Pitch perfect: PR students speak to alumni to uncover the inside scoop on their lives after graduating
A group of Newcastle University alumni recently went on the record to support third year Media, Communications and Cultural Studies students. Discover the stories revealed during these alumni interviews by our budding journalists.
20 January 2026
Thank you to alumni volunteers who recently sat in the hot seat to be interviewed by students as part of their Global Public Relations module.
An optional module in the final year of our Media, Communication and Cultural Studies undergraduate degree – which has been ranked 8th in the UK by The Complete University Guide and Sunday Times for 2026 – Global Public Relations aims to support students in developing awareness of the complexities of cross-cultural communication and recognising the differences in PR practice around the world.
As part of their examination criteria, students were tasked with interviewing a member of our 280,000-strong global alumni community and suggesting an appropriate media outlet for publication.
Module leader and Lecturer in Public Relations Kellie Daniels, said:
“This assessment is designed to immerse students in the realities of global public relations by engaging directly with practitioners working across cultures and media systems. Our alumni play a vital role in this process, generously sharing their expertise and experiences to help students bridge theory with real-world practice.”
Read on to meet the Newcastle University alumni and supporters who were put through their paces by our third-year students.
Stephanie Chill
Stephanie moved to Newcastle from the US to study a Master’s in Museum Studies in 2012. Interviewed by student Kirsten Ballard, Stephanie shared why heritage studies is so vital, and her fond memories of visiting Beamish as a student! She said:
“Heritage studies prepare people to work in historic spaces through management, research, interpretation, and community engagement. We help communities understand and appreciate these places while also assessing and protecting them from manmade and natural challenges.”
Peter McCleave
After graduating from Newcastle University in 1999, Peter carved a successful career in finance for himself. But this all changed in 2016, when he was diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer.
Talking about this pivot in direction with student Joshua Wanless, Peter shared his passion for growing the stem cell donor register and funding research into myeloma genetics. He said:
“Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care who you are, where you’re from, or what you believe. When you find your genetic match, you realise how much we all share.”
Dr Jesús Salazar
In his interview with student Chloe Friberg, Jesús discussed the origins of his interest in the media – receiving a toy radio aged 5! Making the move from Mexico to the UK to study, his PhD studies on campus were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but now Jesús is inspiring the next generation of media students as a Newcastle University lecturer.
Simon Stretton-Downes
In his interview with Freya Ashton, dentist Simon talked about his life-changing experience on campus – where he found faith and met his wife! Since graduating, Simon has dedicated his career to helping rural communities across Africa with dental health, inspired by a fourth-year elective in Nigeria which “made [him] realise [he] wanted to use [his] skills to make a difference.” For this lifelong work, Simon received an OBE in 2021!
Isobel Thompson
Having first arrived on campus in 2013 to study Geography, followed by a Master’s in International Law, Isobel was interviewed by student Nadia Taylor and shared her experience as part of a new wave of environmental change – connecting local communities with the wild Cumbrian Forest. Alongside her day job with Raise Cumbria, Isobel is a passionate volunteer: from Guide Dogs to the Coastguard. She said:
“I feel like I've come back full circle. My geography degree was all about people and places, the impact people have on the environment and vice versa. That's perfectly embodied in my job now.”
Kate Weston-McDowell
Class of 2015 Marine Biology graduate Kate is living her childhood dream as a conservationist for dolphin and whale charity ORCA. In her interview with student Lara Jones, Kate discussed how a family holiday inspired her future career and her perspective on what needs to be done to save our planet. She said:
"You can’t look at everything as doom and gloom, or expect everyone to change overnight, you have to see the positives and move forward. What we need is a world full of imperfect people trying their best.”
Alexa Charlton
Alexa is Head of Individual Major Giving at Newcastle University, building relationships with alumni and friends of the university around the world to raise vital funds for students and researchers on campus.
Interviewed by Anastatia Youva, Alexa shared her journey from a college student who missed out on the grades to get into university to today, and how her experience has instilled in her a strong belief in the power of education. She said:
“I'm always reminded that I'm working with some of the best researchers in the world so, if I'm going to fundraise for anything, I know they're going to make a difference.”
Reconnecting you to campus
A huge thank you to our alumni volunteers for spending time with our current students and sharing their stories – and well done to all our interviewers on some fantastic articles!
If you’re interested in reconnecting with the university and giving back as an alumni volunteer, get in touch.