Liz Strzepa

By Jacquelyn Gorman

Liz Strzepa is an anchor and reporter at WPTZ-TV News Channel 5 in Vermont. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism. During her time at UMass, she gained experience through internships, clubs, and some of her favorite classes with Professor Greeley Kyle. Strzepa was a student correspondent for Amherst Wire in 2013, the Public Relations Director for TEDx UMass Amherst from 2013 to 2014, a Journalism Peer Advisor, and participated on the committee for the UMass Journalism Department. Her involvement and dedication at UMass foreshadowed her success in her professional career soon after graduating.

Strzepa has been interested in going into the news industry since she was young. She would often come home from school and watch the news with her family. She explained how she idolized Maria Stephanos and how Stephanos inspired her to get where she is today within her career.

Strzepa described her typical workday. She is usually assigned a story at around 9:15 a.m. and then prepares for interviews and calls. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., she goes out to shoot interviews and gets information for her story. She then heads back and writes from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., starts preparation at 4 p.m., and goes live on air from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. "Each day is different, which is one of the reasons I love my job," Strzepa said. "One of my favorite parts about the job is being able to go out and meet new people and network with members of the community." 

When Strzepa was asked what she thought helped most with landing her first job after graduating, she said, “Hands down, taking classes with Greeley Kyle were so important and helpful for my career.”

She shared one of her favorite quotes for future graduates who struggle to find a job in the competitive world of broadcasting. “You might be the sweetest peach in the world, but not everyone likes peaches,” Strzepa said. She emphasizes the importance of patience and confidence in the job search process for new graduates. 

This profile was written as a part of the 2021 Alumni Spotlight Series by students in the Writing for Public Relations course.