The awardees for Temple University’s annual 30 Under 30 Awards have been announced! Klein College of Media and Communication can proudly say that three alumni: Douglas Ammon, KLN ‘15; Toni Dixon, KLN ‘18 and Alisha N. Zafar, KLN ’16; have received this prestigious honor. Each year, the university honors 30 recent alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their communities through their many accomplishments. Read more about Klein’s 2020 awardees and keep an eye out for a virtual event honoring this year’s 30 Under 30 awardees in the spring of 2021!
Douglas Ammon, KLN ’15
Manager, Digital and Social Content Publishing | National Basketball Association
Journalism MA graduate Doug Ammon is the manager of digital and social content publishing for the NBA. Alongside a hardworking team, Ammon holds the responsibility for all of the social media produced by the NBA, WNBA, the NBA's G-League, the NBA 2K League and the Junior NBA. Ammon and his team are tasked with drafting all posts and accurately reporting happenings in these leagues to millions of followers. Ammon has been with the NBA since 2016, and is at the forefront of extending the NBA's global social media reach to China, Africa and other parts of the world. Ammon, with the help of his parents and the Philadelphia mentoring organization Concerned Black Men, has also funded a scholarship at Temple's College of Public Health.
Toni Dixon, KLN ’18
Management and Program Analyst | Federal Bureau of Investigation
Toni Dixon is a management and program analyst for the FBI. At the age of 22, she became the youngest analyst in the FBI's Finance and Facilities Division. She graduated with her BA in journalism with a minor in criminal justice in just three years, and the FBI took notice of her hard work and dedication during her interviews. Her unit chief was impressed by the coursework and knowledge she received from Klein combined with her studies in criminal justice, believing it would make her a great asset to the Bureau. Dixon holds Top Secret Clearance, and in large part due to her work, FBI offices across the US are able to function safely.
Alisha N. Zafar, KLN ’16
Associate Producer, Digital & Social | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS
Alisha Zafar graduated from Klein and the Honors Program with a dual degree in Media Studies and Production and Spanish. Zafar spent her years at Temple working as an RA, an Honors Student Worker and a conversation partner after studying abroad in Oviedo, Spain. One of her favorite experiences at Temple was being a part of the university's sketch comedy group, Temple Smash. Zafar had the opportunity to perform, pitch and submerge herself in the production that goes into a live show. Her experience with Temple Smash combined with the knowledge she gained from some of her favorite Klein professors, like Amy Caples and Barry Vacker, allowed her to secure internships at CBS in LA and NBC10 in Philadelphia. Following graduation, Zafar was accepted into the NBC Page Program in New York City, an early career experience for college graduates looking to enter the entertainment industry, where she held assignments at Saturday Night Live, TODAY, Corporate Diversity and beyond. Following her 12-month NBC Page Program,, she jumped ship to CBS as an associate producer at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where she shoots, edits and produces behind-the-scenes videos of celebrity guests and Stephen Colbert for Late Show social and YouTube channels.