Q&A: Julia Terruso ’11, National Political Reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer

As a national political reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Julia Terruso ’11 spent most of the past year covering the presidential election campaign—a rewarding but demanding endeavor given Pennsylvania’s status as a battleground state.  

“This was the busiest, craziest election cycle—and just year— I’ve ever had as reporter. It was a privilege to have a front seat to history, and to have my state be so central to everything,” said Terruso, a graduate of the journalism program. “But it was so exhausting.” 

One of about seven reporters on the politics team in 2024, Terruso said she and her colleagues traveled to close to 70 cities or towns around Pennsylvania in the last six months alone before the November election.  

“National attention is always good, because it pushes especially regional papers like the Inquirer to step their game up even more … we don’t want to be outperformed on our home turf,” she said. “And I’m really proud of the work we did.”  

Part of the Inquirer team that also won the Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting, Terruso returns to Newhouse on Tuesday to join other 2024 Toner Prize winners at the annual Toner Lecture at Hergenhan Auditorium. Here, she answers questions about the award-winning work and her career path after Newhouse.

Tell us more about the series that won a Toner Prize. 

Before the presidential election consumed my life, there was a very important election in Philadelphia, which was to elect the 100th mayor of the city. Huge credit to our City Hall bureau, which was part of that election coverage. We really wanted to cover the election from all angles. One angle was that in 100 mayors, Philadelphia had never elected a woman. 

So, there were a number of women who ran and really exploring why that was, who these women are and the issues that were most important to voters. We actually did a poll with a nonprofit that was just asking Philadelphians what issues mattered the most to them. And I think in election coverage, you often see the horse race, and we did a lot of that too, but the issue coverage, I think, was really key, because we were able to identify [that] crime was a big issue for a lot of voters, quality of life, and then you saw kind of how the candidates campaigned in Philadelphia.  

Is there a particular class or professor that influenced you at Newhouse? 

Despite my current job, when I was in college, I had no interest in politics. I found it kind of dull. … But in (a political reporting class with Charlotte Grimes, professor emerita of journalism), she really stressed how everything coincides with politics. How you can write a sports story that deals with politics, you can write a food story that deals with politics— everything is entwined in it, and I think that got me more interested in political reporting and thinking about political reporting a little differently.  

I loved my whole experience, and, you know, really credit it with my career. 

Do you have any advice that you can share with students who want to cover politics? 

Experience is key, wherever you can get it …  I work for a very traditional publication that has internships, but there are a lot of other places where, you can go and intern, whether it’s on Capitol Hill in D.C. or state capital reporting. And if there are specific topics that you’re interested in, becoming a bit of an expert (on those topics) is always a good and  smart thing to do. 

Any last tips you’d like to share with Newhouse students? 

Enjoy and soak up as much as you can out of the experience that you have on campus. … For me, it was only four years, but I still am such good friends with so many people from Syracuse. Those memories are just so vivid and in my mind, so enjoy and work hard. 

2024 Student Entrepreneur Impact Prize Winners

Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) announced the winners of the 2024 Impact Prize competition for social entrepreneurship, held on Nov. 13 at Bird Library.

Student teams pitched their respective social impact ventures for a chance to win a total of $15,000 in prizes, supported by generous donations from Libraries’ donors. This year’s winners are:

• 1^st Place: $6,000 awarded to Elizabeth Paulin ’24 (College of Arts and Sciences) of Paulin Capital.
• 2^nd place: $4,500 awarded to Jordan Pierre ’23, G’24 (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications), founder of Voice.
• 3^rd place: $3,000 awarded to Olutosin Alabi G’25 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of Diabetech.
• Runner-Ups: $500 each awarded to Ava Lubkemann ’27 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), founder of ReVamped; Alie Savane ’25 (Arts and Sciences), founder of Beta Kola; and Dylan Bardsley ’26 (Whitman School) and Mark Leaf ’27 (Engineering and Computer Science), founders of Clarity.

‘Surprise!’ Newhouse Alumni Release 2nd Independent Feature Film

For their next film, Newhouse alumni Rosie Grace and Nate Hapke focused on a surprise. 

Graduates of the television, radio and film (TRF) program in 2014, Grace and Hapke couldn’t wait to get to their next project after debuting their first feature, “Two Dash One One,” in 2022.   

