About - Allyson Ritchey

A little bit about me...

Learn about who I am or jump to directly to my resume at the bottom of this page.

Learn more about my thesis project above.

Broadly, I am a graduate student at Bowling Green State University in Ohio where I am in my last year of my master's in media and communication. I am currently working on my thesis titled "Just Sentences: A Guide to Ethical Broadcast Coverage of Prisons."

I was 11 when my father suddenly disappeared into the carceral system. Now, at 23, I successfully defended my thesis proposal examining how journalism is complicit in creating that same disappearance on a mass scale. The real work has begin: building the first guide for ethical broadcast coverage of prisons.

I think I work in the best office on campus: BGSU's Center for Faculty Excellence. At the CFE, I support the educators who are shaping the next generation through marketing and content creation. I manage our digital presence—producing videos, designing workshop materials and growing our social media engagement—making teaching innovation visible across campus.

What makes this work fulfilling is that I'm not just promoting events; I'm promoting ideas. Every workshop, teaching strategy and story we share has the potential to transform classroom experiences. The CFE has deepened my understanding of pedagogy and directly informs my own teaching practice and thesis work on ethical journalism education.

Check us out! We met BGSU's Pudge!

I was a busy bee at my undergraduate university, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, where I double majored in Sociology and Communication, Journalism and Media. Swipe through the gallery below to see some of my favorite moments from my time at Shippensburg University.

Covering CPAC as a Student Journalist

My first time covering a massive event, at CPAC alongside some colleagues from Shippensburg University

Interviewing the Governor of PA

In this photo, a colleague from The Slate and I sat down for an interview with Governor Josh Shapiro.

Photographing Square Dancing

In my second year as an intern with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, I am pictured here shooting photos of square dancing.

2023 Student Keystone Media Awards

The Slate team and I walked away with some hardware at my first Keystone Media Award ceremony.

My First Time Abroad

I did a summer class in northern France. I got to travel blog my experiences from France in The Slate.

State Park Summer

One of the best summers of my life, I interned with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Press Club of Western Pennsylvania Scholarship Winner

At the tail end of my sophomore year, I was recognized by the Press Club of Western PA with a scholarship.

My Final Farm Show

I interned at the Pennsylvania Farm Show for three amazing years.

In the Governor's Residence

My senior year I was a digital intern with the Office of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

All Girls Broadcast

My senior year I created the first Shippensburg University All Girls Broadcast as the last basketball game of the season for Women's History Month. This is now still a tradition that is carried on.

Sociology Department Awards

I am thankful to have received two awards from the Sociology Department.

Senior Awards Banquet

I was the inaugural recipient of the Communication, Journalism and Media Department's CJM Achievement Award.

2024 Student Keystone Media Awards

My fellow students and I took home several awards at my final Student Keystone Media Awards.

Shippensburg University Television

Throughout my time at Shippensburg University, I held various roles with SUTV.

2024 Graduation

I graduated summa cum laude from Shippensburg University in May 2024 with dual degrees in Sociology and Communication, Journalism and Media, a minor in Women's and Gender Studies and a certificate in Ethnic Studies.

Honors Student

I was a member of the Wood Honor's College where I created a full-length documentary about mis- and disinformation in post-truth America.

Homecoming Royalty

My senior year I raised over $2,000 for the student emergency fund, helping 5 student remain at Shippensburg University. Because of this, I was named homecoming royalty.

If I'm not at the CFE, I'm doing something for BG Falcon Media, where I am honored to be the Executive Producer for the BG24 newscast.

I'm proud to have helped bring the newscast back to life at BGSU—and keep it growing week after week. In this role, I oversee all aspects of the student-run newscast:

Develop weekly production schedules, news budgets and rundowns to ensure consistent, high-quality broadcasts.

Recruit and mentor a growing team of anchors, reporters, producers and crew members.

Lead editorial meetings and provide guidance on story development, scripting and shot coordination to maintain journalistic integrity and on-air readiness.

Thankful for my crew week to week! It would not be possible without all of them!

Résumé

Contact

Whether it’s reporting, research or real talk—I’d love to hear from you. Message me on social media or with the form below:

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