Meteorologist Stephanie Mead, '13, Forecasted Success at NIU
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet
Stephanie Mead, '13, is a meteorologist for WJBK-TV FOX 2 Detroit. (Photo Credit: WJBK-TV FOX 2)
NIU helped meteorologist Stephanie Mead, ’13, build her confidence and critical thinking skills to weather challenges while reporting for four metropolitan areas across the United States.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in geography with a minor in journalism and was involved in the Northern Television Center (NTC) on NIU's campus.
“My experiences putting together a story and editing my work prepared me for the broadcast industry,” Mead said. “NIU taught me to think critically. One of the hardest parts of the industry is having a concept and conveying that in two minutes or less. It’s tricky, so preparing for that at the NTC and in classes really helped.”
Mead first came to NIU when her aunt was a student. She attended a family weekend, and her aunt showed her around campus.
“I loved it!” Mead said. “Plus, I immediately connected with the mascot because, as a little girl, I loved Husky dogs. I still do. I have one now!”
After graduating from Hinsdale South High School, Mead returned to NIU, this time as a freshman eager to embrace what the university had to offer. In addition to being involved in the NTC, she served as a community advisor for Grant and Douglas Halls for two years. She planned fun events, held monthly floor meetings, participated in Welcome Week, and met with enthusiastic incoming freshmen.
“My time at NIU was great!” Mead said.
As a Midwestern girl who always enjoyed experiencing the four seasons and marveled at the shades of green in the sky when stormy weather approached, Mead secured an internship at WTVO-TV Channel 17 in Rockford, Illinois. However, her dream and first break required some patience and resilience.
“Having confidence and believing in myself has to be the two qualities that have pushed me through many ‘no’s’ in my industry,” she said. “It was hard to get my break and first job. I had to stay positive and really believe in my dream!”
After graduation, Mead started her career at KMTV in Twin Falls, Idaho, anchoring the weekend evening weather forecasts at 9 and 10 p.m. She then moved to WGBA-TV NBC 26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where she anchored the weekend morning weather forecast from 5 to 7 a.m., performed live weather shots in the field, and covered a memorable storm that delayed the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. Her work there contributed to her team earning a Midwest Regional Emmy Award nomination for “Best Evening Broadcast.”
After just over two years in Green Bay, Mead spent the bulk of her career at WISH-TV in Indianapolis, Indiana. She anchored weekday morning weather forecasts and traffic from 4-10 a.m., performed live weather shots in the field, anchored breaking news traffic updates, and hosted a weekly podcast focused on community events. Mead covered five Indianapolis 500 races at WISH-TV before being hired as a meteorologist at FOX 2 Detroit, where she anchors WJBK-TV FOX 2's morning and evening weather forecasts on weekdays and weekends. She also serves as a fill-in host for the morning lifestyle show and represents the station at community events.
Mead describes a typical day in the office.
“I usually come in and look at various models to figure out temperature and precipitation,” she said. “After I get the forecast together, I make my graphics and update numbers. There will be a digital hit for a weather update. Then, I go into the studio and tape a teaser that will air later in the evening. Next, the show starts, and after the broadcast, I’ll clip one of my longer forecasts so I can post that to the web with a blog detailing the forecast for the next seven days. I’ll update social media as well.”
Mead enjoys breaking down severe weather coverage on air and social media.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is informing the public on inclement weather,” she said. “Whether it’s snow during the morning drive or a severe weather event, my work impacts viewers by helping them adjust their drive by ten minutes or helping them get a safety plan in place. It makes my job incredibly rewarding.”
Aside from accurate weather forecasting and the ability to effectively communicate the degree of urgency behind weather situations, Mead says meteorologists need to build trust with their viewers over time. This approach to success and making a difference in her viewers’ lives extends beyond meteorology. Mead's values of trust and thoughtful communication serve as a reminder that no matter what challenges one encounters, it's the relationships built that truly forecast success.