University of Richmond journalism grads bring the latest news to the public eye
ALUMNI
Stacey Dec, Class of 2020
Stacey Dec credits her success as an editor at Politico to the curiosity she developed as a UR journalism and political science major. “Becoming a mini expert on legislation or a foreign country is super helpful in my day-to-day work where the news cycle changes so often,” she said. “Richmond fosters that drive for understanding, which in turn has taught me how to edit copy effectively."
Dec graduated in 2020 and landed her first job at the Washington Examiner, where she edited web content and later managed a team of web editors. Getting a job during the height of COVID was a significant achievement for this Loudoun County, Virginia, native. Two Spider alumni who worked at the news outlet and were part of her professional network assisted in her job search.
Reflecting on the four and a half years she spent working there, covering elections stands out the most to her. “Even though there were stressful nights, the adrenaline and excitement are why we become journalists in the first place,” she said.
Dec became a digital news editor for the D.C. affiliate of ABC News in November 2024, covering topics like the Trump administration’s first 100 days, before she began working at Politico last August. A Richmond alum filled her in on the hiring process and company culture before her interview. The conversation helped her transition into her new role.
“At some universities, you can get lost in the numbers,” Dec said. “At Richmond, you feel a real connection. We might be years and years apart, but when you encounter another Richmond grad, it’s meaningful.”
Eileen Pomeroy, Class of 2023
Remote contract work has enabled Eileen Pomeroy to travel the world, from Singapore to Seattle. She recently spent four months in Washington, D.C., conducting research for the Center for Journalism and Liberty as an intern. Before this, Pomeroy served as a speech writer for the Rockefeller Foundation in New York City for a year, adding another location to her globetrotting resume.
As a leadership studies major and Jepson Scholar, Pomeroy was drawn to journalism because of its influence on public policy. She sees herself as an advocate for stories that highlight the bigger picture. “I want to use my skills to create a bridge between policy makers and the public that could implement change,” she said.
Pomeroy was raised in a rural community in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, but grew up with an eye to the world. She was influenced by her professor father, who listened to NPR, watched CNN, and subscribed to local newspapers.
In the fall of 2022, Pomeroy interned at Chalkbeat Chicago, a publication that specializes in equity-focused education reporting. Chalkbeat is known for going beyond traditional daily news, examining issues such as disability service programs and school policing in Chicago public schools.
Pomeroy studied health care policy and practice at Oxford University in England while she was a UR student. She later returned to pursue a master’s in public policy from Oxford after receiving her undergraduate degree in 2023.
“The faculty at Richmond is the best, especially the journalism professors,” Pomeroy said. “They told me, ‘We know you. We think you’d be a great fit for the Oxford program. You should do this.’”
Madyson Fitzgerald, Class of 2023
When Madyson Fitzgerald, a leadership studies and journalism major, got her first job in 2023 with Stateline, a daily news outlet that focuses on state legislation. It was her work for the Collegian, UR’s student newspaper, that helped her stand out. She had won an award from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Fitzgerald had previously interned with the Richmond Times-Dispatch as a metro news intern. Twenty of her stories landed on the front page of the Times-Dispatch. The Associated Press picked up two that subsequently ran in The Washington Post and other media outlets.
In her current position as a content producer and staff writer at Stateline, Fitzgerald compiles a policy newsletter. “Our mission is to spot policy trends across the entire country,” she said. “What’s going on in other states can inform what could happen in your own state.”
Her interest in technology has enabled her to report on social justice issues such as the digital divide, referring to the thousands of households across the country without internet access. “Our newsroom is online,” she points out. “While we can read it, so many others don’t have access.”
A former president of the Jepson Student Government Association, Fitzgerald relies heavily on her leadership skills, the values modeled by her professors, and her storytelling ability to highlight important topics. “What trickles down from the federal government to states, cities, and towns would go unnoticed without the work of journalists,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m glad to be a part of it.”