At just 27 years old, Cassie Semyon, KLN '18, is one of the youngest national on-air reporters in Washington, D.C., covering both national and local politics for Spectrum News. She knew she had a knack for storytelling from a young age, as family would joke that she could “talk to anyone.” Whether it was building makeshift microphones out of LEGOs, or participating in whatever journalistic program her small public school had to offer, her determination and resourcefulness was on full display. Bringing her talents to Temple, she honed her skills and seized every opportunity available. By her mid-20s, she was covering politics in D.C., and last fall, she served as one of the national pool reporters for Vice President Harris’s presidential campaign. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, she’s excited to see where her career will take her next.

The following Q&A has been condensed for clarity and conciseness.

I was going to ask if you always knew you wanted to pursue broadcasting, but it sounds like you were already interested in high school. Can you tell me more about how long you knew this was the path you wanted? 
 
I went to a small public school, and while we didn’t have a dedicated TV program, I helped run the school newspaper in my senior year. As a kid, people always said I could talk to anyone, so I think that naturally led to an interest in storytelling and communication. I used to build microphones with LEGOs and walk around telling stories about whatever was happening. I knew I wanted to pursue broadcasting, but I wasn’t sure what that would look like. Many students around Temple came with extensive production experience, while I didn’t have any. That made starting fresh exciting for me. 

In my freshman year, I jumped into volunteering at TV Studio Three and worked on Temple Update. I learned everything from editing to running the switchboard, and by the second semester of my freshman year, I became the producer for Temple Update Now. That was my first real experience in TV, producing content that aired. It was exciting to be given the tools to succeed right away. Temple didn’t make me wait to gain experience—they trusted me with opportunities from day one. That mindset has stuck with me, especially as I’ve advanced in my career. It taught me not to be afraid to jump into things I don’t know how to do because I’ve always had the support to figure it out.

Take us back to your steps postgraduation.

After graduation, I freelanced at WNEP, my local station in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for a year. While there were no full-time opportunities, I worked weekends and side gigs. I was looking for more, so I took a job in Dover, Delaware, to cover politics, which had been my focus during internships in D.C. 

I moved there in January 2020, just before the pandemic hit. I didn’t cover the state legislature as planned but ended up covering COVID and its impact on the community. I won an AP award for my coverage of the vaccine rollout. As a local reporter, it was emotionally challenging because we were amid so much fear and uncertainty. By the end of my time in Dover, I was the weekend anchor and produced newscasts. After nearly two years, I got an opportunity to work for Spectrum News, producing content for their D.C. office.

How did the transition to Spectrum in 2021 come about? 
 
I had known about Spectrum for years, especially as they were relaunching their D.C. bureau when I graduated. I stayed in touch with the bureau chief, who is now my boss, and when an opening came up, I applied. Though the job wasn’t on camera, I was excited to return to D.C. The jump from being an on-camera reporter to producing was a big shift, but it was a step toward where I wanted to be. I started in November 2021, and after about six months, they offered me a chance to apply for a reporter position. I did two screen tests and other job application tasks while still handling my producing duties. In April 2022, I became a Washington correspondent for Spectrum News, covering the White House, Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court and more. My role combines national coverage with a local focus for our California audience.

As a reporter, you flew with then Vice President Harris on Air Force Two three times—what were the occurrences and what was that like? 
 
The first was after the tragic shooting at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, where the vice president went to pay her respects. I covered the event as the pool reporter, documenting her movements for the White House Correspondents Association. I also flew with her twice on the campaign trail—once when she did a special with Oprah and once from Texas to Michigan for a rally with her and Michelle Obama. As a pool reporter, I document these events for the entire White House Correspondents Association, providing insights for all media outlets. 

It’s an immense privilege and humbling to be in such high-level company. Looking around at the other reporters, many of whom I had admired for years, I was in awe. It’s a surreal experience that I still can’t fully believe. 