“We’re not people who wait for the next opportunity,” said Hapke, an Emmy Award-winning director and filmmaker. “We make our own opportunities.”  

That ambition resulted in their second feature, “Surprise!,” which was acquired by Freestyle Digital Media and released on Aug. 13, 2024. The film tells the story of a surprise birthday party-that’s actually an engagement party-that gets repeatedly and hilariously derailed by the attendees. Hapke directed, produced, wrote and acted in the film; Grace wrote and produced. 

“Surprise!” is the second feature film released by their independent production company small/TALL Productions, and they’re currently in production on their third feature film, “We’re Bad at This.”

A TRF 235 course at Newhouse brought Hapke and Grace together, and a Newhouse LA study away semester—Hapke attended in 2012 and Grace in 2013—was instrumental in helping set them up for success in their filmmaking careers, Grace said. The foundational lessons—whether it was production scheduling techniques courtesy of Newhouse LA director Robin Howard, screenwriting or how the film industry functions—stick with Grace to this day.

Those skills came in handy during “Surprise!,” which takes on a more lighthearted tone than “Two Dash One One.” In searching for a story for “Surprise!”, Hapke and Grace looked towards their personal lives for inspiration. The duo, who were dating at the time of filming (and are now married), said they felt the pressure of engagement and marriage from the people around them. They channeled those dynamics into their screenplay.  

“The whole movie is about communication, which means we have miscommunication, which leads to so much humor and drama for the story,” Grace said. 

With a story in place, the script and cast for “Surprise!” came about organically. Much like “Two Dash One One,” the production team was overflowing with Syracuse University and Newhouse School alumni, including their frequent collaborator and TRF program alumnus Nicholas Ferreiro ’15, the film’s editor and director of photography.

“Nick and I have been working together since I was a sophomore [at Syracuse] and he was a freshman,” Hapke said. “It’s amazing to think back to when we were first in that Newhouse classroom [for an extracurricular,] and all these people have a shared interest and desire, but we don’t necessarily have the skill set. So let’s learn the skill set together, and here we are 13 years later. ” 

And more than a decade later, Hapke still enjoys the hurdles that sometimes come with independent filmmaking.

“I love the challenge of pushing the boulder up the hill because I would rather do [that] and fail, then not do because I was scared of failing,” he said. 

Those challenges included the “Surprise!” production shutting down for a few months due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests; Hapke and Grace faced similar struggles with their film “Two Dash One One,” which was written and shot during the pandemic. 

The key to navigating the challenge was “really making sure everybody’s bought in and communicating what the stakes are,” Hapke said. Once the team was on the same page about best practices and pre-production, they moved forward with “Surprise!”

 Hapke said he hopes that the drive that he and Grace have as independent filmmakers inspire Newhouse students to create their own opportunities.

“Making a short film is a lot of work, but you don’t make it in a day,” he said. “You start today. You pick your shooting date and you break it up into a million pieces and you figure out ‘what can I do today to start that ball rolling up the hill?’” 

Added Grace, “Make something, have the experience of creating, and get to walk away knowing you did it.” 

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“Surprise!” is available for viewing on AT&T U-Verse, DirecTV, Dish Network and Sling TV, Vubiquity, Hoopla, Amazon, Apple TV,  Microsoft (Xbox), Google Play, and YouTube Movies. The DVD is now available via Amazon.com, Bestbuy.com, Walmart.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

Newhouse Alumna Serves Hometown Community Through Work With the Buffalo Bills Foundation

Growing up on a cattle farm in Alden, New York, a rural community 30 minutes east of Buffalo, gave Morgan Foss G’20 an understanding of agriculture, food production and life on a farm.

The master’s degree in public relations Foss graduated with from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications gave her a strong foundation of communication, writing, relationship-building and strategic thinking.

Today, she puts it all together as program manager for the Buffalo Bills Foundation, the nonprofit arm of her hometown football franchise. The foundation supports a wide breadth of initiatives dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Western New York region, but its primary focus is addressing child hunger, food access and supporting healthy eating.

“Buffalo is the sixth most segregated metropolitan region in the country and 1 in 5 children—1 in 8 people overall—are food insecure,” Foss says, illuminating the importance of her work with the foundation. “There are many food deserts within the city and in surrounding communities, despite there being many agricultural areas, like where I grew up.”

