Mikhayla Hughes-Shaw is a Quad Cities native from Rock Island, IL, and currently is a lifestyle reporter/host for Cincy Lifestyle on WCPO 9 in Cincinnati, OH. She earned her bachelor’s of arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a certificate in Critical Cultural Competence from the University of Iowa. She formerly worked as the main host of Loving Living Local airing weekdays on WHBF-TV in the Quad Cities. She highlighted the local places, people, and things that make the Quad Cities a great place to do life. She is excited to do the same for Cincy Lifestyle!

Mikhayla is well-versed in media including television reporting, magazine writing, podcasting, and social media management. In 2020, she worked as a News 21 Investigative Reporting Fellow for the Kids Imprisoned project, which investigated the disparities in the US juvenile justice system. This project received a Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Digital Reporting.

Mikhayla is not only a storyteller but also an advocate. She served as Miss Iowa 2018 for the Miss America Scholarship Program. During her year of service, she completed over 150 community and school appearances and talked to over 10,000 students about the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. She used this platform to compete for the title of Miss America 2019 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In 2019, she established her nonprofit organization How About HOPE (Helping Others & Providing Encouragement) which works to change stigmas surrounding mental illness, specifically focusing on minority mental health. She is passionate about making a difference.

Mikhayla also volunteers with Love Girls Magazine, instilling storytelling skills in the next generation of female writers.

What inspired you to pursue your career?
The art of storytelling is a tool that can be used to share perspectives and experiences with a broader audience. I learned quickly how powerful broadcasting can be, and I was hooked after my first internship. I grew up watching Paula Sands Live on KWQC TV 6 and wanted to do what she did, and I am so happy that I get to do similar work each day. 

How do you think your time at Rock Island High School helped prepare you for your success in your professional pursuits?
I was involved in quite a few extracurricular activities during my time at Rocky including orchestra, swimming, track & field, Student Ambassadors, and National Honors Society. Having a busy schedule helped me develop good time management skills as I moved into my professional career and my time in college as well.

Do you have any advice for current students or young alumni who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism?
Go for it! Try out the different forms of journalism. From newspapers and magazines to TV and podcasting, there is so much you can do with a journalism degree. It is a very rewarding line of work as well.

Do you have any favorite teachers, coaches, or club supervisors from your time at Rocky?
SO MANY! Too many to name honestly. The entire English department was incredible. My journalism class with Ms. Miers definitely helped me find my passion for storytelling as well. Mr. Manweiler is someone I still keep in touch with, as well as Mrs. Taylor. I am so grateful for the people who were a part of my high school journey.