At Randolph-Macon College, Leigh Oblinger ’91 loved exploring different facets of college life: She majored in arts management, played lacrosse, and did an internship at the Arts Council of Richmond.

Eager to see the world, her post-college years included a backpacking trek through Europe and a stint as a host at Club Med. The Charlottesville, Virginia native then made a bold move, packing up and heading to Los Angeles, where she landed a job as a production assistant—”a very entry-level position in entertainment,” she says with a laugh.

Saying Yes
I learned more than I could have imagined during that first job,” says Oblinger, who went on to work on TV shows, in film, and as a publicist for several movies. “I realized early on the importance of saying yes. It always led me to more jobs.”

Oblinger, who has lived in LA for 21 years, is currently a producer for the television shows “Access” and “Access Live” (formerly “Access Hollywood”) and has covered the Super Bowl on camera for the past seven years, interviewing superstars from Tom Brady to Justin Timberlake. “In my business, it’s all about who you know and maintaining relationships,” she says, “even when you may not want to!”

Lifelong Connections
Oblinger visits campus whenever she can, and stays connected to RMC by keeping up with former classmates.

“I also love getting the alumni magazine,” she says. “And—this could only happen at a small college—I keep in touch with Professor Ray Berry, who taught my all-time favorite course, Artistic Problems, in which we read Zen and the Art of the Motorcycle Maintenance. I formed relationships at Randolph-Macon that I will have forever.”

Good Advice
Oblinger enjoys watching the college evolve and is excited about new initiatives like the equestrian program and new majors such as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “Utilize the access you have to your professors,” she advises new Yellow Jackets. “If I had it to do over, I would talk to my professors more and pick their brains on everything—not just class-related subjects. And network as much as you can: My dog ended up modeling in a national campaign through an old friend at RMC!”

Home Joys
Oblinger has been married for 14 years to Aaron Hill, who runs a dog training center and boarding facility out of their home.

“My life is sort of a zoo at work and at home,” she says. “On any given night there are 20 dogs at our house—including our two, Beau and Bronco—but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”