February 17, 2026 — When Cara Lacey '27M found out she had been selected for NBCUniversal’s Winter Olympics Immersion Program, she knew her world was about to shift dramatically. Already four years into building a versatile portfolio in sports media—reporting, designing, editing, and leading coverage at Marist’s Center Field—Cara now finds herself immersed in NBC’s Olympic operations as a press runner at the network’s Olympic Operations Center in Stamford, Connecticut, where her work is actively shaping coverage throughout the Games.

Her contribution touches nearly every piece of the communications workflow: tracking media narratives, pulling key moments from live broadcasts, and helping ensure NBC’s global storytelling remains accurate, timely, and compelling.

“Being on the communications team during the Olympics means you really are involved in everything,” she said. “Every clip and every quote matters, and it’s our job to stay on top of all of it. It’s a lot, but it’s the kind of work I genuinely love doing.”

Cara Lacey '27M outside the NBC studios in Stamford, Connecticut during the Winter Olympics. Photo courtesy of Cara Lacey.

A Front‑Row Seat to Global Storytelling
Marist’s strong pipeline to NBCUniversal is something the Center for Career Services sees reflected year after year.

“NBC continues to be one of the most impactful and rewarding career destinations for our students,” said Mary Jones, Executive Director of Marist Career Services. “We are proud to see Marist talent consistently excel across the organization. Our students regularly earn both internship and full-time opportunities with NBC, reflecting their strong preparation and the meaningful industry partnerships we have built together.”

Erin Fox '24 seen just before the Opening Ceremonies in Milan earlier this month. Erin is working as an Accommodations Runner for the Games and Event Management team at NBC. Photo courtesy of Erin Fox '24. 

Mentorship, Center Field, and Experiential Learning
Cara will complete her bachelor’s degree in communication this May, with double concentrations in sports communication and advertising and a minor in environmental studies. She is simultaneously enrolled in Marist’s online master’s program in digital marketing, with her graduate work ongoing throughout her time with NBC.

A defining part of her Marist experience has been her work at Center Field, the student‑run sports media outlet where she helped lead coverage across multiple sports, refined her multimedia reporting skills, and learned to operate in real newsroom environments. That work took her all the way to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans last year, where she contributed on‑the‑ground reporting during the inaugural Marist sports communication student trip.

Professor Joanna D’Avanzo, Senior Professional Lecturer of Advertising, has watched Cara’s growth since sophomore year.
“Cara is an excellent example of how Marist students thrive through immersive, experiential learning,” D’Avanzo said. “She has intentionally sought out opportunities that connect classroom learning to real‑world practice—from Sydney to Alaska to Cannes.”

These experiences, D’Avanzo added, sharpened Cara’s focus and professional goals. “Her trajectory reflects the kind of applied learning, ambition, and career readiness that Marist is committed to fostering.”

From NBC’s nerve center in Stamford, Cara continues to support coverage of athletes and events unfolding across Italy.

“Being the only intern on the communications team has definitely pushed me to grow fast,” she said. “I really feel like I’m contributing to something bigger than myself, and it’s helping me see where I want to go in sports media.”