Being in Washington, DC has its advantages. Case in point: American University School of Communication (AU SOC) students had the opportunity to engage directly with TMZ journalists and media industry veterans during the first American Forum event of the academic year.  

Continuing a tradition of taking advantage of the prominent pool of talent based in the nation’s capital for the benefit of students, professor Antoine Sanfuentes, in partnership with the American Forum, brought together Jacob Wasserman and Charlie Cotton, co-managing editors of TMZ DC, and Matt Bai, national affairs columnist for Rolling Stone magazine. Sanfuentes, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and former NBC News and CNN executive, moderated the conversation.  

For Sanfuentes, creating these opportunities for students is an intentional teaching approach. In his Media and Politics class this fall, students have heard directly from journalists including former Today correspondent Ann Curry, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, The Washington Post’s Mark Fisher and NPR’s Don Gonyea. Even better, the students are able to ask questions about everything from reporting styles to career advice. 

“If you want to learn how to be a journalist, you have to learn from the best,” said Sanfuentes, who leverages his own professional network in order to bring the impressive lineup to campus.  

The panel explored challenges of the changing relationship between politics and the media. There was an emphasis on how journalists and media outlets more broadly can reach audiences beyond traditional political news consumers. Wasserman and Cotton discussed TMZ’s political coverage from Capitol Hill, while Bai shared insights from his more than two decades of covering American politics. 

A large portion of the event was reserved for students to engage with panelists, and they were able to continue informal conversations after the event.  

Faith Startchia, SOC-CAS/BA ‘27, a Journalism and Literature double major, said that opportunities like this have helped her grow as a student and prepare her for her early career.  

“It means a lot as a journalist,” Startchia said. “It is teaching me how to grow in the profession before graduation.” Recent American Forum guests include Senior Washington Correspondent for MS NOW and co-host of The Weekend Eugene Daniels, journalist and podcaster Tara Palmeri, SOC/BA ‘08, and Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD).  

During her time at SOC, Startchia has attended a number of similar events showcasing professionals across different sectors. Faith said students should take all the opportunities they get to connect with professors and guest speakers.  

“Take every experience and run with it,” she said. “Connect with everyone that you can, especially professors. They all want to see you succeed”.  

While Sanfuentes also includes typical coursework in his syllabi, he truly believes that exposure to professionals in the field helps students develop professionally. In the past, when teaching different courses, he brought CNN’s Jim Acosta to campus and helped coordinate a special event on covering the White House featuring CNN anchor and former Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins and NBC White House Correspondent and Meet the Press host Kristen Welker.  

For prospective students, Starchia said her advice is simple: reach out, ask questions, and take advantage of the people who come through SOC. 

“These people that come to campus want to help,” she said. “They want to see you succeed and foster the experience you will have post-graduation and in your career.”