The Washington Journalism and Media Conference

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Faculty Advisor Staff

John Gossett

JOHN GOSSETT

John is the Broadcast Journalism Teacher and Director of Sports Broadcasting at Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Located just steps away from the University of Arkansas, John has built FHS TV into a nationally recognized program with students winning multiple Emmy’s along with numerous state awards. John is also a board member for the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association where his program serves as the Media Officer School. Originally from Dallas, Texas, John earned his B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and Masters in Education both from the University of Arkansas.

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Speakers

Annie Mae Weiss

ANNIE MAE WEISS

Arena Host, The Washington Capitals

Annie Mae is the Arena Host for the Washington Capitals NHL Team at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

This is her first season with the Capitals, and second season working for the NHL. Prior to joining Monumental Sports, Annie Mae worked for the Columbus Blue Jackets as a Broadcast Associate, creating feature stories, doing player interviews and hosting podcasts.

She also spent last summer working for the NHL in New York City on a show covering the Eastern and Western Conference Finals for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at just 23 years old.

For education, Annie Mae attended Penn State University’s College of Communications and majored in Broadcast Journalism while simultaneously working for the Penn State Hockey Team, NBC Sports and the Centre County Report.

Currently alongside working as a host, Annie Mae is a freelance content creator and broadcaster for Bleacher Report and FOX5 DC.

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Speakers

Megan Eichenberg

MEGAN EICHENBERG

Director of Communications & Publicity, The Washington Capitals

As director of communications & publicity for the National Hockey League’s Washington Capitals, Megan Eichenberg oversees corporate communications surrounding the team’s initiatives across marketing, business, charitable and community endeavors, and youth hockey development. As the Capitals primary media contact for “off-ice” programming, Eichenberg works with Capitals players and staff to spotlight the organization through local and national media coverage. Eichenberg also oversees the production of the team’s annual lifestyle magazine W, a publication for Capitals fans that is geared toward profiling Capitals players away from the ice.

Eichenberg has served in communications roles with the Capitals since 2012. Prior to her employment with the Capitals, she served in communications internship roles with Monumental Sports & Entertainment and the University of Mary Washington (UMW) as well as in a community relations role with USO-Metro. Eichenberg received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UMW and a master’s degree in sports industry management with a concentration in strategic marketing, communications and new media from Georgetown University.

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Speakers

Fareeha Rehman

FAREEHA REHMAN

MSNBC Platforms and Social Media Editor

Fareeha Rehman manages MSNBC’s digital platforms during the primetime broadcast. Before she returned to D.C., she was a digital producer at a local television news station KRON4 in San Francisco and KTLA in Los Angeles. She got her start in journalism at DC News Now and writing for District Fray Magazine.

Fareeha graduated from George Mason University in 2018 with a B.A. in Communication and a concentration in journalism, minoring in international/comparative studies. While at Mason,
Fareeha led the student newspaper, Fourth Estate, as co-editor-in-chief, and also served as president of the GMU chapter of Society of Professional Journalists.

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Speakers

Patrick Money

PATRICK MONEY

Director of Freshman Admissions, George Mason University

Patrick Money is the Director of Admissions for Freshman Recruitment for George Mason University. After starting as a student employee at the Admissions office in 2006, he has spent the last sixteen years as a member of the Mason Admissions family helping students and families find the right college destination.

Patrick is a Mason alumnus x 2 with a B.A in Psychology and his M.A in Higher Education Administration. If he is not attending a Washington Nationals game in D.C, you will find him overseeing domestic recruitment strategy and implementation, admissions data management, and freshmen application review for Mason. Being busy is a must, but his love for coffee carries him through most of the recruitment cycle!

One of his favorite memories was when he made his initial decision to come to Mason back in 2006 after he saw the Men’s basketball team reach the final four live at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.! (He still talks about it like it happened yesterday, and shows no signs of changing that!!)

Patrick has a passion for higher education and even more so for George Mason University and the opportunities for an access-driven enrollment strategy. Whether it be about equitable enrollment practices, or the best places to eat while on the recruitment trail, he is always ready for a lively discussion and hopes to share it with all those who are interested.

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Speakers

Carmella Boykin

CARMELLA BOYKIN

Associate Producer, The Washington Post TikTok Team

Carmella Boykin is an associate producer on The Washington Post TikTok team. She writes, shoots and edits news TikToks that often involve dancing to explain news topics. Previously, she worked as a local TV reporter in Rochester, NY where she started her TikTok account. Carmella joined the Post in December 2021 and holds a degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from Syracuse University.

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Speakers

Richard Todd Stafford

RICHARD TODD STAFFORD

Director of Communications, Honors College, George Mason University

Richard Todd Stafford is the Director of Communications in the Honors College at George Mason University. The Honors College gives the most motivated undergraduate students from all majors and backgrounds the support that inspires them to pursue their curiosity and undertake meaningful civic engagement and experiential learning opportunities. Dr. Stafford mentors and supervises the Honors College Communication team. Dr. Stafford has written, spoken, and taught extensively about cultural dimensions of climate change, energy, and the environment, including on the “Capitalism, Climate, and Culture” podcast, in the media, and at @richardtoddstafford on Instagram.

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Maggie Yanchulis

MAGGIE YANCHULIS

Social Media Manager, Washington Commanders

Maggie Yanchulis is the Social Media Manager for the Washington Commanders. She graduated from George Mason University in 2021 with a degree in Sport Management. She previously worked at Caesars Sportsbook and Major League Baseball, and has interned for Special Olympics and the Washington Spirit. She was raised in Northern Virginia with her three sisters and all have a deep love for DC sports teams – even during losing seasons. She gained a passion for social media by starting a Washington Nationals fan twitter account in high school, honoring her favorite Nat, Ryan Zimmerman.

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Speakers

Patty See

PATTY SEE

Freelance TV Producer

Patty See is a freelance television producer at ABC in Washington, D.C., covering general interest news stories. Previously she worked at German public broadcaster ZDF, Al Jazeera, and Fox News Channel, where she covered the Clinton and Bush White Houses. She holds a BA in English literature from George Mason University.

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Speakers

Nicholas Johnston

NICHOLAS JOHNSTON

Publisher, Axios

Nicholas Johnston is the Publisher of Axios, where he focuses primarily on Axios Pro and other major newsroom initiatives. Previously, he was Axios’ editor-in-chief where he led the entire Axios newsroom and the launch of Axios Local. Nick was previously managing editor at Bloomberg where he oversaw newsletters and breaking news coverage in Washington. He also served as a reporter for Bloomberg where he covered the White House, Capitol Hill and the 2008 presidential campaign. Nick began his journalism career at The Washington Post.