Lisa Lake, professional television broadcaster and philanthropist, has completed a full circle back at City College – only this time, she is on the other side of the desk.
Last year, the Radio and Television and Multimedia Department approached Lake with the idea of teaching a class. The department chair, Laura Castaneda, said she knew Lisa would make a great professor at City.
“She not only comes with invaluable experience as one of San Diego’s most familiar faces in local TV, but she is also an alumni of this department,” Castaneda said.
Lake said she had never considered teaching, but her skills reassured her that she could be the best candidate.
“I know (the) program, I know (the) industry,” Lake said.
As a San Diego native, Lake graduated from Helix High School. She then moved to Georgia to pursue an English degree from Spelman College, and soon found her way back to San Diego. Lake became a fellow City College Knight, as she took classes in the Radio and Television program to pursue her broadcasting career.
“It was one of the best things I have ever done,” Lake commented about the classes. “I owe everything to (the radio and television) department.”
Through the program Lake received an internship with a local KGTV affiliate. She became the morning news anchor from 1995 to 2008 on ABC television.
Offering her professional skills to the students of City College, Lake now teaches RTVC 121 Performance for Television.
“It is perfect for anyone interested in doing on-camera work, on-hands experience in talk shows and news and weather reporting,” said Lake about the RTVC 121 class.
In the class students get practice in reading from a teleprompter and on-camera interviewing skills.
Lake’s bubbly personality and willingness to mentor makes her the perfect pick for a professor in the program.
“Lisa Lake is as down to earth as they come. She is passionate about her work, her family and now, her students,” comments Castaneda.
The department is proud to have Lake join them. “She knows what it’s like to be out there and her students will always gain that knowledge from her,” Castaneda said.
Lake is also proud to be a part of the department.
“This is one of the best. You don’t find the type of equipment they have anywhere else,” Lake stated.
Aside from teaching, Lake is actively involved in National Crossroads. This is a program designed to aid female parolees with residence and support services while they re-enter society.
Lake’s future is open to many possibilities. “Right now, I just want to expand my role,” she said.
