Veteran and two-time Cronkite School student Kayla Christenson embraces the U.S. Air Force’s “Aim High” motto with a camera in hand. While stationed at a pilot training base in Oklahoma, she earned the Air Force’s Photojournalist of the Year award while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in mass communication in media studies online. Now, she’s pursuing a master’s degree in mass communication at the Cronkite School in Downtown Phoenix to take her photography career to even greater heights.
Christenson joined the Air Force after two years at Scottsdale Community College when she saw a job opportunity for military communicators.
“I heard about that job in the Air Force, and I had no idea how to work a camera, edit, shoot; I just had an eye for it,” Christenson said. “I think my love for film helped with that. Knowing how to make something beautiful was a big skill to have.”
After boot camp, she completed six months of fast-paced technical training in photography, videography, editing, audio and more. Christenson spent four years in the service working in communications, public relations and photojournalism, traveling from San Francisco to Hawaii. Eventually, her outstanding work led to her recognition as the Air Force’s 2021 Photojournalist of the Year—what Christenson calls one of her biggest accomplishments.
But she still had her sights on college. As an Arizona native, she wanted to attend ASU, and the Active Duty and Reservist Commitment scholarship made it possible. With additional tuition assistance from the Air Force, Christenson was able to work full-time on the base and be a full-time mass communication and media studies student. She graduated in 2023.
Her online experience motivated Christenson to take her education further. “Cronkite is one of the top journalism schools,” she said. “Knowing how well-known and highly thought of it was what made me choose to go.” She began her masters in mass communication at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus this fall.
Following her graduate degree, Christenson plans to pursue her dreams of professional photography; she’d like to try National Geographic and fashion next.
Christenson’s striking work captures the Air Force’s tall tasks and high energy. Here are some of her favorite shots:
