Where are they now?

By Lindsay Mead

With the upcoming 2018 midterm elections, immigration issues, and the president decrying “fake news,” journalism is a hot topic.

“I think journalism is kind of what’s making the world go ‘round right now,” says Jenna Kelley, a former Florida State University student who studied in Valencia in 2016.

Students with an interest in journalism or media and the means to study abroad make their way to Spain each summer for FSU’s Editing, Writing and Media Program. The program marked its fifth consecutive year in 2018.

During the five-week program, students work together to create Nomadic Noles, the student-produced magazine for Valencia’s study abroad program (and the one you are now reading). Students in the program aspire to be writers, editors, news or entertainment broadcasters, and more.

Meanwhile, some of the program’s alumni are already off to a strong start with their media careers. Among those are alumnae Jenna Kelley, Ashley Tressel, Gail Levy, and Victoria Messina.

Jenna Kelley

From Valencia student to weekend anchor

Jenna Kelley studied in the EWM Valencia program in 2016, and she graduated from FSU in the spring of 2018. She began her career as a weekend news anchor and weekday reporter at KLST in San Angelo, Texas in May 2018.

Kelly was a theater kid in high school and she never really considered journalism her calling. After obtaining applicable internships throughout college, however, she realized that her love for writing and entertainment, plus her desire to be on-air, could land her a successful career in broadcast journalism.

“It’s fun for me—and you can also change people’s lives in weird ways by telling people things they didn’t know before,” Kelley says.

KLST is a small market and the station only uses camera operators on the weekends, leaving Kelley to produce her entire show on weekdays with the app, iNews.

“It’s a very one-person band,” Kelley says.

“You bring your camera with you, you bring the tripod, you find your story for that day, and you go straight to the scene where that story’s happening.”

Moving forward, she wants to keep improving since she is in a smaller media market.

Jenna Kelley during her time as weekend anchor news for KLST in San Angelo, Texas.

Photo courtesy of Jenna Kelley

“Right now there’s nothing I’ve been super accomplished at,” she says. “It’s just I keep seeing myself improving and getting more comfortable in front of the camera.”

In the future, Kelley’s ultimate goal is to be at the round table at E! News.

“I always knew that was the route I wanted to go, somewhere within the entertainment business, and once I started doing internships, I realized I do want to be on-air,” she says. “News wasn’t always that interesting to me, but I realized if I’m the one on-air and the one being the storyteller, I may be interested in it. Now I am actually interested in it.”

Q&A with Jenna Kelley

How did the Valencia EWM program prepare you for success in your career?

What’s so great about the EWM program is that it allowed me to be hands-on and the instructors let us, not roam free, but told us to go find our story, find our angle, interview them, get your pictures. We actually did what a journalist does on a day-to-day basis. In journalism, and especially in the job I’m in right now, you’re working even when you’re not working so you really have to love it.

What made your summer in the program memorable?

Fox Congo! No, I’m kidding. Honestly, meeting everyone is what made it so much fun. I’m still best friends with people from the program to this day. Just making connections and networking with people and finding out who people are and literally making life-long friendships.

Jenna Kelley during her time in Valencia, in front of the Plaza de la Virgen fountain.

Was the Valencia EWM program what you thought it would be or was it different?

It wasn’t what I thought it was going to be in the sense that it was better. It was more than what I expected because the classes show you all aspects of journalism through print media, and that was something I really wanted to learn. And it’s so much fun, I actually liked going to class, and the finished product is the coolest part of it all.

What advice would you give to students in the Valencia EWM program?

If you really like it, stick with it. You are not going to get paid a million dollars in your first job, but if you work really hard to get in the industry and you really like it, then be persistent and get involved with everything you possibly can. Build your resume. Make sure you have a website going with all your published work. Know your stuff, ask questions.

Ashley Tressel

From Valencia student to the Pentagon

For Ashley Tressel, FSU Valencia’s EWM program in 2015 was her first time overseas, and the experience also was the first real reporting experience that she had.

“It was more than I thought it would be,” Tressel says. “I knew I was going there to get writing experience, but I had no idea that my teachers would have so much experience and so many things to teach us that are different from the traditional classroom.”

