Kimberly Cheng says her parents’ struggles as refugees motivate her to succeed. The KTLA reporter will speak Monday, April 28 at 11:15 in the Great Hall, discussing what it is like to cover the city of Los Angeles. Cheng is a graduate of USC and has reported in Phoenix for an ABC affiliate and Palm Springs for a CBS affiliate. She has been an anchor, producer, reporter and red carpet host. Cheng is Cambodian-Chinese-American and her parents and siblings came to the U.S. as refugees. Her first job was selling doughnuts and coffee in her parents’ shop. Cheng says her parents’ struggles are what motivate her to succeed.
The television reporter will visit Pierce as part of the Pierce College Media Arts Department Speaker Series, a free program that welcomes esteemed speakers from the radio, film, journalism and website worlds. The events are a semester-long effort funded by the Associated Students Organization. Students, faculty, staff and the community are invited. Faculty can receive Flex Credit for attending. Refreshments will be served. Parking is available for $3 in Lot 1, near the Sheriff’s Station off Brahma Drive and Winnetka Avenue.
Bio courtesy of Kimberly Cheng:
“Kimberly Cheng is a reporter at KTLA in Los Angeles. An L.A. native, Cheng is proud to tell stories that affect the people of her hometown. Prior to joining KTLA, Cheng was a fill-in anchor, reporter and multimedia journalist at the ABC affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona. Cheng also worked at the CBS affiliate in Palm Springs, California. She has worn several hats: anchor, producer, reporter, red carpet host. Cheng has covered a variety of stories-- former President Gerald Ford's death; a controversial Prop 8 protest in Palm Springs that made national headlines; and interviewed some of the world's biggest celebrities.
Fight on! Cheng is a proud graduate from the University of Southern California where she earned a double-degree in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science. Cheng's professional background stretches beyond news. After graduating from USC, she worked for a prominent residential and commercial real estate developer. She also worked in commercial video production for one of the world's largest automakers.
Cheng is Cambodian-Chinese-American. Her parents and siblings came to the U.S. as refugees. They were forced to escape their homeland after years of torture and genocide under the Pol Pot regime. Without speaking a word of English and without a dime, her family started over. Her parents opened a donut shop in Los Angeles which they ran for decades. Cheng's first job was serving coffee and donuts. She has said her family's struggles are what motivate her to succeed. "With all the opportunities we have in this country, it would be a shame not to try and fulfill your true potential." In her free time, Cheng likes to stay active. Her hobbies include working out, snowboarding, hiking, and singing.”
Faculty can receive Flex Credit for attending. For more information contact Professor Stefanie Frith, Pierce College Media Arts Department, (818) 710-2960.
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