Appen Media Group editor named ‘Thriving Under 30’ by university

CARROLLTON, Ga. — Appen Media Group Editor Kathleen Sturgeon was named as part of the 2018 class of Thriving Under 30 by the University of West Georgia.

Sturgeon is a 2014 graduate of the Mass Communications Department at the university where she focused on convergence journalism and minored in sociology.

Thriving Under 30 is an annual recognition program sponsored by the University of West Georgia Alumni Association.

The program recognizes young alumni who are under the age of 30 who have made a significant impact in their career industry while exhibiting dedication to the school and representing the university well.

“It is an incredible honor to be named a member of the 2018 class of Thriving Under Thirty at University of West Georgia,” Sturgeon said. “When I decided to ‘Go West’ eight years ago, I never imagined the places it would take me. I am honored and humbled to be among my incredible peers who were also awarded. I want to thank my wonderful family who has always supported me. ‘Going West’ is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I will always be proud to say, ‘go wolves.’”

While at West Georgia, Sturgeon was on the staff of the West Georgian student newspaper holding positions of news editor and copy editor. She won the Excellence Award in Print Journalism from the Mass Communications Department in 2014 and the Toyal Jackson “Making a Difference” Award from Student Government Association.

She had multiple internships while a student, including in the communications department at Fulton County Schools and as an editorial intern with Appen Media. Post-graduation, she landed a job at Appen Media where she worked her way up from reporter to editor in just two years.

Now, she covers Forsyth County for the weekly paper as the editor of the Forsyth Herald and the quarterly Answer Book publications.

“I am thrilled that the University of West Georgia has recognized Kathleen as one of their most distinguished young alumni,” Appen Media General Manager Hans Appen said. “She works her tail off for our company, the community she serves, and is a worthy representative of the university’s Thriving Under 30 award.”

She has won multiple awards for her reporting including being named the Emerging Journalist of the Year in 2017 by the Georgia Press Association. She has won other awards for her feature writing, breaking news reporting, editorial photography and social media work from Georgia Press and the Association of Free Community Papers.

Outside of work, Sturgeon is a Features Editor for the Sigma Kappa Sorority national magazine, The Triangle, and contributes an article each edition. This summer she was honored to receive an award at the sorority’s national convention for her work as vice president of Communication for the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter.

October 1, 2018.