Andy Rose, a University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information graduate, has been promoted to senior news desk reporter at CNN, marking a significant milestone in his nearly two-decade tenure with the network, the university announced on July 17.

Rose, who earned his degree from the School of Journalism and Media in 1999, joined CNN in 2007 as a radio anchor and editor. He has since worked across multiple platforms and roles at the Atlanta-based news hub, contributing to award-winning coverage of major stories including the 2010 Gulf oil spill.

In his new role, Rose takes on expanded responsibilities in both content creation and newsroom leadership as CNN focuses increasingly on digital platforms. He writes articles and coordinates reporting for CNN's website and mobile app, often handling complex investigations spanning legal cases and policy issues.

"When I first joined what was then called the national desk, I spent most of my time confirming information about developing stories," Rose said in a statement. "Now, as our focus turns more toward digital platforms, I am fully involved in every step of the process, writing full articles and often helping to select the images, video and graphics that help tell the story."

The promotion allows Rose to pursue more in-depth reporting while mentoring junior journalists. His specialties include legal cases and narrative writing, and his work ranges from breaking news updates to long-form articles exceeding 2,500 words that require extensive fact-checking and legal review.

Rose's path to national news began in Kentucky. While studying at UK, he worked as a student reporter at WUKY radio and covered Wildcats basketball celebrations during the university's Final Four runs in the mid-1990s. He later held positions at local television and radio stations in Lexington and Louisville before moving to Atlanta to pursue opportunities in national broadcasting.

His career reflects the evolving media landscape. Before his current position, Rose served as a national desk editor and affiliate content editor, coordinating with hundreds of U.S. television stations. He also received recognition for his coverage of regional weather emergencies.

Rose credits his UK education with shaping his ethical approach to journalism. "I learned a lot about the history and ethical foundations of modern journalism at UK, and those are discussions I'm still having almost 30 years later," he said.

For aspiring journalists, Rose stressed the importance of versatility in an industry experiencing rapid change. "There is more convergence in this field than ever, so learn how to write and report in every format you can," he advised. "Having the broadest skill set is important in an industry that is constantly shifting."