Breaking Barriers: UWG Alumna Shares Her Experience in Journalism, Content Creation Share this page
When you turn on the news, you’ll notice that a single newscast covers a multitude of various topics. From anchors reporting on local events to updates on the weather, every broadcast holds the power to change a life. For University of West Georgia alumna Daisy Gonzalez-Castaneda ’25, that power became something to wield.
During her time at UWG, she majored in mass communications with a concentration in journalism and a minor in finance. From an early age, journalism wasn’t simply a career path – it was a calling. She grew up captivated by the powerful female newscasters who graced television. These women didn’t just report what was happening in the world; they shaped how people would better understand it.
“I loved the confident women shown on TV, the way reporters instantly report on scene and the way the crew engages with the community,” Gonzalez-Castaneda said. “Most importantly, I admire the ability to share information that can inform, empower and connect people in real time.”
Gonzalez-Castaneda pursued her journalism aspirations by serving as a news anchor for WUTV, immersing herself in the rhythms of campus and community journalism. But as she settled into the role, she noticed something was missing. As a Latina who grew up watching Spanish-speaking news, she recognized that the non-English speaking residents of Carroll County were being left out of the conversation. She didn’t just identify the gap – she closed it by becoming the first multilingual news anchor for WUTV.
“Growing up bilingual, I always understood how powerful language can be in connecting with different communities,” she shared. “Anchoring in Spanish allowed me to share news with Spanish speakers in Carroll County in their native language, making the news more accessible to them.”
Sonya Barnes, general manager of WUTV and an adjunct instructor, notes that Gonzalez-Castaneda solidified the true meaning of experiential learning and embraced every opportunity that was offered to her.
“Daisy was one of the most tenacious and driven students I’ve had the privilege to mentor,” Barnes said. “Her relentless determination, infectious personality and genuine passion made it clear that nothing was going to stand in her way of achieving her goals.”
Among her journalism efforts, Gonzalez-Castaneda’s impact led her to serving as UWG’s School of Communications, Film and Media ambassador for incoming freshmen, channeling her passion through the vision of mentorship and guidance for the next generation of media professionals. That momentum carried her into bluestone, SCFM’s student-run public relations firm, where she served as the digital content creator, collaborating with the creative team to develop content strategies for local clients and produce graphics for social media platforms.
Like so many postgrads, Gonzalez-Castaneda found herself weighing competing ambitions and an unpredictable job market. Rather than stalling, she decided to make a major move.
“After graduation, I felt conflicted about choosing between broadcasting and public relations,” she stated. “Instead of waiting for an opportunity, I decided to create my own by starting a freelance business managing social media pages for small businesses.”
The freelance venture sharpened her entrepreneurial instincts and the purpose of building your own brand in a competitive market. It also gave her the confidence to reach out to UWG alumna and board of trustees member Amanda Lucey – CEO of marketing agency The Partnership, which has since merged into Alloy – who had previously awarded her a scholarship. By reaching out to Lucey, she expressed interest in opportunities at the agency, which ultimately led her to becoming a creative intern for the agency.
“Since then, I have extended my internship and transitioned from a creative intern to a social media intern,” Gonzalez-Castaneda said. “I help manage the company’s social media by creating engaging content, supporting campaign initiatives and contributing to the brand’s online presence.”
With a background of accolades and hard work behind her, Gonzalez-Castaneda is looking forward to what her future can give her. Her story is a testament to what becomes possible when you take your talent to the next level and refuse to wait for a seat at the table.
“I’m excited to see where my future endeavors take me and the impact I can make along the way,” she said.