Kristina Ousley, a 2016 graduate of Dillard University, is the first Dillard alumnus to be awarded the Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellowship.
Ousley was chosen to work in the 2025-2026 cohort of the highly competitive journalism fellowship that supports graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Named after pioneering abolitionist and journalist, the Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellowship provides fellows with newsroom experience, professional mentorship, career development and a supportive network.
“This opportunity not only allows me to exercise my skill set in product design and technology, but I’ve always wanted a career in news and multimedia,” said Ousley. “My goal is to take what I learn through my work at The 19th and create products that have unparalleled usability across all audiences.”
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Dillard, Ousley went on to obtain a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Florida A&M University.
At Dillard, she said she appreciated the safe environment that allowed students like her to have a voice through clubs and organizations, the student government or simply allowing students to be themselves.
Today, the Chicago native is pursuing a doctorate in Information and Interaction Design at the University of Baltimore.
Her professional background includes leading UX programs at Healthcare Service Corporation and developing accessible digital tools for public and private sectors as a creative technologist at the University of Baltimore. As the creative director for the “American Journal of Evaluation”, she applied human-centered principles to multimedia content.
Kristina’s work combines technology, design, and storytelling to craft impactful experiences. Serving on the board of the American Institute for Graphic Arts, she is also able to mentor emerging designers and contribute to event media production.
Ousley is excited to bring her diverse skill set and unique perspective to The 19th News as one of its newest fellows, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable future in journalism.
