Local native becomes bureau chief for ABC network news

19-year-old Emily Graham has become the bureau chief of ABC News on the campus of Arizon State University according to PR.com. Graham will oversee a staff of students at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications as they report on stories relevant to the Western US. These stories will be used throughout ABC bureaus on platforms including “Good Morning America” and ABC News Radio. ABC partnered with the Cronkite School and four other college journalism programs in the hopes that they could catch younger viewers. The partnership helps the news staff at these schools gain hands-on experience and network-level mentorship.

Emily Graham – described as a polite, yet aggressive girl with a strong work ethic – sought out every opportunity in Phoenix not long after arriving at the school two years ago. She’s experienced the news industry through many “real world” experiences through all sorts of facets including, camera and production crew, assignment editor, radio show host, investigative reporter and a month-long gig as an international multimedia reporter in South Africa.

In Pittsburgh, Graham spent her free time volunteering for Special Olympics, the Carnegie Science Center, WQED and WDUQ and visits home as much as possible. She’s expected to graduate in May 2009.