For alumna Hunter Elyse (B.A. ’18), the dream of being a news anchor started long before attending 91 to earn a degree in broadcast journalism. At just seven years old, Elyse knew she wanted to deliver the news in front of the camera.

Now sharing stories in Oklahoma, Elyse anchors at , the NBC affiliate for Oklahoma City. She worked her way through several markets in different states before landing in OK. 

image shows Hunter on screen
Hunter Elyse reporting for KFOR

“I worked at ABC7 Los Angeles for a year before moving to Monroe, Louisiana as a reporter, and quickly moved up to the morning anchor. After nearly four years there, I packed up and moved to Oklahoma City where I recently just re-signed another contract for the 4 a.m. anchor/reporter position!” said Elyse. “I use what I learned at Biola every day. From live shots to script writing, I can’t thank Biola enough for helping me get to where I am today.”

News anchoring and reporting mean more than just delivering the news; it means investigating, relationship building and using resources to help the community. Elyse has had many opportunities to serve her community through her anchoring position.

She won an Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters award for the of her news station, KFOR, taking the Oklahoma State Department of Education to court for not allowing her and her fellow reporters into the pressroom at the state school board meetings. She also helped a family clear . The job's wide range of tasks allows her to connect with people in the community about events and sports, including Oklahoma City’s .

Elyse grew her skills at Biola while she was studying to earn her bachelor of arts in journalism and integrated media, a program now available through the B.A. in Communication degree in the School of Fine Arts and Communication. In broadcast journalism classes held in Studio B in the Biola Production Center, Elyse learned how to film a proper stand-up shot, conduct interviews and edit news packages. While she was a student, Elyse also served on the team, Biola’s student news broadcast.

“My time at Biola was very rewarding and prepared me for the TV news industry well. I jumped right into EagleVision News as a freshman and spent countless hours in Studio B learning the ins and outs of news,” said Elyse. “While at Biola, I interned at Entertainment Tonight and Fox News, getting a grasp on the ‘real life’ parts of the industry. I graduated feeling prepared, ready to use everything I learned in Studio B, and pursue a career I had been working on for four years.”

Stewart Oleson, associate professor of journalism and broadcast journalism and EagleVision News adviser, speaks highly of his student's growth.

“[She] is the talented and driven Hunter Elyse,” said Oleson. “[She is] thrilled with her career. As I am. It all started in Studio B. Hunter worked and worked and worked on her skills when she was here.”

Designed to equip students for success in a wide range of career fields, the B.A. in Communication enhances students’ effectiveness as interpersonal and intercultural communicators, on the screen, on paper and beyond. Learn more and apply today.

Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations specialist. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.