Sophomore Broadcasting Student Keeps Focus
Recently, Gina Grosso of Newton, N.J., had a chance to get up close and personal with music sensations Paramour, Brandy, Chris Brown, Jesse McCartney and Rhianna, filming interviews of the top stars backstage at Z100’s Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden on Friday, December 12.
It’s not the first time the sophomore Communication major has rubbed elbows with celebrities for the popular top-40 radio station in New York. Earlier this semester, Grosso filmed an interview of the latest “heartthrob” actor, Rob Pattinson, from the motion picture Twilight. Grosso scored the two gigs after Shawn Kildea, instructor of Communication, recommended her to a Z100 producer, 2006 Rider graduate Garrett Vogel.
“I chose Rider because I knew I could start working at R.U.N. as a freshman,” said Grosso, sitting at a table inside the Rider University Network, or R.U.N., studio. “I would have never gotten this opportunity as a sophomore if I hadn’t had the chance to be involved at the studio last year.”
While she jokes that she devotes most of her time to the studio, Grosso knows her time is well spent, as she is gaining knowledge and skills that will help her launch into a broadcasting career.
“That’s the entire reason why I came to school here, because I was able to get hands-on experience right from the beginning,” Grosso explained.
Kildea remembers being impressed by Grosso’s application to the Program for Advanced Scholastic Standing, designed to award three college credits to high school students who have successfully completed video production courses at their high schools.
Grosso sent her transcripts, along with a labeled CD of her work and a handwritten note addressed to Kildea. “That let us know early on that she gets things done,” said Kildea, adding that Grosso was the first in her class to be admitted into the program.
From day one, Grosso wasted no time making herself a visible presence at R.U.N. As a freshman, she jumped into action as a reporter in the fall and as an anchor the following semester. This year, as a sophomore, Grosso produces the weekly show Rider Right Now, and she plans to produce again next semester.
“I always wanted to be a reporter, but I have fallen in love with the technical aspect of producing. It’s more creative, and there’s more to do,” Grosso said. “After Rider, I know I want to produce. It would be a dream to work in New York as a producer.”
Scott Alboum, video technologies coordinator and R.U.N. adviser, said while any freshman can get involved with the station, Grosso has a diversity of qualities, including production, leadership, organizational and communication skills, that set her apart from the crowd, even outshining juniors and seniors.
“She has the skills and the personality. She understands that television is a group effort,” Alboum said. “People trust her. She can relate to other people.”
Vogel, a producer for Z100’s Elvis Duran & The Morning Show, said Grosso is an enthusiastic, hard worker who consistently puts out a good product. “She knows what she wants to do with her career,” he added.
Grosso’s experience spans beyond the R.U.N. studio, as she serves as vice president of Rider’s National Broadcasting Society (NBS) chapter and is on the National Student Advisory council for NBS. Last March, Grosso traveled with a group of students to the NBS’s 66th Annual Convention at the Disney Paradise Pier Hotel in Anaheim, Calif. The opportunity allowed her to network with professionals in the field, including a PBS representative in Orange County, Calif., who offered her an internship.
Grosso is also a student worker in the Office of University Communications. When she’s not shooting material for R.U.N., she films on the side. Earlier this fall, Grosso was asked to film a conference for New York Women In Communications Inc.
Aside from all Grosso’s commitments, Kildea said he knows he can count on her. “Gina Grosso has proven to be Miss Dependable,” he said. “She’ll show up to anything.”
During the summer, Kildea planned to take three students to The History Channel studios in New York City. At the last minute, one student was unable to attend, so Kildea called Grosso to see if she wanted to come. Her dad drove her into New York City, and she met everyone by noon.
“That stuck in my head,” said Kildea as another reason why he recommended her for the Z100 gigs. “Gina is a perfect fit for our program.”