Tressel got her first taste of what her future career would look like when she wrote a political piece for Nomadic Noles about the mayoral election that took place in 2015 in Valencia. Her first job after graduating from FSU in 2016 was with a twice-weekly newspaper in Mendocino County, California. After writing for a second daily newspaper in northern California, Tressel moved to Washington, D.C., where she works as an associate editor for Inside Defense, an independent, subscription-based newsletter that covers the U.S. military.

The publication’s audience is not the general public, she says, but is more defense contractors, lobbyists, and people in the services, “because they like to know what we are writing about them.” She reports from the Pentagon and Capitol Hill, specifically on the U.S. Army at the Department of Defense.

“It’s not anything I thought I ever would be doing even a year ago,” Tressel says. “When I was in California, I thought it would take me five years to get to D.C, and it only took me a year.”

She moved to D.C. to be a political reporter but finds it interesting her career has shifted more toward national security, which she can see herself in for some time.

Ashley Tressel on the "Government Matters" news segment for ABC7, WLJA DC.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Tressel

“I will definitely be doing my current job for a while,” she says. “I came to D.C. to be a political reporter, but now that I am closer to that environment, I’m not sure it is the type of life I want. I think it’s interesting that I fell into the field of national security because that is something I think I could stick with. Maybe I could go work in intelligence or government or as a contractor, something like that.” For now, her job has given her the most memorable moment of her career so far.

“Standing in the middle of the Pentagon, being there for a press conference, I still have to pinch myself sometimes because I never thought I would be getting to go in there as a member of the press,” Tressel says. “When I first stepped into the Pentagon, I thought, ‘Wow I’m here.’”

Q&A with Ashley Tressel

Why did you choose the EWM program?

Definitely because it gave me a chance to study in a different country. I knew that I needed to get some of my extracurricular activities going in terms of different experiences.

What made your time in Valencia so memorable?

The cultural experiences. That was my first time overseas, and just getting to see a whole different world, seeing Europe and Spain itself, experiencing the food and the people and the buildings; it was all amazing.

Did you travel much on the weekends?

I did, yes. My friends and I went to Portugal, Amsterdam, and Brussels, Belgium. Portugal was my favorite but I liked Brussels a lot—it was a close second. We took a really fun waffle-cooking class while we were in Brussels.

How did the FSU Valencia EWM program prepare you for your career?

The program was the closest experience I had to true reporting. Susan and Jack (the course instructors) taught me so much about editing, layout, what goes into actually reporting story from start to finish. I had never been given that instruction before in an FSU class. It was great to simulate a newsroom and put out an entire magazine together as a class.

What was your topic for the magazine?

I was the only student who was able to write on a political topic. I was really excited about that. I wrote about the mayoral election in Valencia, which I had no business writing about. I knew nothing about it. (Laughs) I think I actually put together a pretty nice design and article. I also was a student editor with two other students, so I helped everyone with their InDesign work.

Do you apply anything you learned during the program in your current job?

Oh, definitely. I learned what goes into the story, how to craft a lead, how to write out the rest of your story. Also I learned how to take your research and your interviews and plan everything. I had zero knowledge whatsoever of being an actual reporter and the program gave me that first go at it. From spelling and grammar to Associated Press style, to the ethics of interviewing someone, I owe Susan and Jack so much for being able to go into my next internship with more knowledge.

Why did you choose to go in your direction with your career?

I had an inkling before I went to Spain that I wanted to be a journalist. But going through the program, I thought, “Yeah, this is definitely what I want.” I was sitting in the classes with people who wanted to go into public relations or advertising, or any career that isn’t true reporting. That was great to be a part of that because everyone has their different goals and skills, but for me that was when I figured out I wanted to do journalism.

What advice would you give to students in the Valencia EWM program?

Take advantage of the opportunity and just ask whatever questions you may have. Take in the local drink, eat patatas bravas, travel anywhere you want—really enjoy your time. And live like a local.

Gail Levy

From Valencia student to TV reporter

Gail Levy, a native of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, participated in the EWM program in the summer of 2016 with Jenna Kelley. Besides her love for traveling to multiple countries, including France and the Netherlands, during her summer abroad, Levy gained knowledge in writing, Adobe Photoshop, and InDesign.

“Valencia offers a great program that’s getting kids in a small major out of the country,” Levy says. “You’re learning so much more than just editing, writing, and media, which I think is the best part of this program.”

