With three decades spanning broadcast journalism and higher education PR, Kathy Bonilla specialized in translating academic initiatives into community narratives. Her work at Fresno City College focused on:
Prioritize stories demonstrating tangible community impact, particularly those bridging academic programs with workforce development needs. Avoid speculative trends without documented student outcomes.
We trace Kathy Bonilla’s journey from her early days as a broadcast producer at KSEE 24 and KJEO (now KGPE 47) to her transformative role as Fresno City College’s public information officer. Her career pivot from television news to higher education communications in the late 1990s marked a strategic shift toward nurturing future journalists while maintaining strong media relationships.
"Journalism isn’t just about capturing headlines – it’s about amplifying voices that shape communities."
Focus on student impact over institutional metrics: Bonilla consistently highlighted human-centered narratives, as seen in her coverage of FCC’s nursing program expansion during COVID-19. Successful pitches should demonstrate how initiatives directly affect individual learners’ trajectories.
The California Community Colleges Public Relations Organization awarded Bonilla their 2022 Excellence in Communications medal for her innovative pandemic-era virtual campus tours. This achievement underscored her ability to adapt traditional storytelling methods to emerging digital platforms while maintaining engagement.
