UHV graduate student shares stories through PBS internship
Katie Amatangelo’s lifelong love for storytelling has been the heartbeat of her journey. Now, as an intern at Austin PBS TV, the University of Houston-Victoria graduate student is channeling that passion into action, bringing stories to life.
"Storytelling, whether through reading, writing, or sharing narratives, has always been my passion," Amatangelo shared. "I take great joy in crafting vivid, descriptive writing that paints a clear picture for readers."
Amatangelo is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing through UHV’s highly regarded online program. As an Austin resident, she is diligently working on her thesis, a milestone in her academic career. Her decision to attend UHV was influenced by discovering that the university’s MFA program ranks among the top 10 in the nation for online students. Further research into the professional achievements and publications of UHV’s faculty solidified her choice, assuring her that UHV was the ideal fit.
When Amatangelo applied, she received personalized guidance through the admissions process from Anthony Madrid, UHV’s director of the creative writing program and an associate professor, who later became her thesis advisor. His mentorship, along with that of Nadya Pittendrigh, associate professor of English, has been instrumental in supporting her academic growth and success.
“Katie Amatangelo has more enterprise in her little finger than a whole army of lawyers, movie producers and small business owners,” Madrid said. “Moreover, she has vast resources of personal sweetness. This is a combination you don’t usually see.”
Amatangelo’s internship at Austin PBS TV stemmed from a valuable connection she made during her previous role at Phalanx Outreach Solutions. This dynamic agency is committed to harnessing the power of storytelling to inspire change and drive meaningful action, she said. Collaborating with workforce development and community organizations nationwide, Phalanx Outreach Solutions offers expertise in content creation, strategy development, and media guidance.
Impressed by the exceptional work Amatangelo produced during her internship, Brian Hernandez, the agency’s founder and chief storyteller, encouraged her to apply for the coveted internship at Austin PBS TV. His support paved the way for this exciting opportunity, allowing Amatangelo to continue honing her craft in storytelling.
“Brian is a transformative mentor,” Amatangelo said. “During my time as a storytelling and multimedia specialist intern at his company, from May to September of 2024, I had the privilege of exploring numerous opportunities that significantly broadened my skillset. His guidance was instrumental in helping me uncover my potential and discover how impactful I can be as both a writer and storyteller.”
In her current role, Amatangelo participates in the Weekly News Internship Program at Austin PBS TV. Her work includes supporting news programs by doing research into the subjects featured on the award-winning community journalism initiative Decibel and researching topics for Austin Insight. Some of the topics she’s contributed to for the shows include the Lunar New Year, the measles outbreaks in Texas, diversity in the Rundberg neighborhood in North Austin, and ‘The Story Behind the Music in the Navigating Dove Springs’ documentary.
Amatangelo plans to graduate in May, and as that day draws nearer, she hopes to begin moving into a new chapter in her career. During her time as a UHV student, she was inspired by the faculty members who taught her, including Madrid, Pittendrigh and Brooks Sterritt.
“Dr. Nadya Pittendrigh shared her profound knowledge and expertise, offering valuable insights into the fields of composition, writing pedagogy, and rhetoric,” Amatangelo said. “I am forever grateful for her continued mentorship, guidance, wisdom and support. Dr. Anthony Madrid brought remarkable insights and unique perspectives to his ‘Form & Poetics’ course, drawing on his expertise in diverse literary forms, including Welsh Englynion poems, Ghazal poems, and the works of Hafez. Dr. Brooks Sterritt provided expert guidance on students’ weekly writing submissions, facilitating workshops that fostered diverse perspectives and constructive dialogue. I am deeply grateful to all the UHV professors for their invaluable knowledge and dedication. I gained a wealth of understanding and inspiration that has been instrumental in my academic and personal growth.”
When looking back on Amatangelo’s time in the classroom, Pittendrigh was impressed by her insights and skills at conducting thorough research.
“Teachers always say we learn from students, and what we usually mean is that each student adds to our overall store of teacher wisdom in some vague sense. But when you have Katie in a class, you literally learn from her in a direct way,” Pittendrigh said. “She does so much research that reading her finished work is always genuinely enlightening. She is the most passionate and curious student I've encountered.”
After graduation, Amatangelo hopes to secure employment in TV and/or radio as a storyteller/researcher where she aims to leverage her expertise in creative writing, storytelling, scriptwriting, photography and videography to create engaging and impactful content across various platforms, including TV, radio, websites, e-newsletters, social media channels and online platforms. Her objective is to produce content that not only captivates audiences but also inspires and leaves a lasting impression.
Additionally, she is extremely interested in teaching English composition and writing courses to make a difference in the lives of future writers, much like the UHV professors who taught and inspired her.
“I am deeply committed to empowering learners by fostering growth, sparking their passion, and helping them unlock their full potential,” she expressed. “My goal is to instill confidence in individuals, enabling them to recognize their own abilities and thrive.”
As she reflects on her experiences at Austin PBS TV and the skills she developed through UHV’s MFA program, Amatangelo recognizes that her time with Ed Bryson, director of news and public affairs; Blair Waltman-Alexin, senior multimedia journalist; and the faculty at UHV has thoroughly prepared her for success. She eagerly looks forward to charting her path forward.
“I am deeply grateful to Austin PBS TV for the opportunities and unwavering support I have received during my internship,” she said. “This experience has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. Coupled with the extensive knowledge I gained from my undergraduate courses at the University of Central Florida in English Creative Writing – which prepared me to pursue my graduate studies at the University of Houston-Victoria – I remain grateful for the invaluable wealth of knowledge I have acquired, as well as the significant, steadfast encouragement and continued support of UHV’s faculty. I have been provided with a profound depth of understanding, enabling me to pursue my life’s work.”
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.