncheon in New York which gave me much hope and inspiration. I saw several talented, diverse, award winners which reemphasized the possibilities for a recent graduate like myself.

So, thank you – I’m one step closer being a future media mogul. Stay tuned!

Cassandra Hsiao, 2016 Student Radio Online Video Host Or Correspondent Gracie Award Winner

An interview with the youngest recipient of a Gracie Award, Cassandra Hsiao, conducted and produced by Hannah Seewald, a student at Temple University.

Allie Volpe, 2014 Student Radio Special or Variety Gracie Award Winner

An interview with Allie Volpe, a journalist and past Gracie-winner, conducted and produced by Hannah Seewald, a student at Temple University.

Murugi Thand, 2018 Student Online Producer Gracie Award Winner

An interview with Murugi Thand, a journalist and past Gracie-winner, conducted and produced by Hannah Seewald, a student at Temple University.

Sokhna Fall, 2019 Ford “Empowering America” Scholarship Recipient

It was an honor to be selected as the Ford “Empowering America” Scholarship Runner-up. Last year, I was a determined high school senior who sought to attend Howard University. However, finances and proximity to home was a concern for my family. This scholarship was a generous and meaningful contribution to my ability to pursue a higher education at an illustrious out-of-state institution. As a Muslim African-American young woman who is considering a career in media, a field that far too often lacks in diversity, it is easy to feel unappreciated and unworthy. My experiences after completing my first year at the “Mecca” have taught me a level of resilience and persistence that I will never forget and surely apply in future career endeavors. I thank everyone at the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation that helped kickstart my journey towards success.

—Sokhna Fall

Senegalese-American

Rising Sophomore, Howard University

Tracey Quezada, 2019 Ford “Empowering America” Scholarship Recipient

As a woman of color and the first one to go to college in my family, for my bachelors degree and now my masters, I needed that green light. Something that told me to accept the offer from UC Berkeley graduate school of journalism. I was on the fence about accepting their offer and when I received a scholarship from Alliance for Women in Media that was my answer– my green light. Recently, I received a scholarship from The American Association of University Women.

I still have one more year to complete my masters degree. Over the past 9 months I’ve been working hard on my documentary film. Below is the teaser and selects of the film in progress. My multimedia project follows Aqueila Lewis, an aspiring poet living in Oakland California who is passionately pursuing her dreams while running from a dark past buried deep in her psyche. We follow her as she uncovers the generational cycle of child sexual abuse within her family and works to heal. The film will also feature a social impact campaign focused on women of color who have experienced child sexual abuse. These past 2 months I’ve dedicated to submitting grant applications to fund this film.

— Tracey Quezada
Filmmaker | Editor | Journalist

www.traceyquezadaproductions.com

Tiaras Polite, 2018 Ford “Empowering America” Scholarship Recipient

I am still at Georgia State University majoring in Sports Administration. I am graduating May 2021, a year early. Life just took off once I came from Atlanta. I’ve worked the Super Bowl festivities, as well as the Atlanta Hawks and College Park Skyhawks. I was just hired with the Atlanta Braves before COVID-19 occurred. I also worked with the NFL Honors and was also supposed to work the 2020 Espys before COVID-19 as well. Right now, I am just trying to connect with more industry professionals and network, network, network! I am trying to secure a job once I graduate in May. 

— Tiaras Polite

Rising Senior, Georgia State University