Maria Neiswender MA '21
Maria Neiswender graduated from Rutgers University in 2022 with a master’s degree in Communications and Digital Media. Before attending Rutgers, she finished her bachelor’s in 3 years, graduating from Duquesne University in 2021 with a Communications Studies major. We learn about Maria utilizing her network and connecting to Rutgers alumni. She currently works as a Production associate for NFL Films.
Zack Morrison BA Journalism in Media Studies
Zack Morrison is a comedy writer and filmmaker from New Jersey. His work includes writing & directing the TV pilot, Canusa Street, and the Emmy-winning short musical, Everything’s Fine: A Panic Attack in D Major. He also has created sketches and celebrity videos for major brands like Buzzfeed, Tasty, Esquire, and MTV. Zack has also worked as a writers assistant and script coordinator in late night comedy, with past credits including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Kids Tonight Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and Saturday Night Live. Zack has a MFA in television writing from Columbia University, and a BA from Rutgers University where he double-majored in journalism/media studies and digital filmmaking. He is also a proud member of the Rutgers Cap & Skull Society.
Rachelle Legrand
On-Air Reporter | Social Media | Freelance Writer
Rachelle Legrand is an actor, TV reporter, and freelance writer located in the Greater New York City region. She is a recent graduate from the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University where she holds a M.A. in Television, Radio and Film. She is also a graduate from Rutgers University where she holds a B.A. in Journalism & Media Studies and Africana Studies.
Rachelle has performed on stages across the east coast most recently in Little Shop of Horrors with A.C.T. in Connecticut. She most recently appeared on television as the entertainment reporter for Juice and Java as and anchor/reporter for Mornings on the Hill for Syracuse local programming. Currently, Rachelle freelances for American Theatre Magazine.
William Liss
Reporter for 11Alive, WXIA
William Liss is an award-winning journalist and news anchor for 11Alive, WXIA. Bill has been with the network since 1989. He focuses his reporting on special assignments, along with covering consumer, financial, and legal developments. He writes and anchors the popular WXIA Senior Source vignette series that appears on WXIA/WATL and on the 11Alive website. Having been named Georgia Broadcaster of the Year in 2012, Bill has earned almost a dozen Emmy Awards and the Silver Circle Award from the Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Edward R. Murrow Team Investigative Reporting Award, plus reporting awards from the Associated Press, the Association of Black Journalists and the Atlanta Bar Association.
He is a graduate of Rutgers University, where he served on its Board of Trustees, and he holds a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University.
Yurrie Ro
Production Coordinator
Yurrie Ro is currently a production coordinator. Having graduated from SC&I as a Journalism & Media Studies major in 2017, she was able to land her first internship at NBCUniversal and working for Condé Nast, ViacomCBS, and now Gravity Media/Meta.
Diane Tryneski
Board Member & Advisor at HBO, Disney & Discovery Communications
Diane shares her experiences in film and media technology careers, having worked at Disney, ABC, Discovery, and HBO. Currently, she advises small startups, venture capital firms, and private equity as a media and technology advisor. Tryneski highlights the significance of being curious and technologically savvy, recommending students to focus on a diverse skill set, including business management, production, operations, distribution, and technology. She also emphasizes the importance of trusting instincts and confidence when starting a career.