As a communications major at Cal State Fullerton, Class of 2025 graduate Ariana Hartman made the most of her time by stepping out of her comfort zone and fully embracing all that the university had to offer.
Growing up in Fullerton and graduating from nearby Troy High School in 2021, the idea of attending CSUF was always a possibility. While her twin sister headed south to San Diego State University, Hartman researched the programs and opportunities available to her through CSUF’s College of Communications and ultimately chose to stay close to home.
Eager to get involved, Hartman dove headfirst into college life and communications at CSUF. During her first semester as a freshman, she spotted an advertisement for Titan Radio DJs and applied on a whim. Before she knew it, she was behind the microphone hosting her own show.
Despite not knowing exactly what she was doing, she created a game plan, and “Hart to Heart” was born. The show ran throughout her four years of college, covering current events, pop culture and everything in between.
“I have people on, friends or people I’m just getting to know, and it always starts out fun, talking about whatever we want, then it ends with a heart-to-heart conversation, a message to give our listeners, something they can sit with throughout the rest of the day,” Hartman said. “Being able to work with studio equipment and present myself as my own host of something and advertise something I’m passionate about has been really awesome.”
Her experience on Titan Radio gave Hartman the confidence she needed to step into other programs and organizations within the College of Communications. Her journey continued with a role in print media at Tusk Magazine, where she served as editorial director for the 2024 issue, overseeing a small group of editors and acting as a liaison between the general manager and the rest of the team.
“I had experienced writing news articles before, but this was a full-fledged magazine that we gave out to students and people all over the community,” Hartman said. “I was really happy to get involved with that written and photographic form of media.”
After deciding on an emphasis in journalism and a double minor in marketing and cinema television arts, Hartman knew that for her capstone, she wanted to go the broadcasting route. That led to OC News, CSUF’s student-produced television newscast. Although she had some experience with broadcasting in high school, this was a full show of packages each week that provides students a glimpse into a real-life television newsroom. It was a setting where Hartman excelled.
“I wore a bunch of hats, and a lot of people looked up to me for guidance, which was a little overwhelming, but I felt very respected,” said Hartman of the OC News experience.
She enjoyed being on set so much that Hartman finished out her college career as one of the anchors on an all-female cast for “The Report,” a magazine-style news show on Titan TV that covers top stories nationwide and around the world.
Beyond the College of Communications, Hartman thrived in the University Honors Program, where small classes and close connections with professors offered the academic challenge she desired. She recently presented her senior honors project, a novel titled “Ethereal Bodies: Memoir of a Ghostwriter.”
Hartman was able to highlight her Titan experience in season 13 of “The College Tour,” a streaming series on Amazon Prime Video that profiles colleges and universities from across the U.S.
Additionally, Hartman served as president and board member for CSUF’s chapter of Best Buddies, an organization that connects Titan students with local college-age students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Reflecting on her broad range of experiences, Hartman is confident she made the right choice in attending CSUF.
“At Cal State Fullerton, they really put the emphasis on being able to do whatever you want,” Hartman said. “You’re not bound to just one thing. … I was never confined to one area. I felt I was able to do a lot of exploring … and I feel like I’m still able to be my own person.”
CSUF’s College of Communications gave Hartman a rewarding four years filled with hands-on learning, life-changing professors and best friends. She is looking forward to a career where she can continue to build connections and tell inspiring stories.
And for new Titan students who might be unsure of their next steps, Hartman encourages them to embrace the college journey, remain authentic and stay open to new opportunities along the way.
“College is a scary decision, but know that you need to trust your gut,” Hartman said. “The first few months are always the hardest in any form of change, but there’s going to be a day where you look back and you’ll realize you have no regrets, and that’s the most important part. Things are difficult because change is scary, but it needs to happen. And everything will follow suit.”
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