Amanda Rollins

Amanda Rollins, from Provo, was a physical education teacher with a passion for writing when she started at UVSC in 2004, pursuing a degree in elementary education. But what started as an interest in writing, soon took an unexpected turn when she inquired about a position at UVSC’s student newspaper, The College Times.

"They told me they didn’t need a writer, but could use a broadcast reporter for NetXNews,” Rollins said. “I thought I’d give it a try.”

Rollins reported and anchored for UVSC’s NetXNews for more than a year and in the process changed her major to communications. Rollins had never thought of pursuing a career in broadcast journalism prior to her experience with NetXNews, but now she can’t imagine herself doing anything else. “It changed my career path,” she said. “I fell in love with it and it just fits me.”

During her time as a UVSC reporter, Rollins interviewed people like John Stossell and the Ambassador of Singapore, among others. Rollins feels UVSC has made her marketable, and there is nowhere she would rather be gaining her experience from.

“I bleed green I think,” she said. “I’ve gained so much applicable work experience here, including camera skills, editing skills, producing skills, people skills, interview skills, poise, professionalism and a lot more confidence.”

On the side, Rollins also works part-time for the Provo City Police Department, working mainly with the Victim Advocate Program. She’s been able to produce videos that teach children how to be safe at school, serve on committees for public safety in the community and produce brochures and pamphlets for domestic violence awareness. In October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Rollins plans to produce a broadcast story for UVSC’s cable channel to raise awareness in the community.

It’s not just local businesses and organizations noticing Rollins. After auditioning with the number one news station in Kansas City, Mo., she was offered a position as a reporter with the station, but turned it down. I wasn’t ready to make the move,” she said. “Plus, I was only a junior. I wanted to finish my degree and see where it took me."

Rollins will graduate with a degree in integrated studies December 2006.