For Diamonique Anderson, the Election Live broadcast is more than just watching and recording election returns. The Mary Baldwin senior spent her fourth year working the event, but this year as director, helping promote the broadcast and diving into relevant topics for voters electing a new Virginia governor.

Diamonique Anderson

MBU senior Diamonique Anderson directed this year’s Election Live event.

Anderson worked with more than 60 other students on election night, tracking the results of state and local races and discussing trending topics — from the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to the Robert E. Lee effect — from inside the War Room (also known as Grafton 105).

“I have always been open to the idea of directing the broadcast because I think it is a fun and informative event that is unique to our campus,” Anderson said. “I do not know of any other school that allows students to write their own scripts and broadcast the election results in a real studio setting.”

Working on Election Live is one of several ways in which MBU has helped prepare Anderson for a future in policymaking. Classes with Political Science Professor Laura van Assendelft and Associate Professor of Communication Bruce Dorries have also helped shape her path. So has her work as marketing and public relations specialist in MBU’s Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement.

“Civic engagement has become part of my foundation at Mary Baldwin,” Anderson said. “I encourage students to be involved both in the Staunton community and globally.” She is also serving her second term as chairwoman of Minority Clubs United. Previously, Anderson was president of Black Student Alliance.