Our Mentors:
We are very proud to introduce you to your lead mentors this summer.
We have a quartet of talented young journalists at the University of Arizona School of Journalism. These four individuals will be the faces whom you will see plenty of over the next 10 days. Each will serve as lead of a section for the workshop: Radio, Photography, Web, and text.
Throughout the workshop, we will also be joined by several other university student day-mentors who will help you with your projects. These students will range from someone who is a burgeoning neophyte in journalist to a very accomplished former attorney and geneticist.
You are in great hands.
We have a quartet of talented young journalists at the University of Arizona School of Journalism. These four individuals will be the faces whom you will see plenty of over the next 10 days. Each will serve as lead of a section for the workshop: Radio, Photography, Web, and text.
Throughout the workshop, we will also be joined by several other university student day-mentors who will help you with your projects. These students will range from someone who is a burgeoning neophyte in journalist to a very accomplished former attorney and geneticist.
You are in great hands.
John de Dios,
Interim Director, Dow Jones News Fund Journalism Diversity Workshop
Photograph by Samantha Sais
De Dios, who graduated from the UA School of Journalism, co-directed the workshop for six years from 2004 to 2009 before retiring from the program.
During his time at the University, de Dios has advised student leadership groups, mentored nationally for professional organizations including The New York Times journalism institute, the Asian American Journalists Association, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and for the Unity Journalists of Color. De Dios focuses on photojournalism, multi-platform storytelling and editing.
At the journalism school, de Dios has team taught or assisted with classes that ranged from beginning reporting and photojournalism, to the senior capstone classes involving online journalism, video journalism, documentary, and special projects. Recently, de Dios, whose first degree was in biology, has focused on science journalism.
Aside from his work with students at the university and other organizations, de Dios also contributes to Tucson Weekly, is a guest blogger for the Scientific American blog and the social media coordinator for Reporting Unlimited, an organization dedicated to excellence in journalism training.
As a side project, de Dios serves as the producer for a documentary about Caracal caracals in Namibia, South Africa.
During his time at the University, de Dios has advised student leadership groups, mentored nationally for professional organizations including The New York Times journalism institute, the Asian American Journalists Association, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and for the Unity Journalists of Color. De Dios focuses on photojournalism, multi-platform storytelling and editing.
At the journalism school, de Dios has team taught or assisted with classes that ranged from beginning reporting and photojournalism, to the senior capstone classes involving online journalism, video journalism, documentary, and special projects. Recently, de Dios, whose first degree was in biology, has focused on science journalism.
Aside from his work with students at the university and other organizations, de Dios also contributes to Tucson Weekly, is a guest blogger for the Scientific American blog and the social media coordinator for Reporting Unlimited, an organization dedicated to excellence in journalism training.
As a side project, de Dios serves as the producer for a documentary about Caracal caracals in Namibia, South Africa.
Veronica Cruz,
Co-Director for the Workshop
Reporter, Arizona Daily Star
Photograph by John de Dios
Veronica Cruz is a public safety reporter at the Arizona Daily Star. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona School of Journalism. She has participated in the Chips Quinn Scholar program, the New York Times Student Journalism Institute, and the Journalism Diversity Workshop for High School Students.
Her work has appeared in the Santa Fe New Mexican and Zocalo Magazine.
Her work has appeared in the Santa Fe New Mexican and Zocalo Magazine.
Kate Harrison,
Senior Program Coordinator, for the Workshop
Senior Program Coordinator, UA Journalism School
Kate's background includes positions as senior publications editor for the University of Dayton, development communications coordinator at Dayton and associate editor at the UA Foundation.
Most recently, she spent five years as managing editor of the Catholic Diocese of Tucson's monthly newspaper. She also has worked as a freelance editor for E.T. Nedder Publishing. Harrison earned her bachelor's degree in communication from the University of Dayton in 1987 and her master's in journalism from the UA in 2012.
She maintains the school's website, plans special events and works with alumni and donors.
Most recently, she spent five years as managing editor of the Catholic Diocese of Tucson's monthly newspaper. She also has worked as a freelance editor for E.T. Nedder Publishing. Harrison earned her bachelor's degree in communication from the University of Dayton in 1987 and her master's in journalism from the UA in 2012.
She maintains the school's website, plans special events and works with alumni and donors.
Melissa Guz,
Radio Journalism Lead
Photo by James Patrick
I’m a 21-year-old graduate student at the University of Arizona. I graduated with bachelor of arts degrees in both journalism and communication this past May, and now I’m working on the last year of my master’s degree at the School of Journalism. I was accepted into the school’s Advanced Masters Program.
My primary interest in the field is radio journalism, as I’m a DJ at KAMP Student Radio. I’m also interested in becoming a television producer. For me, I’m alright with not being in the spotlight because it is all about the essence of journalism and what it entails—being the watchdog for the public. As a result, I have strived to expand my horizons to all forms of reporting. I currently have experience as a newspaper, feature, radio and television writer. I have some experience as a photographer and little experience in multimedia. Thus, I hope my last year will help me build a better foundation in these areas.
