For alumna Juanita Page ('04), making bold decisions defined her sophomore year of college. She declared a broadcasting major, joined the university's speech and debate team (without any prior experience) and competed in a campus-wide talent show.
After her talent show performance, Jeffrey McCune, UNL's associate director of forensics & debate at the time, approached Page and encouraged her to join the university's speech and debate team.
Page took a chance and joined the team. She went to her first competition before being able to practice with the team and, to her teammates' surprise, won her very first event—Page's ability to connect with audiences was undeniable.
While in college, Page became a two-time American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament Champion. Years later, in 2022, she was the first African American woman and Nebraskan to be honored with the American Forensics Association's National Speech Tournament Outstanding Alumni Award.
Page's foundation in speech and debate, along with the journalism department's cutting-edge resources, propelled her through her broadcasting major. In class, Page used Avid and Final Cut Pro editing software when many institutions were still relying on tape-to-tape systems.
"Nebraska's journalism department has always been at the forefront of the media industry and I wouldn't be where I am today without that," Page said.
Page won fifth place in the television news division at the 44th annual National Hearst Journalism Awards using that tape-to-tape system. It was the university's first national placement in the competition in 20 years.
This early exposure to advanced tools and innovative storytelling practices has proved to be invaluable in her current role at one of the world's top media companies.
"As a member of the speech and debate team, every week I traveled with the team across the nation, all with the intent of sharing fellow human stories through my interpretation," Page said. "Through Hearst and participating in the news division for the university, I learned that as a storyteller, you have the obligation to treat someone's story, someone's life, as if it were your own."
As the international programming and content manager at Warner Brothers Discovery, she drives "edutainment"—managing the factual portfolio for the company's flagship network, being the instrumental communicator across multiple project teams for programs such as Shark Week and Space Launch LIVE and serving as the crucial bridge between international programming teams and U.S. networks.
Page's passion for her role is rooted in creativity and purpose. She's driven by the like-minded people she surrounds herself with, knowing her experiences can help shape a narrative and that it's a blessing to be able to share her talents.
"The media industry in itself is such a competitive landscape, and everyone you know in the industry who makes it is without a doubt talented," Page said. "Knowing that I have people that look up to me and people that are proud of me makes me want to continue to share my creativity with the world."
Page has received numerous awards and honors throughout her professional career, including an Emmy Award for her voice-over work in the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) film collaboration, "Fair and Free", featuring former Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor.
Page is also a two-time recipient of the Discovery Communications John Hendricks Innovation Award, named after Discovery's founder, which recognizes innovative initiatives and spotlights stellar individuals and their contributions. Most recently, Page was named to the College of Journalism and Mass Communications Dean's Advisory Board.
Her advice to aspiring journalists and communicators is to be bold enough to seek out mentors (and internships) who encourage and challenge you and to, above all, embrace your authenticity.
"My best advice for students looking to make an impact in the media industry is to never be afraid to be your authentic self and share your authentic story," Page said. "Everyone can be a creator these days and you never know what will inspire the next big hit."
Did the Hearst Journalism Awards Program make an impact on you and your career? We’re interviewing alumni throughout the Hearst Awards season. Email CoJMC Marketing Communications Coordinator Kait Van Loon for an opportunity to be featured.