That sounds very surreal. What has covering D.C. been like, especially with the constant 24/7 news cycle? How do you manage your schedule?

What might surprise people is that Congress doesn’t work weekends as much, so you get a breather as a political reporter. However, covering Congress is much more accessible than the White House. You’re right in the thick of things, able to talk to lawmakers and get interviews in a way that’s not as common at the White House. The job requires you to become an expert in a new topic almost daily, given how complex legislation can be. So, it’s a learning process every day, and I think people might assume I know everything off the top of my head, but I’m constantly learning and adapting. This job is perfect for someone who loves to learn.

One of the coolest things I’ve done was sit down with both Speaker Pelosi and Speaker McCarthy. We flew to Bakersfield when McCarthy was speaker and did an interview at his high school, where we also spoke with his friends about who he was as a person, not just as a politician. Then we interviewed him in D.C., spoke to his closest allies and created a three-part series on his road to the speakership and the struggles that ultimately led to his ouster. I really became an expert in his story for our company, which was rewarding because I was covering it almost every day.

What advice would you give to students in the broadcasting or journalism track, given your experiences so far? 
 
I can’t emphasize enough how important internships are. They taught me a lot about what I wanted in a career, and they also helped me understand what I didn’t want. Hands-on experience is crucial for your development and helps shape your career decisions. Networking is just as important. It’s key to getting jobs in journalism. Building your professional network and connecting with people is invaluable. Also, don't be afraid of rejection. Too often, talented people limit themselves because they fear it. Rejection says nothing about you; it’s how you respond that matters. Whether that means applying for more internships, reaching out to a mentor for advice or improving your skills for the next interview, how you react to rejection is crucial for future success. 

What has your relationship been like with the Temple alumni community? 
 
There’s an alumni chapter for the greater DMV area, and I’ve attended events like the Christmas parties. I work with Temple alumni every day, which is cool. One of the photographers here at Spectrum went to Temple a few years after me, so it’s great to work with him since we had the same classes and experiences. There are also a lot of Temple alumni on the Hill. One photographer, Phil DuPont, was an anchor at Temple Update when I was a freshman, and another woman I work with, Kellie Meyer, now works for NewsNation. We didn’t know each other at Temple, but we connected when I moved here through mutual friends. It’s amazing how Temple alumni support each other. There’s always someone willing to get coffee or offer advice. 

One of my friends from Temple, who worked at the Biden White House, reached out when she got her job, and we had coffee. Even though we weren’t close in college, we were both Temple graduates, and that built-in connection is invaluable when you’re new to a city like D.C. 

We always say, “Owls are Everywhere,” but it really is true! It’s amazing how you’re always able to find other Owls. 
 
Yes, it really is true. I ran into Kevin Negandhi at the White House last year—he had been the speaker at my graduation, and while we hadn’t been in touch for years, we connected through social media. I reached out when I heard he was there, and we caught up. I even helped him with dinner recommendations! That’s what makes Temple so special: The alumni network is genuinely supportive, and people want to help each other. I think Temple doesn’t get enough credit for how strong and caring the alumni community is. We are birds, we lift each other up. 

On a final note, you've accomplished so much already. Looking ahead, what are your goals for the next five to 10 years? 
 
I’d love to cover another campaign. It was such an exciting experience, though it was very fast paced, with constant travel. I’d also like to experience the slower buildup of following a primary. D.C. and the Hill have become home for me, and I can’t imagine leaving. I would love to continue covering politics and campaigns, possibly at a higher level. I feel incredibly lucky to do this job, and I hope I’m still in the same field 10 years from now. 
 
I love that this job requires constant learning. Every day brings something new, whether it’s interviewing an expert or diving into a complex topic. This summer, I did a journalist law fellowship with Loyola Law School, and I built a connection with Jessica Levinson, who runs the program. Now I can reach out to her when I have legal questions. There’s always something new to learn, and it’s what keeps the job fresh and exciting.