Power of Storytelling

Storytelling is a superpower. It’s an ability shared amongst alumni that emerge from Oakland University’s Department of Communication, Journalism and Public Relations. In this space, those curious about the world of storytelling learn to hone their craft.

Communication and journalism majors are prepared for a variety of careers, from broadcast to public relations and beyond. We connected with four alumni who are pursuing their passions in storytelling to discover how their time at OU helped guide them to where they are today.

In this article

Hillary Sawchuk, CAS '09
B.A. in Journalism
Founder, Producer and Host of "A Drink With"

Scott Wolchek, CAS '14
B.A. in Communication
Media Relations Specialist for Identity PR

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, CAS '90
B.A. in Journalism
Executive Editor of the Times Media Group

Kelli Warshefski, CAS '13 and '16
B.A. in Journalism and M.A. in Communication
Editor of Oakland University Alumni Magazine

More Prominent Alumni Working in the Field

Salwan Georges, CAS ’15
B.A. in Journalism
Pulitzer prize winner, Staff Photographer at The Washington Post

Kristen Skladd, CAS ’11
B.A. in Journalism
Journalist, owner of the KMS Group

Darrel Cole, CAS ’91
B.A. in Journalism
VP, Managing Director at Communications and Public Involvement Practice

Kaniqua Welch, CAS ’04
B.A. in Journalism
Communications Officer at The Kresge Foundation

Steve Staeger, CAS ’08
B.A. in Communication
Anchor and Reporter at KUSA-TV in Denver, Colorado

Kim Adams, CAS ’93
B.A. in Communication
Emmy-award winning meteorologist at WDIV-TV in Detroit, Michigan

Gayle Issa, CAS ’03
B.A. in Journalism
Multimedia Planning Editor at Reuters News Agency

Oona Goodin-Smith, CAS ’16
B.A. in Journalism
Reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer

Hillary Sawchuk, CAS ’09
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Founder, Producer and Host of “A Drink With”

When it was time to pick a major for college, I knew I wanted to choose journalism. I wanted to be on camera. At the time, this meant my path would be broadcast journalism as opposed to print. I loved storytelling, meeting new people and building relationships. And, honestly, it just seemed like a fun career.

I transferred to Oakland University from Michigan State during my sophomore year. I wanted to be in the mix and action of what was happening in Metro Detroit and found more opportunities at OU with great internships close by, like my time working for the Detroit Pistons and WDIV. I was really excited to get out there and start working, so this type of real-world experience was important to me. But what I found at OU was more than just great opportunities: I found a huge support system with professors actually working in the field. It was really cool to go to a sports writing class with Pat Caputo and then listen to him on the radio. I loved that.

One of my very first assignments in Caputo’s sports writing class was to cover an OU basketball game. I got a 2.0 on that paper. It was so bad! While I started out interested in sports reporting, that experience helped me realize I did not want to report sports games. I was more interested in getting to know the people behind the headlines. The journalism program helped me figure out what I did and didn’t like so I could hone in on what exactly I wanted to do. The principles I learned in my journalism classes I still reflect on often in my work.

Post-graduation, though, I struggled to get a job in the field. So, I took a sales position in Chicago. That's when I fell in love with city life. I realized I would have to do something on my own if I wanted to work in journalism in Chicago. So, while keeping that sales job, I started “A Drink With.”

There is something special about getting a drink with someone. That’s why, 11 years ago, I created “A Drink With” as a web series to connect with inspiring individuals such as artists, athletes, actors, and entrepreneurs over a drink. It’s an intimate moment everyone can relate to where a person can be vulnerable, which allows the interview guests’ fans to connect and discover something new. Starting off, I was so passionate about the idea that I ran the site and did interviews without making any money. I am so grateful for that sales job because it taught me vital skills, eventually leading to the monetization of “A Drink With” with brand partnerships, sponsorships and custom-branded content.

