Most people probably wouldn’t say that their perfect morning means getting to work at 3:30 a.m., but Rachel Pellegrino wouldn’t want it any other way.
Pellegrino graduated from Waynesburg University in 2022 as an Electronic Media major with a Journalism minor. During her time at Waynesburg, Pellegrino was a student writer for University Relations, gaining early experience in storytelling and journalism.
“When I first learned how to tell stories, I knew I wanted to be a writer in some capacity,” she said. “The question was, how? That realization came in first grade, so needless to say, I was a long way from thinking about college.”
Over time, Pellegrino realized she wanted her writing to help people and make an impact, which ultimately led her to Waynesburg University. The hands-on learning experiences in the Department of Communication, ranging from television and radio production to newspaper writing, were especially appealing. Even though she didn’t yet know exactly what she wanted to write about, she knew Waynesburg would help her find the right direction.
“The skills you learn in the Department of Communication are so versatile that they gave me reassurance that I would succeed in whichever career path I chose,” said Pellegrino.
After graduating from Waynesburg, Pellegrino accepted a multimedia journalist (MMJ) position at WOWK-TV in Charleston, West Virginia. She worked there for three years, reporting across West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. During that time, she covered everything from politics and severe weather to major community issues, with one of her favorite assignments being a feature story on an Olympic runner.
“Be willing to learn, because the more skills you develop, the better you’ll be at your job — which benefits not only you, but also your team.”
In March 2025, Pellegrino returned to Pennsylvania after accepting a Morning Anchor position at WTAJ-TV in Altoona. In recent months, she has continued reporting while anchoring morning broadcasts. For example, her station sent her to Washington, D.C., to report on President Trump’s first 100 days in office. She has also covered stories directly impacting local communities, including animal cruelty prosecutions and mental health challenges facing farmers.
As a morning news anchor, Pellegrino’s shift runs from 3:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. After arriving at the station, she gets “camera ready,” which includes hair and makeup preparation for the broadcast. She then reviews scripts, records show teases and completes microphone checks shortly before going on air.
Her morning news broadcast runs from 5–7 a.m., followed by additional short news segments through 9 a.m. After the live broadcasts conclude, Pellegrino spends the rest of her shift developing special reports, feature stories and investigative pieces for upcoming evening newscasts.
Pellegrino built a successful and impactful broadcast journalism career during her time in West Virginia, where she covered a wide range of meaningful stories that resonated with viewers. Her dedication to storytelling earned her multiple honors from the West Virginia Broadcasters Association, including the “Emerging Journalist” award in 2024 and “Best MMJ” for two consecutive years. In 2025, she also received the “Community Outreach” award for her inspiring series Rising Above, which highlighted powerful stories of resilience and encouraged viewers to overcome challenges in their own lives.
The series became a source of hope for many viewers, offering encouragement during difficult times. Driven by a passion for meaningful storytelling, Pellegrino remains committed to sharing impactful stories that make a difference. She believes that even on the most difficult days in journalism, the opportunity to positively impact someone’s life makes the work worthwhile.
“Everyone has to start somewhere, and it begins with asking questions. Be the person who’s always curious and wants to know more; that curiosity goes a long way in broadcast journalism. Another important quality is empathy; it may be just another story or an assignment to you, but for someone else, it’s their reality,” said Pellegrino.
About the Communication Department
Through practical experiences, you'll develop a portfolio of work that will impress employers. Beginning your first week, you will have the opportunity to practice what you're learning in your Communication classes. You'll have access to cameras, microphones, computers, lights, and much more for each of your projects.
About Waynesburg University
Consistently ranked a best value school, Waynesburg University’s Strategy for the 21st Century affirms its commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and ethical leadership skills for all students. Rooted in its mission of faith, learning and service, the private, Christian university is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania.