The Bills Foundation supports several nonprofit organizations and programs that uplift the food system and provide healthy foods to underserved families. Foss is one of three employees who liaise with the foundation’s board of directors to respond to funding requests and direct resources to the many hunger-fighting organizations doing the work.

“The Bills organization has such a large platform and influence in the Western New York region. So in this position, I can connect the community’s needs with resources and bring awareness to specific causes.”

A Pandemic-Inspired Pivot

While Foss was always drawn to nonprofit and community-based work, she went to Newhouse intent on entering entertainment public relations after completing an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama.

In the spring of 2020, she was planning to visit Los Angeles for the entertainment immersion experience and was pursuing an internship in Nashville with Sony Music Entertainment, and then … we all know what happened next.

“All of a sudden I was finishing up my master’s degree, teaching undergraduate courses online and doing a virtual internship all from my childhood bedroom while simultaneously working on my family farm,” Foss says.

Not only were her personal plans put on hold, but the entire PR and entertainment industry was a question mark as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. With so much uncertainty, Foss began looking for opportunities closer to home, ultimately leading to her dream career with the Bills.

“It was a crazy time and while many businesses closed, my family farm and the agriculture industry trudged forward to ensure food was produced and stocked on shelves,” says Foss. “The pandemic certainly changed the trajectory of my career, but I’m grateful for it.” She emphasizes that her experience in 2020 built life skills that have wildly benefited her career—including adaptability, organization, being innovative with her time and space and the ability to build relationships through a screen.

Syracuse University’s Trailblazers

Each year Syracuse University recognizes the 50 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by Orange alumni with the ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award. The ceremony takes place on campus and includes a symposium at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management—giving the awardees the chance to share valuable business insights with current Syracuse students and faculty.

Below are snapshots of some of the awardees showcasing the diverse range of industries represented.

Michelle Schenandoah G’19

Founder and Executive Lead; Rematriation; Syracuse, New York

Rematriation is dedicated to supporting the movement of rematriation, which is Indigenous women-led work to raise human consciousness toward a relationship with Mother Earth. The organization uplifts Indigenous women’s voices through their digital storytelling platform and in-person gatherings—ensuring their stories and knowledge are widely shared. She’s also releasing a talk show and podcast series, “Rematriated Voices with Michelle Schenandoah,” in 2025.

Schenandoah earned a master’s degree in magazine, news and digital journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Her favorite course was offered through the Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship, where she engaged in real-time business development of her organization.

“The program at Newhouse truly helped shape my understanding of the current digital landscape of multimedia publishing and social media,” she says.

Fun fact: As an Oneida Nation member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, it’s important to Schenandoah to stay connected to the Syracuse University Indigenous community, which she does as an Orange alumna and adjunct professor in the College of Law.

Rob Long ’12, G’14

Executive Director; Uplifting Athletes; Doylestown, Pennsylvania

By funding research and connecting individuals and families with a network of athletes and athletic organizations, Uplifting Athletes uses the power of sport to build a community that invests in the lives of people impacted by rare diseases.

At Syracuse, Long studied marketing management and supply chain management as an undergraduate in the Whitman School of Management and then pursued a graduate degree in new media management from the Newhouse School. He was also on the football team, which he says was an incredibly impactful experience in learning the true meaning of being a teammate.

“My time at Syracuse was instrumental in preparing me for many of the challenges I faced while building Uplifting Athletes,” he says.

Fun fact: Since 2018, Uplifting Athletes has funded more than $1 million in research grants to the next generations of rare disease researchers and, since 2022, has provided Uplifting Experiences programs to more than 1,200 individuals impacted by a rare disease.

Cincinnati Bengals Broadcaster Dan Hoard ’85 to be Honored With Glickman Award at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School 

Dan Hoard ’85, the radio voice of the Cincinnati Bengals and University of Cincinnati football and basketball, will be honored with the Marty Glickman Award for Leadership in Sports Media during a Nov. 20 ceremony at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.  

Sponsored by the Newhouse Sports Media Center, the Glickman Award is named after the late sports broadcasting pioneer Marty Glickman, a 1939 alumnus of the University.   

ESPN’s Sean McDonough ’84, a previous Glickman Award recipient, will introduce Hoard.  

At the ceremony, Newhouse will also announce this year’s recipient of the Beth Mowins Award in Sports Media. Created by and named after the 1990 Newhouse graduate alumna and ESPN broadcaster, the Mowins Award scholarship supports young women in sports media and communications.  