I’ve had so many great conversations on “A Drink With” and met so many fascinating people that it’s hard to pick a favorite interview. I'll never forget the day I interviewed John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. I couldn't believe that they showed up … and on time! Also, interviewing Chelsea Handler in Los Angeles in the greenroom at the studio of her Netflix show was a big day.

As I look back, my work and voice have changed a lot since college. I’ve grown as a journalist and person with the types of questions I want to ask and the things I’m interested in learning about over a drink. I’m excited to see what will come over the next 10 years. The possibilities are endless!

Scott Wolchek, CAS ’14
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Media Relations Specialist for Identity PR

It was my 24th birthday. I was driving down I-96 blasting “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen and singing at the top of my lungs — excited, nervous and about to accomplish my dream: becoming a news reporter.

I’d been hired at WILX in Lansing as a multimedia journalist; I poured my heart and soul into landing that job. I felt a cold fear in my stomach when I found out I’d need to turn in a story on my first day. It was tough, but I was proud that I did it. And I couldn’t have done it without the help of my professors and the relationships I made at Oakland University.

I had wanted to be a news reporter since I was little. My dad is the Hall of Shame guy at Fox 2 Detroit, and I’ve helped him on reports since I was four. My passion only grew once I enrolled in Ms. Reddy’s video class at Lakeland High School: she was a wonderful teacher who encouraged us to be creative.

I was thrilled to be accepted into Oakland University as a communications major. I soon got involved with WXOU thanks to Professor Christine Stover — and my true passion for news writing blossomed in Professor Holly Gilbert’s classes. Holly changed my life in 2013 when she made me aware that The Oakland Post was looking for a new editor-in-chief. I applied and got the job.

I met my amazingly talented wife, Ali DeRees, at The Post, and I became a stronger storyteller and honed my news sense. After graduation in 2014, I joined the CW50 Street Team and produced and anchored traffic reports at Total Traffic & Weather Networks.

During my time at WILX, Ali got a producing job at WNEM in Saginaw, and I soon joined her as a multimedia journalist. In news, I made friendships to last a lifetime and had the help of mentors like Ann Emmerich and David Custer.

Then the pandemic came. And it brought change.

Ali accomplished her dream, landing a producing job at WXYZ. We were moving home, and my career took a twist: I decided to give public relations a chance and applied at Identity, a PR agency that kicks ass.

Ahead of my writing test at Identity, I asked Holly if she could send me some guides to press releases as a refresher — and of course, she sent them.

I’m proud to say I got the job. It’s been the most positive career experience I’ve ever had. I handle media relations and love helping our clients tell and share their stories with journalists across the country. It’s revived my passion for journalism in new, fun ways and I’m loving it.

I have been blessed with opportunity — so much of which came from my experiences at OU, having mentors like Holly and Garry Gilbert, meeting Ali, and the lessons I learned and the stories I got to tell along the way.

I’m proud and thankful to be a Golden Grizzly.

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, CAS ’90
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Executive Editor of the Times Media Group

When I walked through the Hamlin Hall doors in August 1986, I was filled with excitement about the next chapter of my life. I long admired print journalists — especially sports and music reporters. My mother, Judy Fuoco, worked in advertising and then finance for Suburban Communications Corp., which owned the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, since I was in elementary school. Occasionally, she brought me to her Livonia office while she caught up with work. She handed reporter’s pads to me to doodle on. I used them to take notes about the newsroom.

When I chose my major during my senior year at Westland John Glenn High School, there was no question it would be journalism.

Arriving at Oakland University, a fire was lit. Some were skeptical that I could make a career in the media. But during my four years at OU, mentors and professors like Detroit Free Press publisher Neal Shine and the Eccentric’s Karen Hermes-Smith inspired me to pursue my dreams.

A fan of the Detroit Red Wings as well as music, I landed a public relations internship with Olympia Entertainment the summer between my sophomore and junior years. I learned about the PR side of communications while working family events at Joe Louis Arena, finding treasured memorabilia at the Fox Theatre during its renovations and accompanying the Detroit Drive arena football team to personal appearances.

