Aya Abdeen, '25 BA

My passion for sports journalism began when I was a freshman in high school. I met Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi at Fry's Trading Places. Taurasi gave me flowers, which ignited my interest in using storytelling with athletes and coaches in women's basketball and making it a career. 
I chose to major in Sports Journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, one of the top programs in the country. I had the opportunity to cover the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game and the unveiling of the new Phoenix Mercury practice facility for Cronkite News-an incredible experience.
This past spring, I was the recipient of the Cronkite Spirit Award and graduated with cum laude honors, as I had the best four years at the Cronkite School. As a Jordanian American, I look to inspire journalists who have Autism Spectrum Disorder to ensure that they're not alone! I overcame difficulties in education for my whole life, they can do it, too!