Currently the only broadcaster to serve as the play-by-play voice of a city’s NFL and college football teams, Hoard is a four-time Ohio Sportscaster of the Year winner from the National Sports Media Association. He is a six-time regional Emmy winner for his play-by-play, anchoring and reporting.  

Hoard began his broadcasting career calling minor league baseball for the Class AAA Syracuse Chiefs in 1985. He served as sports director for WTVH-TV in Syracuse and WXIX-TV in Cincinnati; called major league baseball games for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets, and college basketball games for CBS Sports Network and Westwood One. 

Hoard has also worked as an NFL sideline reporter for Fox Sports and hosted the Cincinnati Reds’ TV pregame and postgame shows for Fox Sports Ohio. 

About the Glickman Award 

A graduate of Syracuse University, Glickman was also an All-American football player with brief careers in professional football and basketball. His legendary broadcasting career began at radio station WHN in New York City in 1939. Glickman’s legendary career helped to establish the University’s reputation of producing successful professionals in sports media.  

Master’s Alumni Profile: Carson Crestohl G’24

Newhouse Master’s Program: Public Relations 
Current Position: Coordinator, Content & Community, Golf Canada

How did you land your current position? 

I spent a lot of time on cover letters and tailoring my resume to the position and maintained good relationships with past employers who recommended me for the role. Before the final interview, I was required to complete a mock content plan and utilized many of the skills I learned at Newhouse as well as my knowledge of Golf Canada to go above and beyond. 

What positions have you held previously? 

I have been a communications intern at the New York State Golf Association, an athletic communications intern at Syracuse Athletics, part of the Syracuse Hillel and an editorial and marketing associate at Matchplay Golf Marketing. 

What is an average day like for you on the job? 

I begin by responding to inquiries on social media, develop graphics and video content, develop content plans focused on upcoming tournaments, a season or off-season. 

How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position? 

My graphic design and video production classes were extremely helpful and allowed me to get confident using content creation tools prior to starting. From a campaign perspective, Newhouse provided me with the knowledge required to set and measure goals, as well as to utilize paid, earned, shared and owned (PESO) assets in developing content. 

What are the moments of your career so far that have been the most important? 

Working the 2023 RBC Canadian Open and being offered the full-time position with Golf Canada. 

What unique features encouraged you to apply to your graduate program? 

Going to graduate school in the United States with a major college sports program was always of appeal. I also always had an interest in working for the Syracuse Athletics department, which certainly seemed as if there were opportunities for students to get involved with ‘Cuse Athletics. In addition, Newhouse provided a sports media emphasis, which for someone who was coming from a sports background and hoping for a sports future, was a major point in its favor. In addition, the Newhouse reputation and alumni network was a significant consideration.  

Did Newhouse expose you to new aspects of your respective field?

Absolutely. At first, I was primarily interested in communications and marketing, but my program helped open my eyes to both the content and agency spaces. In my graduate internship with the New York State Golf Association, I worked with content in a professional setting for the first time and discovered a passion for it.  

Did you take advantage of the Newhouse Career Development Center?

Yes, I made an appointment when I arrived and made sure they were well aware of my interests. I also was able to access the alumni network, which was a very helpful feature for networking opportunities.  

What are some of the obstacles and misconceptions that students should be aware of when it comes to your field?

Do not discount the importance of leveraging your past and current opportunities to assist with the job search. Leaving a good impression is paramount in case a potential employer comes calling. Also, writing is very different in an academic versus a professional setting, especially in marketing communications. Trim out all the fat.  

What advice do you have for current or incoming students? 

Never underestimate the importance of building connections with professors. They are constantly getting requests from hiring managers regarding students they would recommend. The same goes for your peers, you never know when they might be in a position to hire or recommend you. 

Master’s Alumni Profile: Tonia Michele Davis G’22

Tonia Michele Davis G’22

Newhouse Master’s Program: Broadcast and Digital Journalism
Current Position: Meteorologist at WBRC Fox 6 News

How did you obtain your current position?  

My path to WBRC started in the summer of 2022, when I met WBRC FOX6 News anchor Steve Crocker and news director Shannon Isbell at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Las Vegas. I approached them about my interest in pursuing my meteorology career post-graduate school and I wanted to move to Birmingham to be closer to my fiancé (now husband) and family. I attended the convention thanks to Syracuse University and my position as NABJ SU chapter treasurer. 

