Doing What She Loves in Alaska

By Alex Weakley

Christina (Bebo Maldonado) Campbell (B.S. 88) received her degree from ENMU in broadcast journalism with a minor in speech. She continued her education at Mississippi State with a bachelor of science in geosciences (meteorology).

“I chose ENMU because I had heard of the great broadcast journalism program they had and when I visited the campus, I saw firsthand that they did have a great program. My time at Eastern was wonderful from day one till the end and I hope that one day my kids choose to attend ENMU as well.”

Currently, Christina is a meteorologist at KTVA-TV in Anchorage, Alaska. She has been working in broadcasting in radio and television since graduating from ENMU.

Because of the training that she received at Eastern, Christina had no problem finding and keeping a job in the broadcasting field after graduating.

Christina remembers receiving several ENMU scholarships and says that they helped her tremendously, especially since she had to work every weekend as a waitress to pay for college. “I found that ENMU’s tuition was reasonable compared to other colleges. Scholarships in any amount are always worth getting, and even though I did have to take out a few student loans, I’m thankful to have paid them back. I couldn’t even imagine my life if I had not attended Eastern.”

Christina said she not only learned academically, but she grew emotionally, physically, and socially in so many ways. She said because of the small-town setting, it forced her to get involved with campus life. “Involvement in college is crucial because it allows you to develop support groups that ultimately keep you going when the going gets tough.”

ENMU was the perfect size for Christina because it was small enough for her to get involved without feeling like she had to compete with thousands of students, but big enough so that she could always meet someone new.

While Christina attended ENMU she was involved with Chi Omega, Enchanters Dance Team, ASAB and what she considers most important—the ENMU Speech and Debate Team. “The speech team really helped me to discover myself and my opinions. It allowed for me to have a voice and changed my world while also making me a better broadcaster.”

Christina said her favorite professors were and always will be Dr. Anthony Schroeder and Dr. Timothy Ashmore. “They made such an impact in my life that I will never be able to repay them. They both believed in me and my potential.”

“I will always have my foot in broadcasting, and when I get too old for TV, I’ll continue in radio.”

Currently, she has a small advertising agency where she writes and produces TV and radio ads for a small list of clients. “Someday, when my kids head off to college, I would love to do this full time,” she said.

Christina said that one of her greatest accomplishments was when she was offered a TV meteorology broadcasting job in Chicago (a top three market). But at that point in her life she felt like she really didn’t want to leave the family life she had in Anchorage, Alaska.

“It killed me to not leap through a window of opportunity that may not come again, but I have no regrets. It did my soul good to be asked, and it did my soul even better to know what I really wanted so I was able to say no thank you.”

Christina has also received several local Goldie Awards through the Alaska Broadcaster’s Association including Best Entertainment Series, Best Comedy Series and Best Promotional Series, to name just a few.

“I met my best friends who to this day are still my best friends at ENMU.” Christina said they helped shape who she is today and that she would hate to think of not ever having met them if she had chosen another college.