If you asked me what my identifier would be, I would simply respond with “The Beatles.” I’m an avid, obsessive and crazy Beatles fan who knows almost everything about the band and its members. I have been a fan since I was 10 years old and can predict that I will be a fan till my dying day. Oh, and my favorite Beatle is George Harrison.
My primary interest in the field is radio journalism, as I’m a DJ at KAMP Student Radio. I’m also interested in becoming a television producer. For me, I’m alright with not being in the spotlight because it is all about the essence of journalism and what it entails—being the watchdog for the public. As a result, I have strived to expand my horizons to all forms of reporting. I currently have experience as a newspaper, feature, radio and television writer. I have some experience as a photographer and little experience in multimedia. Thus, I hope my last year will help me build a better foundation in these areas.
If you asked me what my identifier would be, I would simply respond with “The Beatles.” I’m an avid, obsessive and crazy Beatles fan who knows almost everything about the band and its members. I have been a fan since I was 10 years old and can predict that I will be a fan till my dying day. Oh, and my favorite Beatle is George Harrison.
Rob Alcaraz,
Copy Chief
Photograph by James Patrick
Rob Alcaraz is a master’s student at the University of Arizona studying journalism. Earning a bachelors degree in journalism, along with a minor in theater arts, he is cultured and up to date with current events and social media.
Originally from Yuma, Arizona, he is currently working as the photo editor for The Daily Wildcat and official photographer of Congressman hopeful Dr. Manny Arreguin. Having been apart of KAMP Student Radio for four years, he is also accustomed to being on air and has grown as a broadcasting journalist. Rob developed an interest in multimedia while taking various courses at the UA.
Originally from Yuma, Arizona, he is currently working as the photo editor for The Daily Wildcat and official photographer of Congressman hopeful Dr. Manny Arreguin. Having been apart of KAMP Student Radio for four years, he is also accustomed to being on air and has grown as a broadcasting journalist. Rob developed an interest in multimedia while taking various courses at the UA.
Keith Perfetti,
Multimedia Lead and Web Master
Photo by John de Dios
Keith Perfetti is a University of Arizona Alumnus, having double majored in studio art photography and journalism. Currently he is freelancing as a photographer and multimedia editor while moonlighting as a web developer. He also edits together science communications videos for the Biosphere 2 and UA Science in general. Originally from New Jersey he plans to move back and promptly move away again in his endless pursuit of the perfect place to live.
Hannah Mcleod,
Daily Photo Mentor
Hannah Mcleod
Most of my life has been spent in the desert heat of Tucson. I attended a private school from 4th grade to 12th grade and was heavily involved in sports, AP classes and leadership positions. After graduating from high school, I attended Pima Community College, where I was first exposed to journalism by becoming a reporter for the Aztec Press. I wrote features and profiles. I also videotaped, photographed and wrote about the men and women’s tennis teams. From there, I attended the University of Arizona and have since interned for Tucson West Publishing andThe Explorer newspaper. Each has given me ample experience in professionalism, timeliness and reporting.
School has never come easy to me, so I’ve always had to work extra hard to earn good grades. One thing I’ve learned is to present your best and willingly accept criticism with humility.
I have no problem walking up to a stranger and starting a conversation. Needless to say, I’m curious, and that curiosity often leads to an interesting story that most people have never heard. So why not tell that story? With journalism, I’ve found that I can. I love capturing someone’s life through a photograph or written story.
My hope is to become a professional journalist where I can apply these skills and attributes in an impactful way.
Susan E. Swanberg,
Science Journalism Mentor
Susan E. Swanberg
As a young child I was fascinated by the natural world. As an adult I put away those childish things, took up something more serious and graduated with a law degree.
After a career in criminal law, I returned to science–my first love. In 1998 I graduated with a master’s degree in biological science from California State University and in 2005 I graduated with a Ph.D. in genetics from the University of California, Davis.
I worked as a research scientist for six additional years, studying autism genetics and telomere biology. I have authored or co-authored 12 scientific articles, including research papers, reviews and book chapters.
The common thread throughout my professional experience is writing. I have written legal briefs, scientific manuscripts and creative nonfiction. With my experience and background, becoming a science writer was a logical step. I’m learning how to write with a new voice. It’s an exciting time and I’m enjoying every minute of it!
In 2008 my husband and I bought a house at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The region offers a multitude of topics to choose from—the natural history of the Southwest and first-class scientific research at the University of Arizona, not to mention the creatures in my own backyard. I look forward to sharing these topics with my audience.
After a career in criminal law, I returned to science–my first love. In 1998 I graduated with a master’s degree in biological science from California State University and in 2005 I graduated with a Ph.D. in genetics from the University of California, Davis.
I worked as a research scientist for six additional years, studying autism genetics and telomere biology. I have authored or co-authored 12 scientific articles, including research papers, reviews and book chapters.
The common thread throughout my professional experience is writing. I have written legal briefs, scientific manuscripts and creative nonfiction. With my experience and background, becoming a science writer was a logical step. I’m learning how to write with a new voice. It’s an exciting time and I’m enjoying every minute of it!
In 2008 my husband and I bought a house at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The region offers a multitude of topics to choose from—the natural history of the Southwest and first-class scientific research at the University of Arizona, not to mention the creatures in my own backyard. I look forward to sharing these topics with my audience.