What’s an average day like for you on the job?

I kick off my day before 8 a.m., hitting the gym, tackling schoolwork, handling house chores and caring for my dog, Mocha, before my ‘9 to 5’ routine begins. Then, it’s time to head to WBRC where my shift runs from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday. Upon arrival, I dive into assembling the day’s forecast, analyzing forecast models and collaborating with my weather producer to fine-tune our 6:30 p.m. weather show.

I kick off the 4 p.m. newscast, delivering the forecast every six minutes. After a brief dinner break at 5 p.m., I return to anchor the 6:30 p.m. weather show. By 7 p.m., I’m recording forecasts for gas station pumps and doctor’s offices, along with managing custom social media updates and push alerts for our WBRC WX app users. By 8:30 p.m. or so, I begin prepping for the 9 p.m. newscast which involves building graphics and refreshing my makeup before going live again every six minutes to provide the latest weather updates. By 10 p.m., I’m wrapping up tasks, sending out updates, responding to emails and planning for the next day. Around 11 p.m., it is time to head home and prepare to do it all over again! 

How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?

Newhouse prepared me for my current position by instilling a strong work ethic and the power of consistency and discipline. Through managing heavy workloads and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, I have been able to prioritize tasks effectively. In terms of hard skills, Newhouse equipped me with a comprehensive toolkit for multimedia journalism. I learned how to speak, shoot, edit and write compelling stories, which made me a well-rounded candidate when I applied to WBRC. For instance, I was taught video editing on software like Adobe Premiere, a transferable skill that I now use when editing on CapCut. This skill has allowed me to produce polished content like news packages under tight deadlines for Weather Extra. My editing skills have also allowed me to produce daily content on my social media platforms where I now have over 20 thousand followers combined.

Additionally, Newhouse emphasized the development of soft skills where I learned to focus on progress rather than perfection, understanding that continuous improvement is key to personal and professional growth. Lastly, Newhouse reinforced the importance of time management where I have developed the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities without compromising quality. Overall, the combination of hard and soft skills I acquired at Newhouse has played a significant role in my ability to excel in my current position at WBRC. 

Did Newhouse open your eyes to new professions or aspects of your field?  

Yes! Newhouse broadened my horizons and led me to unexpected paths, including joining the military. Before attending Newhouse, I never imagined myself pursuing a military career. However, the confidence and leadership skills I gained during my time there encouraged me to explore opportunities outside of my comfort zone. 

What unique features of your graduate program drew you to it? 

The first feature of the graduate program that caught my eye was the duration of it. The 13-month program was exactly what I needed, offering a quick pathway into the workforce. It provided everything I needed to know for my big-girl job at the number one station in Birmingham, Alabama, at WBRC. Plus, I was able to have other experiences while at SU like working for Forbes as a paid media intern, serving in organizations on campus like NABJ and Newhouse President, getting a temporary job at KOB4 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and networking with like-minded individuals. 

Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?

While at SU, I wore many hats as I tried to get my foot in a little bit of everything to seek out my passions. I worked for Forbes as a paid media intern. I also served in organizations on campus like NABJ SU as treasurer and was elected Newhouse president. Additionally, I believe I used the Newhouse Career Development center to get my on-campus job in the financial aid building. I worked as an employee in the office of the financial literacy department guiding students on their financial literacy projects and overseeing the social media page.  

What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field? 

Graduate school at SU is challenging. You will need to pace yourself and have clear goals daily so you can stay on top of the heavy workload. There will be late nights and hard days, but it is preparing you to be your best self, and you will look back at your journey and be proud. One of the biggest misconceptions is that graduate school gives you more freedom than undergraduate school, so you will have more free time to work other jobs, hang out, etc. This is true only to an extent. There were courses in graduate school that took so much of my time that I had to take off from work just to get my school stuff done. Be careful how much you take on outside of school, because the workload can be a lot. 

What moments in your career have been most exciting or defining thus far? 

My most exciting career moment was working in New Mexico. I worked there for three months. I traveled and explored through the state while my housing, car and flights were paid for by the news station. A highlight of my career and one that still feels like a dream. 

What advice do you have for current or incoming students?

