College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

Adi Schanie, a WKU junior and Mahurin Honors College student from Louisville, knew from a young age that she wanted to work in journalism.

“I have wanted to be a reporter since I was in third grade,” said Schanie, a Broadcasting major with minors in Marketing and Political Science. “I’ve always had a passion for holding the powerful accountable and sharing the stories of people doing amazing things in our community that often go unnoticed.”

When it was time to decide about where to go to college, Schanie said she knew she wanted to get into broadcast journalism and heard WKU had a great program.

“Tons of local news journalists in Louisville where I am from are WKU alumni. I looked at lots of colleges across the country but quickly realized there was an equally amazing program just down I-65,” Schanie explained.

Schanie decided not to wait until graduation day to get started. Instead, she rolled up her sleeves and started gaining experience on campus at News Channel 12 and The Extra Point as a freshman. Then, during her sophomore year, she took things a step further by jumping in headfirst at WDRB News in Louisville.

“During winter break of 2022, I interned at WDRB News. During this experience, I wrote for the shows, assisted reporters in the field and learned the ins and outs of the business. By the end of my internship, WDRB aired a story I pitched, wrote and voiced. They said this was the first time they had ever let an intern create a story that aired on the newscast,” Schanie said.

“Following my internship, I was hired by the WDRB News team as a reporter. I report on air full time over breaks, and freelance when I am back on the Hill. As a reporter in Louisville, I create a package and VOSOT [voice over sound on tape] to air five days a week. I am the youngest reporter at WDRB News.”

A natural both in front of and behind the camera, Schanie also won prestigious journalism awards from two organizations in 2023.

Schanie won for Best News Story, Best Digital Journalist and Best Television Reporter in the 2023 Kentucky Broadcasters Association Impact Awards. She also won a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Student Production Award for best talent in news or sports.

In March 2024, Schanie finished sixth in the Television News Competition of the 2023-2024 Hearst Journalism Awards Program.

“At News Channel 12, I have told stories of people on campus doing amazing things that may otherwise go unnoticed. Some of my favorites are the story of Atifa Kabuli, a refugee from Afghanistan and a WKU student. She was a doctor in Afghanistan, and since her medical license does not transfer over to the states, she is now in school at WKU to become a nurse. 

Another student I did a story on who was doing amazing things at WKU is Roderick Maul. He was a doctoral student who regularly took a handful of refugee children to play club soccer. He drove them, washed their clothes and bought them other things they needed for nothing in return,” Schanie said.

“At WBRB, I broke a story on the state's potential plan to tear down houses to build a bypass. One homeowner credits my story to helping her keep her home,” said Schanie.“I’ve reported live on many breaking news events from plane crashes to a bomb threat to the Kentucky State Capitol.

I generated nearly 223,000 WDRB.com page views in about four months. In that time, I’ve also built strong ties with the Kentuckiana community through telling stories compassionately and with integrity.”

Schanie credits faculty members at WKU for helping her get to this point in her career.

“My experience at News Channel 12 and the Extra Point had been completely invaluable. The opportunity to apply what you learn in the classroom is so important, especially in the broadcasting field. The shows mimic a real newsroom environment and prepared me to hit the ground running at my internship with WDRB News, which led to me getting my job,” Schanie said.

Schanie graduates from WKU next spring. After graduation, she plans to “live her dream” by continuing her work as a news reporter.

For more information about a major in Broadcasting from WKU, visit https://www.wku.edu/smc/degrees/broadcasting.php.