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From Buffalo to Baghdad, Stephanie Ramos has seen it all — and she’s probably talked about it on your television. As an ABC News correspondent based in New York City, Ramos is at the heart of the TV news industry. She’s also an army reserve major with 23 years of service and a deployment to Iraq under her belt.

Ramos visited Colgate on Tuesday, April 8, to discuss her path to success and offer advice to fellow storytellers. Dean of Students Dorsey Spencer and Administrative Department Coordinator Melissa Helmke-Davie collaborated to organize the event, which was sponsored by the Student Media Leadership Fund.

Ramos lunched with staff from the Maroon-News, Colgate’s student-run newspaper. She outlined her journey as a reporter, from her time in the NBC page program right after graduate school, to her years in local news markets in Topeka and Kansas City, and finally, to her current position with ABC.

That evening, Ramos spoke at the ALANA Cultural Center about the lessons she’s learned throughout her years on the job. She is both a guest anchor for various shows — Good Morning America and Nightline to name just two — and a researcher. Once the station catches wind of a story, Ramos will often travel to a site just hours (if not moments) before going on air.

Ramos’ work as a journalist in a fast-paced and demanding industry has shaped her understanding of creativity. “You don’t need endless freedom to be creative,” she says. “You need intention, purpose, focus, discipline, curiosity, and heart. Whether you’re painting, writing, composing, or reporting: the deadlines are not your enemy. Deadlines are important.”

But it’s not all about deadlines — it’s also about connection and authenticity, even under pressure.

“You’re not just in front of a camera, you’re building bridges of understanding. This is especially important when the stakes are really high,” explains Ramos. “Your creativity is not just an artistic skill. It’s a moral responsibility.”

Ramos has gotten to where she is now because of her grit and tenacity, which have helped her not only to impress employers, but also to excel in the field. Ramos’ advice for anyone looking to succeed in the news industry: “You ask the real questions. You listen. You keep going until they give you something honest.”

Ramos argues that the best reporters are those who genuinely care about the stories they cover and the people they interview. The secret to storytelling, according to Ramos, is compassion, as well as a commitment to the truth, which can also mean the emotional truth.

“Here’s a thing a lot of people get wrong about the news. Every story is somebody’s life. In order to get the right story, the good story, it’s a matter of connecting with that person,” says Ramos. “Having that intention when telling your stories will help you tell a better story. People can tell when you’re being fake. When you learn to make those stories sing, that’s when you tell the truth.”