What is it like to cover the White House as a reporter for a major global news organization? How do and should journalists respond when political pressure and their own bosses try to prevent them from doing their job? Does one need a journalism or communications degree to pursue a career in those fields? Patsy Widakuswara is in a perfect position to answer those questions.

Patsy became the Voice of America’s White House bureau chief for 2019, covering the Trump administration and now the Biden administration. She brings with her 30 years of broadcast experience as a reporter, producer and anchor at leading radio and TV stations in Indonesia, the U.K. and the U.S.

Patsy holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Indonesia and a master’s in Journalism from Goldsmiths College, University of London.

The event will be moderated by Shenandoah’s new adjunct assistant professor in the MCOM department, Steve Herman, who preceded Patsy as VOA’s White House bureau chief and is now the U.S. international broadcaster’s chief national correspondent.