Her love for being in front of the camera started in the fourth-grade, when students were allowed to host the morning show for her elementary school. So, the direction Levy took for her career is not a shock.

While attending FSU, she did internships at WCTV in Tallahassee and WPBF in Palm Beach, and she is now a multimedia journalist at WJHG/WECP in Panama City Beach, Florida.

“Every day is something different,” says Levy, who graduated in May 2018. “I don’t know what I‘m going to get when I head into that station.”

Her job consists of more than what most people imagine, she says, including pitching her own stories, carrying her own equipment—70 pounds of equipment—becoming an expert on the topic she is reporting on, and choosing the most important information to give to the public.

That is the hardest part, she says.

“I’m constantly talking to people and figuring out ‘what is he saying that I’m going to need to know?’ while I’m interviewing that person,” Levy says. “I like it a lot, but it’s a very challenging job.”

Gail Levy reporting live on a summer 2018 fire that destroyed 36 homes in Eastpoint, Florida.

After her two-year contract in Panama City Beach comes to a close, she hopes to be a TV Photos courtesy of Gail Levy reporter in her hometown, and then eventually become a national journalist. She knows making connections in her business is important for her future.

“It’s all about connections you make because that’s how you get somewhere,” Levy says with a laugh. “I hopefully will meet somebody who wants to give me my own show.”

Q&A with Gail Levy

How did the EWM program prepare you for your career?

Being in classes with Jack and Susan definitely helped me because they gave me a lot more confidence. I did a story on FSU archaeology Professor Juan Salazar when I was in Valencia. To actually get out and talk with Professor Salazar really helped me. I knew I wanted to be a journalist when I took the classes, but going through everything made me super proud. Then after, I thought, “You know what, I can do this. I’m fine. I’ve done this before; now let’s just do it with a camera.” It’s always good to have people who believe in you, and Jack and Susan believe in me.

What made your study abroad experience memorable?

I loved the traveling. Traveling all over was something that was important to me because through that you are also able to build more confidence. You realize “OK, I can get myself to Amsterdam, and I can get myself to France, and I’m going to be OK.” You don’t have to rely on your parents anymore. While in France, we were in Nice and we were able to go to Monaco, which are two of my favorite places in the world.

Why did you choose to participate in the program?

The program went hand-in-hand with my EWM studies, and it knocked some credits out of the way. But I knew I wanted to study abroad, and if I were able to go back and do it again, I would stay for the full summer.

One of the many views Gail Levy enjoyed during her travels abroad.

How was your experience of creating an issue of Nomadic Noles?

I had the best experience with Nomadic Noles. I got to work with Jack and Susan on my article and learn more about grammar and writing. Whatever I learned in elementary school, it’s just horrible. To get that time together really helped me. I recommend that to all students because that’s when they really take the time to be with you. When you’re in class, you have things going on after, and you want to get out right away, but taking that time outside of class to meet with them helped me with my article and really with my overall education.

Did you learn anything in the program you apply to your career?

Learning Photoshop really helped me learn about color balancing, because working in news reporting, you are your own camera person and you are your own editor. It’s really easy for a camera to be too yellow or too blue, so that allowed me to recognize that.

Why did you choose to go in the direction of your career?

Literally, since I was in fourth-grade I knew this was what I wanted to do. I loved being in front of the camera. Eventually I would like to host my own talk show. The news aspect is a really good foot in the door for me and I am learning all about the production end. But I picked EWM as my focus because I knew the track is really broad, and I’ve always liked English. I also was able to take courses through the communication school that were geared toward news reporting.

Why is Valencia an ideal location for the program?

Valencia is a smaller community. Everyone there knows the problems students might have while there, and they want to help you. They’ll speak English to you, and the people there are just so nice. And the location is great to travel wherever you want to go.

What advice would you give to EWM students?

Make the most of your time. Explore every second you have. Anything you can do, just do it. Just learn something new every day.

Victoria Messina

From Valencia student to POPSUGAR in New York City

Victoria Messina at Park Güell in Barcelona during a weekend adventure.

Victoria Messina took a different path than the other three featured Valencia alumnae. She studied abroad in the summer of 2014 through FSU’s rival school, the University of Florida. That summer was the first year International Programs offered the EWM program, and Messina wrote an article about the history of FSU Valencia’s study center buildings.

