Annual Report 2017

“I knew I needed to make
my own opportunities and
stand out.”
A 2017 Lindsey Wilson College graduate received early acceptance
to the Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of
Communication to study broadcast and digital journalism.
Adair County native, Lileana Pearson, completed a bachelor’s
degree in media studies with a minor in communication in
only three years from LWC.
Pearson, who was the editor of the college newspaper
Raiderview, says she knew she had to be an industrious selfstarter
if she intended to pursue a career in the highly-competitive
field of broadcast and digital journalism.
“I knew right away that attending college in a small town
meant that if I really wanted to go to the next level with my education
– I needed to do everything I could to make the experience
as meaningful as it could be,” Pearson said. “I needed to
make my own opportunities and stand out. It was really important
to build up my resume during my time at LWC so I could
say I did everything I possibly could to make myself the best
candidate for whatever I decided to do after college.”
During her three years at LWC, Pearson was involved in several
clubs and organizations. Along with the college newspaper,
she was a part of the Student Government Association and
LWC Campus Kitchen. She also worked multiple part-time jobs
and completed two internships in radio and journalism.
“Everyone at LWC is so supportive. When I told my professor,
David Goguen, I wanted to graduate in three years, he said
I could do it,” said Pearson. “When I said I wanted to get my
broadcast degree at the best graduate school in the country, he
said I could do it.”
In recognition of her contributions and accomplishments
while a student at LWC, Pearson was honored with an L3 Leadership
award and two outstanding achievement awards in journalism.
“Lindsey Wilson gives you an environment with the flexibility
to design your college experience in a way that best suits
your career goals,” Pearson said.
Pearson’s work ethic and diligence paid-off when she was
accepted into the top communication graduate program in the
country – Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public
Communication. Pearson is one of only 32 students accepted to
the highly-competitive broadcast and digital journalism program.
“The broadcast program is small. There are only 32 students,
so the acceptance rate is very low,” Pearson said. “I applied because
it was my dream school, not because I knew that I was
100% going to get in. I’m a doer and not a tester, so I knew that
I needed a program that put more stake on physically doing the
LWC alumna Lileana Pearson ’17 began graduate
school in July at the S.I. Newhouse School of Communication
to study broadcast journalism. She was one
of a 32 student cohort to be accepted to the highlycompetitive
program. She earned a bachelor’s degree
from LWC in three years.
work, and not so much on written exams. When I saw that
Syracuse was a well respected, big school with a small, projectbased
program – I knew that’s where I needed to be.”
Since starting at Syracuse in July, Pearson has volunteered
with the local National Pubic Radio (NPR) affiliate station and
covered several news events, such as the mayoral race in Syracuse.
Pearson says Lindsey Wilson supported her educational journey
by pushing her to be her best and instilling the confidence
she needed to apply to a highly-selective graduate school.
“Lindsey Wilson prepared me by providing every opportunity
I needed to explore my interests and my wants. LWC put in
my path the people who told me I could do anything I set my
mind to do. When I applied to Syracuse, I was the only person
who ever doubted that I was going to get in. I wouldn’t be
where I am now had it not been for the opportunities and the
encouragement given to me by Lindsey Wilson College.”
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