Rachel Tiede '17 recently earned three New York Emmy nominations for three distinctly different stories. As a Horned Frog, she had three distinctive experiences: a TCU student-athlete, a John V. Roach Honors College Laureate and a Bob Schieffer College of Communication student.
A reporter at WNYT NewsChannel 13 in Albany New York, one nominated story recognized her investigative reporting on the proposed removal of the Dunham Reservoir dam, its impact on flooding and public safety. Another highlighted a naturally carbonated mineral spring that some claim has healing properties. Her third nomination honored a story marking the anniversary of a devastating tornado, examining how the resulting habitat has helped support an endangered rabbit breed.
Tiede previously received an Emmy Award for Best Weekend Newscast coverage of the Nashville Christmas Day bombing during her time as a reporter at FOX17 in Tennessee.
She recently reflected on the stories behind her nominations and how her time at TCU shaped her career.
Q: Congratulations on your three New York Emmy nominations! What was your reaction
when you found out?
I was really excited. It was especially meaningful because one of the nominations
was for a collaborative piece with our weather team, while the other two were individual
projects that I spent months working on. One of those was an investigative series
I've been reporting on for about a year, so it was really nice and validating to see
that work recognized.
Q: What drew you to the stories that earned your nominations?
The investigative story actually started because my fiancé noticed signs around a local
reservoir that said, "Save the Dunham." We started asking questions, and one simple
observation turned into a much larger investigation involving flooding concerns, emergency
planning and public safety. That's something I learned at TCU: Just be curious. One
of my journalism professors, Jean Marie Brown, always encouraged us to ask questions, even if they seemed obvious. Sometimes asking,
"What's that sign for?" can uncover an entire story.
Q: What has been the response from the community?
The Dunham story has generated a lot of community engagement. Residents have formed
committees, shared information with me and kept me updated as the story continues
to develop. It's rewarding to cover an issue that people genuinely care about and
to know the reporting can help inform those conversations.
Q: Looking back at TCU, how did the Roach Honors College prepare you for your career?
I distinctly remember walking into my first Honors class and thinking, "I'm not the
smartest person in this room," and I loved that feeling. I was surrounded by people
who loved learning, were ambitious, wanted to grow and weren't afraid to ask questions.
Being in that environment challenged me and made me a better learner.
Q: Were there any Roach Honors experiences that still influence your work today?
My honors thesis ended up being incredible preparation for investigative journalism,
even though I didn't realize it at the time. Researching a niche topic taught me how
to block out the noise, focus on what's important and find the story. That's exactly
what investigative journalism requires. I also loved my English literature classes.
They taught me how to think critically about stories, culture and context — skills
I still use every day.
Q: You balanced Roach Honors coursework, your journalism studies and competition on
the TCU swimming and diving team. What did that teach you?
I've always been organized, so I planned everything. I'd block out my day hour by
hour and stick to it. That taught me how to transition between responsibilities and
manage my time effectively. Those skills have been invaluable in the newsroom, where
priorities can change in an instant.
Q: You're competing against some of the biggest news organizations in the country.
What does being nominated mean to you?
The New York Emmys are unique because our market competes directly with New York City
stations. That's the largest media market in the country, so honestly, just being
nominated feels like a win. If I end up winning, I'll be incredibly thankful, but
I'm already grateful to be recognized alongside journalists doing amazing work.
Q: What advice would you give current students?
Your first job probably won't be your dream job, but enjoy the process. Journalism
asks a lot of you, but there are incredible opportunities if you're willing to put
in the work. Journalism isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle … So don't be afraid to
be gritty and dive in headfirst.
Tiede will find out whether her three nominations become Emmy wins at the 69th Annual New York Emmy® Awards Creative Arts Ceremony and Gala on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026.