Enjoy life’s journey. Every step, every hour, every day, every week, and every year you get out of life is valuable. There will be storms, but they will pass. So, embrace the hard moments too. Newhouse is such a magical place if you view it that way. I highly recommend taking Olivia Stomski‘s courses. She will bring influential people into her classes to speak about life and work and to motivate and inspire you. Take advantage of those moments too and ask questions. 

And always remember this from your favorite meteorologist (me)…to #fightthestorm 

Leaders in Film, Recruitment and Career Services Industries, Join Newhouse Advisory Board

The Newhouse School is welcoming leaders from the film and recruitment and career services industries as the latest members of the Newhouse Advisory Board. 

Dwight Caines ’87 serves as president of domestic marketing for Universal Pictures, while Valerie Workman ’86 is chief talent engagement officer at Handshake, which describes itself as the “leading early career community” in the United States.  

The Newhouse Advisory Board supports Dean Mark Lodato, faculty and staff in the school’s efforts to make Newhouse the country’s leading institution for education and research in communications. 

“I am thrilled to welcome Dwight and Valerie, two dynamic figures in their respective fields, to the Newhouse Advisory Board,” Lodato said. “They will offer invaluable perspectives to our school as Newhouse works to ensure that our students are prepared to thrive in media, entertainment and communications after graduation.”  

Caines and Workman will join the Advisory Board at its next meeting next week. 

“Dwight Caines and Valerie Workman will bring unique insights to the Newhouse Advisory Board that will help the school’s mission of training and developing the next generation of communications leaders,” said Sandra Cordova Micek ’91, chair of the board. Cordova Micek is president and CEO of WTTW/WFMT in Chicago.  

“I am so thankful that they have chosen to give back to their alma mater in such a meaningful way, and we look forward to their voices on the board and working with them,” she said. 

Dwight Caines 

As president of domestic marketing at Universal, Caines oversees media, digital marketing, multicultural marketing, data analytics and publicity. He previously served as  president of marketing at Sony Pictures Entertainment. During his career, Caines has worked in various roles in marketing hundreds of movies, including global franchises such as James Bond, Spider-Man, Jurassic World and The Fast and the Furious. 

Caines is co-chair of the Universal Pictures Inclusion Committee, which strives to enhance a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion among the workforce and its creative endeavors. He has been an active member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences Marketing and Public Relations Branch since 2010. 

Holding a bachelor’s degree from Newhouse in television, radio and film (TRF) production, Caines serves as a mentor and teaches marketing in the Newhouse LA program. He delivered the keynote address at the 2022 Newhouse Convocation Ceremony.  

Valerie Workman 

As chief talent engagement officer at Handshake, Workman focuses on helping employers define and execute their talent acquisition strategies by providing thought leadership on the future of work. She is a leading industry voice at the intersection of artificial intelligence, careers and global workforce planning. 

Prior to joining Handshake, Workman served as the vice president of people at Tesla, where she reported directly to the CEO and became known as “Tesla’s Top Diversity Advocate.” In that role, Workman led the doubling of the Tesla workforce from 50,000 to 100,000 employees, published the company’s first diversity, equity and inclusion report, created a comprehensive online employee guidebook, enhanced pay equity processes, expanded mental health benefits and led the design and rollout of Tesla’s companywide Respectful Recharge training program. She started with Tesla as head of compliance, leading the governance and legal compliance operations that paved the way for the construction of Tesla factories in Shanghai, Berlin and Austin, Texas. 

Workman’s two decades of executive leadership experience also includes stints in the hospitality and consumer packaged goods sectors. She is the author of the 2023 Amazon bestseller “Quantum Progression: The Art and Science of Career Advancement in the Age of A.I.” After graduating with a bachelor’s in communications from Newhouse, Workman earned a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law, which bestowed her a 2024 Diversity Champion Award.

Photo Gallery: Newhouse at Coming Back Together Reunion

The Newhouse School hosted an alumni luncheon and speed networking session on Sept. 13, as part of Syracuse University’s Office of Multicultural Advancement Coming Back Together (CBT) reunion, which was held Sept. 12-15. Newhouse staff, faculty, alumni and students also attended many more CBT events throughout the weekend.

CBT is a triennial gathering—this year’s gathering represents the 14th reunion—that welcomes Black and Latino alumni back to campus to celebrate their accomplishments, meet current students and stay connected with the University.

All photos by Madelyn Geyer unless otherwise noted.