American University SOC is a school that that inspires innovative minds and nurtures students by helping them develop the critical thinking and practical skills to realize the purposes they want to pursue. Back when I was a student, and dinosaurs roamed Ward Circle, I got my first job at CBS through an SOC professor who told me the Washington Bureau were looking for a weekend desk assistant. All my professors showed flexibility when I got a job on the evening news as a secretary. The breaking news back then was Watergate. I somehow found myself looking through the mail slot in John Dean’s door, asking him if he would come out to speak to us. I was the only one in the newsroom when the Saturday Night Massacre happened, I took the call. And then I went home to my dorm at AU. 

Many SOC students, like Alyssa Bradley, Anna Moneymaker, Aubrey Gelpieryn, David Lim, Maximiliana Wynne, embrace this one-foot-on-campus, one-foot-on-the-job lifestyle. It gives them a running start before they launch into their careers, and helps propel them father and faster, as proven by these young alumni. It also exposes them early to the idea that working in media is not about staying in your lane. We can all learn techniques and develop skills that are valuable across platforms and formats, and we can continue to grow and evolve the ways in which we apply our talents to our values.  

SOC has always been ready to support those with drive and a clear vision of the future they want to invent and inhabit. I know that professors and staff still provide tips about job opportunities, draft letters of recommendation, and make introductions to give students a leg up. I know that alumni like me get a thrill out of seeing our fellow Eagles on the news, or knowing they are behind the scenes shooting photos, writing scripts and speeches, and creating impactful social media campaigns – and we brag on them. I know that we are eager to mentor our current or future SOC colleagues to continue our proud tradition of lifting each other up.  

I forged a path through journalism, from intern, reporter, producer, executive producer (you get the picture) to eventually president of CBS News. But I also founded See it Now Studios in 2021 to produce premium docuseries and documentaries, a deeply meaningful way to tell important stories that should be heard. I look forward to watching these SOC 30 Under 30 honorees and following their paths, wherever they may take them. The future is bright! 

Alyssa Bradley

Communications Director, Jocelyn Benson for Governor  

PR & Strategic Communication, 2020 

Alyssa is a communications professional with a proven track record in political strategy and communications management. A 2020 graduate of American University's School of Communication with a degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communications, she began her career at Fenton Communications, honing her expertise in strategic messaging and public relations. She then joined the Michigan Democratic Party, contributing to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's successful reelection campaign as Rapid Response Director. 

In 2024, Alyssa played a pivotal role as the sole communications lead on the ground for President Biden’s successful showing in South Carolina's first-in-the-nation presidential primary. Following this, she returned to Michigan to serve as Communications Director for President Biden's (then Vice President Harris’) Michigan operation, spearheading efforts to engage voters and amplify the campaign's message in a critical battleground state. 

Anna Moneymaker

Getty Images Staff Photographer 

Film & Media Arts, 2018 

Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Anna Moneymaker is a Getty Images staff photographer in Washington, DC. She joined the staff of Getty Images in 2021 and covers national news and politics. Moneymaker received her bachelor’s degree from American University in 2018, with a major in film in media arts and minor in international studies. 

From July 2019 until June 2020 she covered Capitol Hill and the White House as a photojournalist intern for The New York Times. Since joining the staff of Getty Images in May 2021 she has covered numerous national news stories including the Surfside Condo Collapse, the Senate confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Glenn Youngkin’s Gubernatorial race, and most recently the 2024 Presidential race. 

Aubrey Gelpieryn 

Producer, CBS Mornings Plus (CBS News/Paramount) 

Broadcast Journalism & Political Science, 2018

As a journalist, Aubrey is most passionate about finding ways to get younger audiences engaged with the news. At CBS News, she has covered just about every major news event from the past three years, producing segments ranging from interviews with members of Congress about the TikTok ban to enterprise stories about the rising popularity of cassette tapes. 

She has also been active in the field, producing long-form packages that use character-driven stories to address topics such as inflation, police reform and COVID’s impact on the workplace, as well as reporting and MMJing packages for CBSNews.com that have included a look at the experience of migrants arriving in NYC, a breakdown of the SAT's transition to a digital format and an investigative piece on the national substitute teacher shortage. 

David Lim 

Health Reporter, Politico 

Economics & Print Journalism, 2016

David Lim is a health care reporter at POLITICO focused on covering the policy, regulation and politics that affect the medical device industry and the Food and Drug Administration. Before joining POLITICO, David helped launch Industry Dive’s MedTech Dive and worked at Inside Washington Publishers’ FDA Week. A fan of the Mountain Goats, he enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and rock climbing in his spare time. David graduated from American University with a double major in economics and journalism. 

Maximiliana Wynne 

Program Coordinator/GLC/DOS 

Communication Studies, 2018

Maximiliana Wynne is the Program Coordinator for the Global Issues Program at the Department of State's School of Professional and Area Studies. Before joining the Foreign Service Institute, she was the Content Manager at a French SaaS startup and a Public Affairs intern at the U.S. Embassy in Paris. Maximiliana holds a B.A. in Communications Studies with a minor in Philosophy from American University, an M.A. in Global Communications from the American University in Paris, and has undertaken coursework in International Security and Intelligence at Cambridge University. Her keen passion for international security is reflected in her contributions to esteemed academic journals, including West Point's Modern War Institute, the National Interest, and Strategy, Defense, and Foreign Affairs. 

As part of the School of Communication at American University’s 30th Anniversary celebration, we are excited to recognize the incredible accomplishments of our alumni community. To mark this incredible milestone, we are honoring “30 Under 30” exceptional young alumni who represent the future of communication. We will be releasing the names of the honorees over the coming months accompanied by introductions from some of SOC’s most engaged alumni who are leaders in the industries the “30 Under 30” are now helping to shape. The full list will be available in May 2025.