TJ Dysart ’21

Joined WISN 12 News as one of the youngest on-air reporters in Milwaukee, covering politics and community stories after earning journalism honors at Marquette.

From the Classroom to the Newsroom

A Boston native and Austin Prep alumnus, TJ Dysart is rising through the ranks of broadcast journalism in America’s heartland. He graduated from Marquette University in 2025 with a double major in Journalism and Criminology and wasted no time immersing himself in the field. During his college years, Dysart discovered the power of media early. “Media is what truly changed everything for me. Getting hands-on experience behind the camera, in front of it, and in the editing room opened my eyes to what storytelling could be. It gave me my first real taste of journalism, and that experience sparked a passion I have carried with me ever since.”

That spark began at Austin Prep, where Dysart embraced the opportunity to explore multiple interests. “What made Austin Prep special was the freedom to explore. I was not limited to one lane. I could dive into sports, media, education, the arts, and so many other programs. Each opportunity taught me something different about who I was and what I was capable of.” He credits APS Media as a guiding influence. “APS Media, in particular, showed me the power of giving people a voice and documenting the world around me. It helped me realize that journalism is not just a profession. It is a responsibility and a way to connect communities.”

At Marquette, Dysart took on key roles at the university’s news outlets, interned with WISN 12 News and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and earned a competitive internship in Washington, D.C. with NBC News Now. While assisting Hallie Jackson’s national news program, he gained experience covering political stories at the highest level, and interviewing public officials and state leaders fueled his commitment to the field.

Covered the 2024 Presidential Election While Still in College

Dysart’s big break came in the crucible of a presidential election in a battleground state. While still in college, he helped cover the 2024 campaign in swing-state Wisconsin, an assignment that “propelled [him] to realize that TV journalism is [his] passion.” Reporting on high-stakes politics, fact-checking claims, and bringing viewers breaking developments affirmed that he had chosen the right path.

The lessons of honest storytelling and respectful civic engagement, instilled at Austin Prep, blended seamlessly with the demands of election coverage. By graduation, Dysart had built an impressive portfolio of investigative pieces, political coverage, and live shots, showcasing poise and maturity well beyond his years.

Now Reporting Full Time for ABC’s Milwaukee Affiliate

In February 2025, Dysart officially joined the team at WISN 12 News in Milwaukee as a full-time reporter, marking the launch of his professional journalism career. At 22 years old, he became one of the youngest on-air reporters in the Milwaukee market and was, in his own words, “ecstatic” to begin covering community news and politics for the ABC affiliate. His work now spans breaking news, crime, politics, culture, and human interest reporting across southeastern Wisconsin.

Dysart still reflects often on the close bonds formed at Austin Prep. “My favorite memory from high school is not a single moment, it is the entire second half of my senior year. After months of isolation during COVID-19, coming back in person felt like hitting reset. Something changed in our class. The usual friend groups did not really exist anymore. Instead, everyone blended into one big community. We were all just grateful to be together again.”

He adds, “I still tell people that I am one of the only members of the Class of 2021 I know who actually got a real prom and a real graduation. Those milestones were not a given that year, and the fact that Austin Prep worked so hard to make them happen meant a lot.”

As he chases stories that matter to families across Wisconsin, Dysart continues to carry with him the commitment to veritas he learned at Austin Prep. His journey from Reading, Massachusetts, to a Midwestern TV newsroom reflects the lasting impact of a foundation built on curiosity, exploration, and community and signals the promise of many impactful stories still ahead.

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