Felipe Cisternas
Felipe is a graduate-level student at the University of Alabama. He is studying his master’s degree in journalism. He has many hobbies. He enjoys reading, writing, spending time with his family, and also likes going to the movies. He likes going to the mall with his friends. He also likes to watch sports events and attend soccer games. His favorite sport to cover and write on is soccer. He is a good and effective team player when needed for an assignment. He is loyal and trustworthy. He enjoys journalism because as he grew up, he liked to write narratives and combined his love for writing with his passion for always remaining up to date on the news. He likes to learn new things he can add to his journalism skillset.
Julia Nolen
Julia Nolen is a current graduate student at the University of Alabama, pursuing her Masters Degree in Secondary Education for English Language Arts (ELA). She graduated last May with her Bachelors Degree also in Secondary Education ELA from UA. She is from the small town of Fayette, Alabama, which is about 45 minutes from Tuscaloosa. She currently lives in Tuscaloosa, but plans to move to Madison, Alabama post-graduation to begin her first teaching job and to get married in December!
She loves Jesus with all of her heart, has the best family and friends in the world, is passionate about all things reading and writing, and loves to twirl. She was a Crimsonette with the Million Dollar Band at UA for her four years of undergraduate work and continues to pursue her dreams of teaching baton. Julia is new to the world of journalism, but enjoys learning new things and new skills that she can integrate into her future classroom!
Tamika Alexander
Tamika received a degree in Communications from the University of Alabama and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Journalism and Creative Media at the University of Alabama. Tamika is an award-winning journalist who is the Senior News Anchor at WVUA 23. She is an active member of several organizations in her hometown of Tuscaloosa. She loves journalism because it gives her a chance to tell the stories of others. She is looking forward to completing the master’s program. This degree will help her become a more accomplished journalist while also getting the chance to teach the next generation of journalists. Outside of her professional interests, she loves being mom to her son Jayden, traveling, shopping, and cooking.
Be Davis
Be Davis is an award-winning filmmaker and journalist and current full time Journalism and Creative Media Master’s student at the University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences. Davis’s experience includes NBC newsroom producer/reporter, Turner television programming producer/director, Leaf Group content writer, Summit Media daily reporter, Cox Radio host/producer, Media for Health producer/host, and Warner Television producer.
Davis graduated with a bachelor’s degree with honors in broadcast communications. Davis’s honor’s thesis film used media for social awareness and included interviews and survey results from imprisoned Alabama violent offenders, about discipline and peer pressure. Davis was a senior staff writer for the newspaper, chairman/co-founder of the UAB Film Club, and online radio news director. Davis has volunteered for various nonprofits, including recently as past president of Women in Film and TV (WIFT) AL, founding director of Bham WIFT, vice president of BABJ, member of Alabama Media Professionals, Society of Professional Journalists-Freelancers and National Association of Black Journalists.
C. W. Sistrunk
C. W. Sistrunk is a conqueror of domestic violence who has lived abuse-free for 18 years permanently breaking the generational cycle of abuse in her family. 2022 marked 40 years since witnessing the loss of her mother to domestic violence. In remembrance of her mother’s life, and in celebration of the many courageous women who have regained control of their lives, Catina proudly uses her voice as a weapon against domestic violence. Strengthened by a God-given resolve, Catina seeks to help as many women and children as possible escape the violent homes that hold them captive through volunteer work and her podcast “You Can Make It: Breaking the Cycle of Abuse. Catina holds a master’s in English Studies from Auburn University at Montgomery and is currently pursuing a master’s in Journalism and Creative Media at the University of Alabama. Married to Keith, they enjoy a blended family of six adult children and seven grandchildren.