July 2, 2021

By Jason Szelest From a young age, Keith Jenkins loved to write. He remembers in kindergarten, while other children would play with blocks and Legos, he would sit at a writing table, working on his penmanship. Before his teenage years, Jenkins had already begun to stand out as a writer, winning an essay contest in the sixth grade. “The first-, second- and third-place winners got to read their essays in front of the whole school,” Jenkins said. “I was hyped to read mine when the other two winners were so nervous. That’s when I really knew I loved to write, and I loved to speak.” Jenkins went on to major in journalism in UC’s College of Arts and Sciences, and become editor in chief of The News Record, UC’s student-run media organization. Today, he is a sports reporter for The Cincinnati Enquirer, where he covers UC athletics. But journalism was not the first career choice for Jenkins. His father played professional football, and his own accomplishments on the gridiron at Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati led to a football scholarship at the University of Toledo.

June 16, 2021

By Olive Collins Niesz Maija Zummo has lived the dream of every journalism student: She rose in the ranks of the publication that gave her a start as an intern to become its editor-in-chief. Since she graduated in 2006 from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in journalism, Zummo has become one of the best-known voices in Cincinnati journalism as editor-in-chief of Cincinnati’s alt-weekly publication, CityBeat. “Maija arrived at UC with a virtual suitcase full of skills, the creativity of polished poet, and the gumption and confidence to go after her dreams,” says Jenny Wohlfarth, UC educator journalism professor. Studying journalism wasn’t part of Zummo’s plans when she enrolled at UC. She intended to study Classics for her undergraduate degree and attend veterinary school for her graduate degree. Then she took a newswriting and reporting course and promptly fell in love with journalism.

June 12, 2024

In 2022, Disha Ray completed her Bachelor's in Honours History in India. With her sights set on a master's degree, Ray looked at options overseas to find a fit for her next stage of education at a high-level institute. That search led her to UC, where she found what she was looking for.

July 10, 2024

Azia Carnes, a 2019 University of Cincinnati graduate, always wanted to serve her community. She works with homeless youth.

September 20, 2024

LaTonya Springs has been around Cincinnati for a long time. A 2015 University of Cincinnati graduate, Springs has spent her time in and around Cincinnati, connecting with the people and learning about their lives and struggles, all with the hope of helping them fight for better conditions in the area. After starting her education, she was working full-time, which left her in a situation where finishing college didn’t make a lot of sense. However, once UC started a new program called Comeback Bearcat, Springs was able to come back and finish her undergraduate degree in communication, offered through the College of Arts and Sciences.

June 29, 2022

UC Alumni Sylvana Ross is saving bees and headed to Cornell University under fellowship where she will start her PhD program in entomology. She is a co-founder of the Queen City Pollinators Project.

January 2, 2025

UC College of Arts and Sciences student Stephanie Finoti won the fitness preliminary of the Miss America scholarship pageant.

February 7, 2025

Julianne Fernandez parlayed her experience as a University of Cincinnati geosciences student into a career that has taken her to the bottom of the world and thousands of feet beneath its surface.

May 28, 2025

When Monica Salatin finished her undergraduate program in media studies at CUNY Hunter, Macaulay Honors College, she knew she wanted to deepen her education in communications. So, when she received a full scholarship to study at UC’s Master of Communications program, she took the opportunity. While at UC, Salatin took advantage of the experiences the college had to offer, including conducting research, and a position with the marketing and communications office for the College of Arts and Sciences. These opportunities provided her with the hands-on experience she wanted, setting her up for her career.

May 19, 2023

University of Cincinnati doctoral graduate Sarah Wenner said lessons from the past can inform how we understand politics, society and culture today. The UC Classics alumna is studying the ancient city of Petra in Jordan as a National Endowment for the Humanities fellow.