Before Kaitlan Collins questioned presidents and anchored her own CNN program, she was a University of Alabama student trying to choose the right major.
The Prattville native went on to build a national journalism career and earn a place in her alma mater’s College of Communication & Information Sciences Hall of Fame.
Collins was one of four professionals selected for the 2026 class and was formally inducted on Oct. 15 at the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa. The other honorees were communications professional Stephen Bradley, former The Birmingham News editor Thomas Scarritt and longtime library and academic leader Jerry Stephens.
Established in 1998, the Hall of Fame honors people whose accomplishments in the college’s fields have brought recognition to Alabama.
Collins didn’t arrive in Tuscaloosa planning to become a journalist. She initially studied chemistry, following the example of her older sister, before switching to journalism and political science.
The university said the switch helped her find her voice and a sense of purpose. By the time she graduated in 2014, she headed to Washington, where she worked at The Daily Caller. She began covering entertainment before becoming the publication’s White House correspondent at the start of President Donald Trump’s first administration.
She joined CNN in 2017 and later became the youngest chief White House correspondent in the network’s history at age 28.
Today, Collins anchors The Source with Kaitlan Collins and serves as CNN’s chief White House correspondent. She has covered Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, reporting on their administrations and traveling overseas with both.
Her work has also included interviews with world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In 2026, Collins received the White House Correspondents’ Association’s broadcast award for Excellence in Presidential News Coverage Under Deadline Pressure. Her other recognition includes the 2024 TIME100 Next list and Forbes’ 2019 30 Under 30 list in media.
The university also credits her reporting as part of CNN’s Emmy Award-winning coverage. It described Collins as a well-prepared journalist who works to get beyond talking points in search of answers.
WHNT News 19 anchor Tamika Alexander, who also attended the induction ceremony, congratulated Collins in a Facebook post.
“Your accomplishments and contributions to journalism are a testament to the excellence and impact of the University of Alabama. The Capstone is truly a place where legends are made! Roll Tide!” Alexander wrote.
In a university tribute video, sports commentator Paul Finebaum spoke about Collins’ personality as well as her reporting.
“One of the most engaging, charismatic people. That’s just the personal side of her. Forget the fact that she’s one of the great journalists of our generation,” Finebaum said.
Collins has remained connected to the university since graduation. Along with following the news in Washington, the Prattville native still makes time to follow the Crimson Tide.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
