After graduating from SUNY Oswego with a degree in broadcasting and mass communication in 2021, New York City native Adriana Loh decided to build her career as a multimedia journalist with Spectrum News 1 in the Central New York area she had grown to love as a student.
“I chose to stay in the Upstate New York region because it felt like home to me –- the tight-knit communities, rich resources, the history and, of course, less traffic,” she said.
Since joining Spectrum in August 2022, Loh has focused on high-impact storytelling, including coverage of hate crimes and local protests and rallies. She sees her work in journalism and community reporting as essential within a democratic society.
"Journalism cultivates a feeling of belonging and a collective identity, linking neighbors through narratives and showcasing local successes," she said. "It aids in promoting civic participation and ensuring accountability of those in power, which in turn enhances community well-being."
Building a passion
Loh traces her passion for journalism and her early success in her career to her SUNY Oswego education.
“SUNY Oswego really inspired and supported me to be in the role I am in today,” she said. “Without its amazing faculty, clubs, organizations and the friendships I made along the way, none of this would ever have been possible.”
Loh arrived at SUNY Oswego as a cinema and screen studies major, but the university’s immersive media environment quickly drew her in front of the camera. She assumed leadership roles on campus, including serving as the public relations director for WNYO 88.9 FM, entertainment news anchor for WTOP-10 TV and a resident assistant at Oneida Hall. She joined Phi Sigma Sigma sorority and also worked at the on-campus box office.
After graduating from Oswego, Loh earned a master’s degree from Syracuse University and credited her educational experiences with launching her into the professional arena.
“My knowledge of local enterprises, urban infrastructure and having those pre-existing relationships developed through my internships and academic projects helped make a more seamless and effective transition from a student to a professional," she said.
Despite her busy schedule, the first-generation college graduate remains a dedicated alumna. By sharing her own experiences with current students, she hopes that she sets an example and inspires others to pursue their dreams. She recently returned to campus as a panelist for the university's Women’s Empowerment Summit, where she urged students to be their own biggest supporters.
Loh said she enjoys interacting with other Lakers through her work –- whether they are sources for stories, community members who follow her news stories or other journalists in her or other newsrooms in the region.
“It is amazing to see so many journalists and professionals who all graduated from the same university," she said. "It is really something we are able to bond over, whether it is knowing the same professor, having been in the same club or just having walked down the same halls and knowing we ended up together within the same workspace."
As she builds her career and life in the region, she realized how interconnected everyone is.
“Living in Upstate you really see how expansive it can be,” she said. “But the connections people have to their community make it feel close-knit. You don't feel all that far away from one another.”