Kaelan Deese is a dynamic journalist with a diverse background in journalism and a keen interest in political reporting. After graduating in December 2019 with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Spanish, Kaelan's journey began in Oklahoma City and led to a move to Washington D.C. in 2020. During his time at Gaylord College, he honed his skills and cherished moments spent creating podcasts and radio clips. Kaelan's career path took him through internships at The Oklahoman and The Hill, paving the way for his role as a breaking news reporter at the Washington Examiner. Now serving as a Supreme Court reporter, he navigates complex legal matters with precision and insight. Kaelan's dedication to his craft and ability to gather firsthand sources have been instrumental in his success. His advice to aspiring mass communication professionals emphasizes seeking out diverse opportunities and honing a broad skill set. Outside of work, Kaelan enjoys immersing himself in nature, attending live concerts, and exploring the vibrant streets of the nation's capital. Read more about his background and how Gaylord helped shape his future career.
What year did you graduate, and what was your major?
I graduated in December 2019 with a B.S. in Journalism and a minor in Spanish. I attended Putnam City North High School in Oklahoma City and grew up in the sprawling OKC metro until I relocated at 22 to Washington D.C. in 2020, later moving to Arlington, VA.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Gaylord College?
My favorite memories at Gaylord have to be as follows:
The times when I ran into Mike Boettcher in the halls and spoke to him about his stories as a war correspondent and founding reporter at CNN. I also will never forget the classes with David Kelso Spradling, who will always be remembered as one of the most open-minded professors, not just at Gaylord College, but all of the University of Oklahoma.
Some of the best memories were the times I spent creating podcasts and radio clips for the two seasons I spent working on my music-oriented radio show for StudiOU. The ability to host my show under a college publisher gave me the confidence today where my stories are syndicated to thousands of readers daily and my media training is ripe for radio interviews.
Do you have a favorite faculty/staff member at Gaylord College?
I would say that I am a major fan of John Schmeltzer for passing down his wisdom after years of experience as a reporter in Chicago. I am also a fan of Peter Gade for his rigorous yet rewarding capstone course that taught me the importance of having a good editor to generate a quality craft and his understanding of the history of news media and where its future could be headed.
How did your career path lead you to the Washington Examiner?
My career path began after I was accepted into the Intercollegiate Studies Institute Honors program in 2018. A conference was held that summer in Estes Park, Colorado, where we spent a week analyzing University of Notre Dame political science professor Patrick Deneen's "Why Liberalism Failed."
The following year, I was accepted to an internship at The Oklahoman where I spent a summer working on business-related assignments, art exhibitions, and other local news.
I applied the following year for an internship fellowship facilitated by ISI and was matched to a 1-year fellowship program for The Hill, where I spent the year writing political news ranging from COVID-19, the 2020 election, all the way to the first days after George Floyd's death.
In late January 2021, after my fellowship concluded, I was hired by the Washington Examiner as a breaking news reporter covering the first year of the Biden administration, including the aftermath of January 6, the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
I was promoted to the role of Supreme Court reporter in October, where I began my present duty of covering the ins and outs of the Supreme Court from its tumultuous 2022 term to the unprecedented leak of the draft document signaling the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and several alleged ethical lapses as Chief Justice John Roberts wrestles with whether to adopt a formal code of ethics.
Some of my most memorable moments covering this beat have been the most unusual. I sat in a Maryland federal courtroom for the initial appearance of Nicholas John Roske, who was later indicted by a federal jury on a charge of attempted assassination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Another surprising assignment found me at the U.S.-Mexico border with Republican lawmakers including Sen. Ted Cruz, who was on a tour with me as I walked within feet of barbed wire fencing on the Texas side of the border. One of the greatest memories thus far was attending the formal investiture of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and getting to witness an inaudible conversation with her and Chief Justice John Roberts at the top of the Supreme Court steps.
Describe your role at the Washington Examiner – current and former.
My current role at the Washington Examiner is keeping up to date with the most intensely watched Supreme Court cases that the public wants to hear answers about.
The 6-3 Republican-appointed majority on the Supreme Court made several historic decisions in recent times, from ruling the U.S. Constitution confers to the right to an abortion, a series of findings that show signs of justices bent to unravel the administrative state, and a historic reinforcement of Second Amendment rights in the wake of rising mass shootings in the United States—all of these subjects surround my day to day reporting duties as well as high profile cases percolating in lower federal courts.
What do you consider to be the most significant moments of your career so far?
A good journalist will always recognize that each published work represents a new cloth (I.e. signature of work) stitched into an ever-expanding portfolio in their career. Each accomplishment should be appreciated and analyzed to make note of where one is on their career journey.
The most significant moments I've had are the assignments where I can gather sources and information from people directly involved in the story and on the ground. Most journalists today can find themselves citing information directly from the source wire, so it is crucial to remember that when an opportunity emerges to gather sourcing directly, take it and use that information to expound on details that others might not be able to see.
How did Gaylord College prepare you for your future career?
To put it simply, Gaylord College succeeded in teaching me how to become a one-man-show, meaning how to take care of one's writing, editing, video capture/editing, and publishing processes to complete an assignment. In the real world, someone who goes into a digital news media job may only need to know how to use a custom CMS platform and send their story to an editor. However, it's important to remember the skills you can acquire at this institution.
Knowing how to record a shot and make video edits is crucial to making yourself more valuable at your company, and your employers will welcome those skills even if it is not your primary duty. The ability to record one's soundbites, tape video segments, and stitch them together will stand out. Possessing a diverse skillset will always be welcomed.
What advice would you give current students aspiring to a career in mass communication?
When you begin to seek internship opportunities, look at every option that is out there, even ones that are not always readily visible. Seek out campus organizations that will invest in their members who show hard work and dedication, and always inquire about applications for any form of advanced fellowship programs or career-assisting networks. Find these groups and clubs as early as your freshman and sophomore years to ease the process of transitioning to an upperclassman.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
When I'm not working I love to spend time outdoors and take hikes in the Shenandoah National Forest. I also love attending concerts, and the nation's capital is one of the best spots to see live music in the country. On Wednesdays, you can typically find me at Solly's Tavern on U Street where I'm in a trivia team of close and former colleagues competing against the top talents in the District of Columbia for first prize. On the weekends, I like to go on walks with my girlfriend in parks and at the farmers markets, as well as take rides on my electric bike around town.
