Award-Winning Journalist Chelsea Helms to address Class of 2025

May 12, 2025

SARANAC LAKE – North Country Community College is proud to announce that Chelsea Helms, an award-winning journalist and evening news anchor for CBS4 in Central Indiana, and an alumnus of the college, will serve as the keynote speaker for North Country’s 57th Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 17, at 11 a.m. in the Sparks Athletic Complex on the college’s Saranac Lake campus.

Chelsea Helms grew up in Malone and graduated from North Country in 2012 with a degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences: Humanities and Social Science. She earned a Broadcast Journalism degree from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2015 and has since built a nationally recognized career in journalism.

Currently the main evening anchor at CBS4, Helms brings a wealth of experience and insight to the commencement stage, having covered some of the most pressing and emotional stories of the past decade. Her work has taken her across the country—from Colorado to Arkansas to Indiana—and earned her multiple professional accolades.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chelsea Helms back to North Country for this year’s commencement,” said NCCC President Joe Keegan. “Her journey from our region to becoming a respected voice in the field of journalism is a testament to her hard work, compassion, and commitment. Her message will undoubtedly inspire our graduates as they take the next step in their own journeys.”

Helms began her career as a multimedia journalist at KREX5 News in Grand Junction, Colorado, where she quickly rose to the role of main anchor and executive producer. She later became a leading anchor in Northwest Arkansas at KNWA News, covering major stories ranging from the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic to officer-involved deaths and high-profile court cases.

In 2023, the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists named her “Outstanding New Journalist,” and her reporting has earned multiple additional honors, including Emmy nominations. A five-part series she produced on the 20th anniversary of September 11th was one of her most lauded projects.

Beyond her work in journalism, Helms is an active supporter of nonprofit causes, particularly those related to heart health—a cause that became deeply personal after the unexpected passing of her father from a heart attack in 2015. She has served on several nonprofit boards, helping guide funding decisions and hosting numerous charitable events.

Outside of the newsroom, Helms enjoys staying active and exploring the outdoors with her dog, Ruth. Her hobbies include kayaking, hiking, and discovering new restaurants.

The college invites students, faculty, families, and members of the community to join in celebrating the Class of 2025 and hearing from a hometown success whose voice and values continue to make an impact on communities near and far.

For more information on the ceremony, visit www.nccc.edu/about/commencement.