I started my journalism career with The Oakland Sail, later renamed The Oakland Post. My first interview as a reporter for The Sail was with “Lethal Weapon” actor Danny Glover; intimidating, to say the least.

My experience at Olympia Entertainment, coupled with years of working with Jane Briggs-Bunting and Kurt Luedtke at The Oakland Sail, gave me a well-rounded education in journalism. Both were ruthless with our stories, but it was a quick lesson in constructive criticism. Jane Briggs-Bunting was then the director of OU’s journalism program and newspaper adviser, while former Detroit Free Press executive editor Kurt Luedtke served as a special adviser (he’s best known for penning the films “Out of Africa” and “Absence of Malice”).

With that experience in my corner — and fellow student reporters like Claudette Zolkowski, Catherine Kaza, Wendy Wendland, Andy Sneddon and Dave Hogg — it was hard to fail. Still, naysayers tried to chip away at my confidence.

I jumped into the world of newspapers as an intern at the Daily Tribune in Royal Oak. Impressed with my writing and copy-editing skills, the publication hired me just as I was graduating from OU in 1990. I learned about breaking news when 31-year-old Thomas McIlvane shot and killed four employees at the U.S. Post Office in Royal Oak on November 14, 1991. I was part of a team that won an Associated Press award for breaking news coverage.

Since then, I have worked for newspapers and magazines in Michigan and Arizona and won awards there, too. Having freelanced for RollingStone.com, MTV.com, Billboard and VenuesNow, I currently serve as executive editor of the Times Media Group in Tempe, Arizona, overseeing 23 publications in Phoenix, Tucson and SoCal.

I feel, in a way, like I’ve come full circle. Oakland University gave my life purpose and allowed me to fulfill my dreams. Now I get to share my story.

Kelli Warshefski, CAS ’13 and '16
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Master of Arts in Communication
Editor, Oakland University Alumni Magazine

My journey to journalism was a strange and accidental one. Undecided about what I wanted to do with my life, I took a variety of courses at St. Clair County Community College (SC4). Walking around campus one day, I stumbled into a meeting for the community college’s student-run newspaper, where I found a team of creatives brainstorming stories, looking through photo proofs and establishing layouts. I immediately felt at home and enrolled in journalism courses thereafter. And while those seeds for journalism were planted in community college, they didn’t take root until I got to OU.

Early on, my convictions for this field were shaky at best. I had an intense fear of public speaking and questioned how I was going to succeed in a field focused on talking to others. But I knew this was what I wanted to pursue and that the only way to overcome this fear was to jump in headfirst.

After getting my associate degree at SC4, I transferred to OU. My mother was an Oakland University grad, and I found the small class sizes and intimate setting ideal. I knew I had made the right decision as I walked out of my last class in Vandenberg Hall that first day. There was a warm September breeze as the sun kissed my face and I was overcome with a sense of contentment, knowing without a doubt that this was where I was meant to be.

I threw myself into my studies. I took photography, linguistics, media and design courses to immerse myself in a field vast with opportunities. In my junior year, I spent a summer working with Oakland University alumni; a project that fed my desire for feature storytelling.

After graduation, I became a freelance writer and photographer but craved something more. I took a job in crisis communications for a spell, but discovered quickly that it was not for me. And then, eight years ago, my former journalism adviser, Holly Gilbert, informed me about a writing position with Oakland University Communication and Marketing. It opened the door to expand my skill set through news, marketing and editorial production.

Now, I spend my days telling stories about our exceptional community. After all these years, I am still constantly amazed by the ambition, passion and drive of those that call OU home. To be able to share their tales of triumph, as well as hear your own inspirational stories, is the reason I continue to be your Oakland University Alumni Magazine editor.

Alumni Voices|

Communication and journalism alumni divulge their pathways to success

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