Alumna Maddie Lucy Thriving in NYC’s TV Scene

How hands-on learning and community helped launch a dream career in TV

When Maddie Lucy ('25) graduated from high school in Dinwiddie, Virginia, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she found herself with time. Time to reflect, and time to dream bigger than the boundaries of her small hometown.  

“I loved television growing up, I grew up watching everything from live shows like Dancing with the Stars to scripted series like The Umbrella Academy,” Lucy said. “I decided, maybe I could do this as a real career and started researching media production programs.” 

Then she found Belmont. 

She credits a YouTube vlog from a Belmont student for introducing her to the University. One campus tour later, her mom confirmed what she already felt: she had found her people. 

 Today, Lucy is living and working in New York City’s television industry, a life she never imagined four short years ago.  

“I certainly could not imagine being where I am right now without Belmont,” she said. 

Day One Hands-On Learning  

As a student, Lucy majored in media production with a minor in emerging media and immediately dove into the hands-on learning available in the Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business.  

“From my first semester, I was on cameras, working live events like Showcase, and learning directly from faculty with real industry experience,” she said. 

One course that proved especially formative was Live TV Studio Production with professor Rick Bengtson. In the fast-paced, eight-week course students develop their own show for a final project. Lucy’s show focused on her study abroad experience in London. She directed, produced and even appeared in front of the camera to make her vision come to life.  

“I produced it from start to finish — booking guests, writing questions, directing in the control room,” she said. “That project showed me I could really do this.”  

Beyond the Classroom: Leadership and Real-World Experience 

Lucy’s Belmont experience wasn’t limited to coursework. She held leadership roles in the Office of Admissions, served as a Bruin Recruiter, a Towering Traditions orientation leader and was co-captain of the Boulevard Team, Belmont’s student-run social media crew. 

“The Boulevard Team was one of the most beneficial things I’ve done at Belmont,” she said. “Running a team, producing content for campus partners and managing content creators gave me good leadership experience and helped me learn to create high-quality work for clients.” 

Her active student involvement also helped develop her people skills and make connections, equipping her with the confidence needed for her personality to shine during the competitive interview process to be an intern for an award-winning, late-night live comedy show and land the job.  

Another valuable resume-building experience was co-producing Belmont Tracks, a student-run acoustic concert series filmed on campus. Working with videographers, audio engineers and artists, Lucy coordinated logistics, scheduled talent and managed crews.  

“Belmont Tracks taught me how to lead in a collaborative, entertainment ecosystem,” she said. “It directly prepared me for the kind of work I’m doing now in New York.” 

A Year in the Big Apple 

Lucy’s desire to explore beyond Nashville led her to the Belmont USA program in New York City. What started as a semester-long study away opportunity turned into a full year when her internship asked her to stay on. 

“I wasn’t expecting to extend, but faculty at Belmont, like Dr. Jen Duck and my advisor Nathan Adam, were so supportive when the opportunity came,” she recalled. “They helped me stay on track to graduate while gaining invaluable experience.” 

Now embedded in New York’s fast-paced media world, Lucy is working on sets, supporting pre-production planning and producing projects with fellow interns. She hopes to one day become a talent producer or maybe even launch her own production company. 

“The industry is even more collaborative than I imagined,” she said. “Belmont helped me build the skills and confidence I needed to thrive here.”  

Lifelong Connections 

While Lucy is quick to credit her coursework and campus involvement for her professional readiness, the people she met along the way have left an indelible mark. 

“The Belmont community is what I’m most proud of,” she said. “I feel like I have made connections that will last me a lifetime. I was able to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do with a supportive community around me. Even in New York, I’ve found a network of alumni and was able to have that sense of home.” 

For incoming students considering Belmont, her advice is simple: “Get involved. Whether it be with other students, organizations within Curb College or even outside of your major. There are so many opportunities for different projects to work on.”