The 2024 SDSU Alumni Awards of Distinction gala is right around the corner! Join fellow alumni, family, friends, and members of the San Diego community on Saturday, April 20, at Coasterra to recognize and celebrate this year’s 11 honorees.
The awards are given biennially to distinguished alumni from each of SDSU's seven academic colleges and SDSU Imperial Valley who have made notable contributions to the university, the San Diego community, or California, nationally or internationally.
Tickets for the event are now on sale! For tickets, sponsorship availability, and additional information, visit sdsualumni.org/awards24 or contact Jen Ranallo at 619-594-ALUM (2586) or jranallo@sdsu.edu.
Meet This Year’s Host
This year, the gala will be emceed by SDSU alumna, ABC 10 reporter, and Emmy award-winning journalist Natay Holmes (‘12). Learn more about Natay and her SDSU journey below.
SDSU alumna Natay Holmes (‘12) is set to host the 2024 Alumni Awards of Distinction on April 20.
Q: What year did you graduate, and what did you study?
I graduated in May 2012 and studied Interdisciplinary Studies in three departments: Journalism & Media Studies, Television, Film & New Media, and Communications.
Q: What is your favorite memory from SDSU?
I have too many fun and wonderful memories from my time at SDSU, to name just one favorite memory. But I am grateful for the friendships I made during college. I know I have made life-long connections. One of those includes my significant other. We met at SDSU in a Political Science class.
Q: How have you used your SDSU education to achieve success after graduation?
I would say that my SDSU education did help me achieve success after graduation. I am several months shy of my 15-year mark of working in the journalism and news broadcasting industry.
After graduating from SDSU in 2012, Natay worked as a Morning News Producer for a local news station in San Diego.
Q: How do you stay connected to SDSU?
In recent years, I have participated in panels and spoken with journalism groups/ students on campus. I attend several SDSU men's basketball games each season. LET'S GO AZTECS!
I am a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Xi Omega (the San Diego graduate chapter) member. We collaborate with the undergraduate chapter at SDSU for numerous events, activities, and mentorship opportunities.
Q: What is your current job?
KGTV ABC 10News as a Reporter/Multi-Media Journalist.
Q: Describe what you do for work.
Natay currently works as a multimedia reporter for ABC 10 San Diego.
I give live reports from in the field or anchor newscasts. Gather and verify factual information regarding stories. Conduct live or recorded interviews. I also edit or assist in editing for multiple platforms.
Q: What made you decide to pursue a career in journalism?
Representation is everything. As a San Diego native, I grew up watching 10News. I knew I wanted a career in television/journalism after seeing former anchor Lisa Lake. Seeing her on the anchor desk sparked my interest in journalism and TV news. She inspired me to say, "I want to do that."
Q: What do you love most about your career?
I love that I get to share the stories of the people in my community. I get to highlight the amazing things happening in the neighborhood(s) I grew up in. A lot of people feel as if they don't have a voice. I'm grateful that I get to share their thoughts, concerns, and accomplishments. I'm able to give the voiceless a voice.
Natay is a proud SDSU alumna and looks forward to the fellow alumni she will meet while hosting the awards.
Q: What are you most excited about hosting the 2024 Alumni Awards of Distinction?
I'm most excited about meeting and networking with other SDSU alumni.
Q: Any other achievements/awards/accomplishments you'd like to share?
I am the 2022 NATAS-PSW Emmy Awards Winner in the Breaking News-Multiple Reports category.
Q: Any advice for current students/other alumni?
If you are passionate about working in a specific field, my advice would be to learn everything you can about that industry. My first job in journalism was not as a reporter. I worked behind the scenes as a writer and producer. I learned every aspect of the newsroom. At the same time, I learned how to shoot and edit video. This added to my skill set. I was better equipped when I became a reporter. I have been an asset to the newsroom because I have understood everyone's role and assisted when needed.