As a fill-in anchor and reporter with KGET-TV, an NBC affiliate in Bakersfield, California, Christina Lopez is able to interact with her community and tell their stories. Since she was a young girl growing up in Visalia, Christina has always been a constant storyteller.
Christina graduated from PLNU in 2008 with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. After working in both broadcast and print newsroom in San Diego, Christina headed off to Berkeley where she completed her M.A. in Journalism at the University of California, Berkeley in 2012.
Christina anchors and reports for 17 News at Sunrise, the number one morning news program in Kern County. She’s been with the morning broadcast since September of 2015. Last October, Christina was given an opportunity to sit on the anchor desk as a fill-in anchor for a fellow co-anchor who recently announced her maternity leave.
When she’s not anchoring, Christina is reporting on enterprise story ideas, feature stories or covering breaking news. Other times, Christina can be seen producing the Noon broadcast covering stories ranging in scope and coverage from health to business and entertainment news.
“I enjoy the adrenaline of a busy newsroom, working under deadline, writing stories and making decisions that will affect the newscast daily,” said Lopez, a first-generation college graduate.
Christina’s other broadcast roles include serving as a Fellow with Disney ABC News. In that capacity, Christina produced pieces for Good Morning America, Nightline and worked as a digital reporter for ABC News Digital. Her time as a fellow concluded with an offer to work as an associate producer on ABC’s Primetime news magazine program 20/20.
As digital reporter, Christina earned an Edward R. Murrow Award for her coverage of volunteers rebuilding a neighborhood in Far Rockaway in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Christina earned her first opportunity to experience the reality of a local newsroom as an intern with KUSI-TV as a production assistant for Good Morning, San Diego, which developed into a job opportunity. “I felt prepared walking into KUSI every morning, in large part due to the knowledge and skills I learned at Loma through their broadcast journalism program.”
Getting to that early morning internship Christina says was a team effort. Her four roommates would each help wake her up when she ignored her alarm at 1:30 a.m. “They knew I was trying to accomplish a larger goal. Those girls were every part of my success at Loma — in and out of the classroom.”
After a semester studying abroad in London with the Literature and Communications Department, Christina was given a new life-changing situation. Two days before Christmas in 2006, Christina’s younger brother Andres was killed in a horrific car accident. During that painful experience, a dark depression began to develop. Christina’s strong friendships were part of her grieving process. Christina says she and her roommates prayed together. Counseling staff in the Wellness Center reached out to Christina during this isolating time while her professors comforted Christina and worked with her when her grief left her in danger of failing her classes. “God knew I needed my community at Loma during this time, now more than ever before.”
Christina stays connected with PLNU and says Communications Professor, Dr. Alan Hueth, is a constant pillar throughout her personal and professional development offering his professional advice, spiritual guidance and overall leadership.
“His mentoring goes deeper than a professor-student relationship. It's transcended career moves, job transitions and personal growth. I am thankful for Dr. Hueth and his commitment to his students — on and off campus.”
Another pillar is Rick Moncauskas, Media Operations manager within the Broadcast Journalism Department, who helped develop Christina’s on and off-camera skill set. Anytime Christina can return to the Loma campus for a visit, she makes it a point to stop and see these two men — both strong examples and blessings in her life.
“Now if only I can get that view from Flex Housing closer to my apartment here in Bakersfield!”
The Viewpoint
PLNU's university publication, the Viewpoint, seeks to contribute relevant and vital stories that grapple with life's profound questions from a uniquely Christian perspective. Through features, profiles, and news updates, the Viewpoint highlights stories of university alumni, staff, faculty, and students who are pursuing who they are called to be.