Taylor Deckert (’19) brings the news to Sioux City

Taylor Deckert (’19) has experienced more major life changes in a month than most people do in years. First, she graduated with a degree in Communication Studies, Broadcasting, and Electronic Media. Then, just days after crossing the stage, she crossed time zones – moving from her hometown of Raleigh to a new job in Sioux City, South Dakota.

Deckert is currently a Multimedia Journalist with Siouxland News for KMEG14 and FOX44, where she says, “Every day is a new adventure. 

From court rooms to construction zones, and even a dunk tank, I never know what the day will hold or who I will meet.” 

Sioux City is a smaller designated market area (DMA), which will allow Deckert to explore as many avenues of journalism as she can. “Short term plans are to gain as much experience in my first market as I can. By making the choice to move to a smaller DMA, I get the chance to be more hands on in the whole newsroom by the end of my contract,” she said.

When deciding what to study at Campbell, Deckert put her values first. “I want my outcome to better someone else’s life,” she said. “I figured broadcasting would be the perfect fit because you are the communication to the public about issues [and] events…the network you build around this career was so eye opening to me.” 

Deckert began building her network while she was still a student. “I held leadership roles in my sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, was on multiple committees for Campus Activities Board, was a broadcasting intern for Campbell Athletics, but most importantly was a student reporter for Campbell Now TV and a morning co-host for Wake Up CU. That was what gave me the push of ‘I want to do this forever!’” she said. She credits Brian Bowman, Communications professor, “for being my ‘school dad’ on trips for media and pushing me to always be successful. Campbell Now wouldn’t be what it is today without his dedication to the program.” 

“When I came to Campbell the summer of 2015, I would have never seen myself growing and experiencing everything that I did,” Deckert said. “It was a dream come true walking across the stage at graduation looking out at my family, my soon to be life-long friends, and my amazing professors who were there for me through everything along the way. I want to thank all of the communication studies professors for investing in me and believing in me.”

Follow Deckert’s work on Facebook and Twitter for more.