Stepfanie Alfonso earned both her BA and MA in communication studies from California State University-San Bernardino, where her undergraduate dual concentration in media studies and relational/organizational communication provided a comprehensive foundation for understanding media systems within community contexts. She would like to continue her scholarly focus on community journalism and media coalitions in the mass communications Ph.D. program at Penn State.
Alfonso's research trajectory has been shaped by her commitment to strengthening local news ecosystems, particularly in underserved regions like California’s Inland Empire. Her master’s work centered on community media coalition (CMC) building as a mechanism for supporting local journalism infrastructure. She has presented research with her mentor at the Union for Democratic Communications Conference, and her work at the Collaborative Journalism Summit, where she engaged with scholars and practitioners who share her commitment to media justice and community-centered approaches to journalism studies.
Her scholarly interests converge at the intersection of political economy, journalism studies and policy research, with particular emphasis on how regulatory and economic frameworks impact community-level journalism. As a critical qualitative scholar, Alfonso's research agenda seeks to examine the policy mechanisms that either facilitate or hinder sustainable local news operations, exploring how community media coalitions can serve as both advocacy vehicles and structural supports for grassroots journalism initiatives. Her methodological approach emphasizes participatory research methods and community-engaged scholarship that centers the voices and experiences of those most affected by media policy decisions.
At Penn State, Alfonso aims to expand her research scope through rigorous policy analysis, investigating how media policies at local, state, and federal levels shape the viability of community journalism. She seeks to address pressing questions about media access, information equity, and democratic participation in communities that face significant barriers to quality news coverage.
Alfonso's long-term scholarly vision involves developing theoretical frameworks and practical strategies for CMC formation in underserved communities, contributing to both academic understanding and real-world applications in media advocacy and community organizing.
Through her doctoral studies, she seeks to bridge academic research with community practice, positioning herself as both a scholar and an advocate for media justice in marginalized communities.
Alfonso's favorite pastimes include freediving with sharks or hiking with her dog and cat.