Messina, who moved to New York City after her spring 2016 graduation, landed a job at POPSUGAR, an online magazine, where her title is assistant editor of trending and viral features. At work, she covers a wide range of topics from food to celebrities to fashion trends and popular TV shows, such as The Bachelorette.

“Every day, I write anywhere from two to five articles, depending on how poppin’ things are, and I have to keep my eyes peeled on the internet at all times—think: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and a few other sources—for my next story opportunity,” she says. “I really have to have my finger on the pulse of what’s ‘trending’ each day, and if it’s something our readers will care about, I write about it. Once I get an article pitch approved by a higher-up editor, it’s off to the races.”

In about an hour, Messina will write the copy, decide on a catchy headline, track down photos that the site is legally allowed to publish, and come up with witty captions for when the articles get shared on POPSUGAR’s official Facebook and Twitter pages.

Messina gravitated toward writing throughout school, saying that while her friends in high school dreaded English essay assignments, she “looked forward to putting my own words and quirky writing style on paper.” In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UF and her work with Her Campus throughout her time in college, Messina wrote for The Independent Florida Alligator and was a student reporter and editor for WUFT, Gainesville’s public television station.

“As nerdy as it sounds, crafting creative sentences that flow and paint a picture for the reader is something that gives me a lot of joy,” she says. “I knew that going into the writing field was a risky move because it’s known to be not too lucrative compared to other fields, but it’s been so worth it because I really look forward to my job every day.”

Her first, ‘Wow, I’ve made it’ moment was when she was a panelist alongside other Her Campus female editors at the Her Conference event in summer 2017.

“It blew my mind that so many college students who attended the conference wanted to hear about my job and my advice for getting into the media industry,” says Messina, who was editor of Her Campus at UF. “It was such an awesome opportunity to represent POPSUGAR among other big names in the industry, like Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, and Buzzfeed.”

Q&A with Victoria Messina

How did the Valencia EWM program prepare you for success in your career?

The EWM program gave me a huge confidence boost in my writing and interviewing skills as I headed into my last year of college. I don’t think I would have made it to the Big Apple if I hadn’t had that summer to solidify my capabilities. I chose to interview the overall program director, Ignacio Messana, for my newsletter article, which was pretty intimidating at first. But it taught me how to be more professional and flexible because he was so busy and I had to work around his schedule.

What made your summer memorable?

I still talk about the program to this day, and it was memorable for so many reasons. Besides the fact that I had the opportunity to explore a beautiful city and was surrounded by such rich culture (and amazing food!) for an entire month, it was so fascinating to go to class and live in such historical buildings. Also, it was really gratifying to get the print version of the newsletter a few months later because I can relive the program just by flipping through the pages.

Why should FSU Valencia continue to offer the EWM program for students?

I did a lottttt of research before deciding on the EWM program, and it’s one of the few options out there—or at least it was in 2014— that offers a writing-focused study abroad course. I appreciated that the EWM program was specifically made for students who were in EWM—or in my case, journalism—classes in college.

Messina standing in the middle of Plaza de la Virgen in Valencia, Spain.

What type of skillsets do you need to succeed in the program?

You definitely have to work fast so you can meet those quick deadlines because the program flies by in five short but sweet weeks. You should definitely be open to critiques from your classmates and teachers because their editorial suggestions can really help improve your final piece in the newsletter. Also, I think at least having a beginner-level knowledge of Adobe programs like Photoshop and InDesign is necessary because you’re responsible for creating those newsletter spreads and definitely want them to turn out pretty!

What advice would you give to students in the Valencia EWM program?

Push yourself to make your final piece something you’re truly proud of. The newsletter is such an awesome thing to show off to future employers during job interviews, so revise the article as much as you need to until you’re really, truly happy with it. Don’t take the easy way out, either. Pick a topic you’re passionate about, but also that you know will challenge you and take you out of your comfort zone a bit. Don’t just interview your friends for the article — meet someone new so you’re getting real interviewing experience.

Why do you think Valencia is an ideal location for the program to be held?


Valencia is absolutely teeming with history and culture. Between the Torres de Serranos, riverbed, Central Market, City of Arts and Sciences, and the beach, there are endless opportunities for immersing in the local culture. The location is so ideal because students are able to explore both Valencia and the surrounding countries with ease. I truly cannot suggest the EWM Valencia program enough — it’s one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made.