Some people, God bless them, can keep up with the times. 

I am not one of those people. 

I am stuck in the 1980s, when we had “computer labs” in dedicated rooms that housed the five or six massive desktop units that everyone in the school used. I do not know if Tik Tok is a noun or a verb. I have never told an Instagram Story.  

So, it’s heartwarming to see that so many of our young AU alums, in contrast, are not just surviving, but thriving – and leading the way – in a media landscape that looks nothing like the one I entered almost 40 years ago. And I’m thus delighted to be part of the celebration of SOC’s 30 Under 30 honorees. Just read the bios of these five up-and-comers: Amanda Nyang'oro, Emily Eldridge Hall, Erin McGoff, Gabe Ferris, and Savannah McCann. Each of them has mastered the ever-changing media ecosystem to leave their mark at a young age. In this, I feel a kindred spirit with them. I was young – once. And elite work ethic, curiosity and a willingness to learn and be humble are traits that worked 40 years ago. They still do, today. And these alums have carved out successful paths for themselves the same way I was fortunate enough to do all those decades ago. No one gives you anything. You have to go out and earn it. And it started for all of us at AU. Developing and nurturing a passion on campus; building a network of fellow students and faculty; landing that first internship or part-time job; then putting in the work and building a track record – there’s a pathway to success, if you want to put the work in and not skip steps. From the music industry, to journalism, to film, each of these alumni have been adaptable across platforms and formats. Even in the Stone Age, when I went to AU, you had to get comfortable being uncomfortable and try different things. All these years later, SOC is still not only turning out top-tier professionals, but sending graduates into the world who will lead and transform the industries they join. 

Maybe one of them can teach me how to do a Facebook Reel. 

David Aldridge is a senior columnist for The Athletic. He has worked for nearly 30 years covering the NBA and other sports for Turner, ESPN, and the Washington Post. In 2016, he received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Legacy Award from the National Association of Black Journalists. In 2017, he was the recipient of the Neil Kerwin Alumni Achievement Award, which recognizes American University alumni who have distinguished themselves through their professional accomplishments. He lives in Washington, D.C.  

Amanda Nyang’oro

Brand Partnerships, Wasserman Music 

Public Relations & Strategic Communication, 2020  

Nyang’oro, originally from Tanzania, is passionate about uplifting African creatives and empowering them to build their brands within and beyond the continent. She’s currently at Wasserman Music, working with their Brand Partnerships team, facilitating collaborations between artists and brands to enhance their market presence. She is also an emerging content producer with a few projects under her belt — notably an animated television series called The Matumbilas which was screened at Pixar Studios and numerous festivals. Her career aim is to help build the infrastructure and network of agents needed to support the fast-growing creative and entertainment economy in Africa. She followed in her mother’s footsteps at American University and was honored to serve as the undergraduate commencement speaker for her class in 2020. 

Emily Eldridge Hall

Postproduction Supervisor 

Film & Media Arts, 2019

Emily Eldridge Hall is a TV post-production supervisor in Los Angeles. She has worked for companies such as HBOMax, Apple TV+, Netflix, SHOWTIME, NBC, Tastemade, Jubilee and FOX, as well as edited various independent films. She is a member of the Television Academy, Producers Guild of America, and Motion Picture Editors Guild IER. Born in China and raised in DC, Hall graduated from American University in 2019 with a BA in Film and Media Arts and a minor in Studio Art. 

Erin McGoff

Founder, AdviceWithErin 

Film & Media Arts, 2017 

Erin McGoff is an award-winning filmmaker, content creator, and founder of AdviceWithErin. In 2019, she premiered her debut Pulitzer-supported feature film, THIS LITTLE LAND OF MINES. In 2023, Erin founded her production company, Grey Films, and in 2024 premiered her series, No One Knows What They're Doing. McGoff is also a content creator who gives life & career advice to an audience of 6M+ and in 2024 was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30. McGoff has been featured by publications like the New York Times, CNBC, Fortune, Business Insider, Wall Street Journal, Upworthy, Buzzfeed and more for her work to demystify career guidance for Gen Z and Millennials. 

Gabe Ferris 

Reporter, ABC Owned Television  

Broadcast Journalism, 2023 

Gabe Ferris is a reporter at ABC30/KFSN-TV in Fresno, California, one of ABC News’ eight owned-and-operated stations. He reports on politics and the county court system for the market’s most-watched station. Gabe previously worked for ABC News’ Washington, D.C., Bureau, where he covered Congress, focusing on Republican leadership. His time with ABC News overlapped with his senior year at American University, where he studied Broadcast Journalism and CLEG and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2023. He hails from central Maine and enjoys biking, traveling, and aviation. 

Savannah McCann

Host & Dugout Reporter for the Washington Nationals, On-Air Personality for 106.7 The Fan, and Content Producer for Baseball America 

Broadcast Journalism, 2019 

From dugout to airwaves, Savannah McCann has covered the Nationals since that magical World Series run in 2019. For the past three seasons, she’s worked as a fill-in host for Nats Xtra pre-and-postgame and reporter on MASN. Her work can also be found on-air at 106.7 The Fan, online at Baseball America and as part of an article on display at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Starting as an intern at NBC Sports Washington while studying at American University, she quickly rose through the ranks to become a baseball coverage specialist. In 2021, she took her expertise to new heights, joining MLB.com's team of talented reporters. McCann has covered 27 out of the 30 MLB teams and tentpole events such as the MLB Draft and All-Star weekend. Since late 2021, McCann has worked for Baseball America covering the minor leagues, while focusing on the Nationals’ farm system. 

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.