NBCU academy adds 13 new academic partners, reaching 30 institutions across the country. Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication and College of Engineering is among the 13 added schools chosen to become academic partners for this year’s 2022 cohort.
The new 2022 cohort has also expanded into STEM programs providing opportunities for students beyond journalism to include business, engineering, technology and sports programs.
The partnership will provide media training that is free to all and accessible anywhere anytime across different skill levels. The online training hub will be a digital community. Not only will it feature tips and tricks from top-tier journalists in the industry, but resources and tools to help students understand what it takes to succeed in a fast-paced world of news.
The company has decided to invest $2 million towards grants to support the 13 new partners.
Tiana Sanders, a third-year broadcast journalism student, says NBCU academy will provide endless opportunities.
“I’m very excited about the opportunities NBCU Academy will bring to our campus,” Sanders said. “Not only will this partnership help us create the newsrooms of the future, but it’s a great opportunity to learn and grow to be next-level journalists.”
NBCU Academy has hired six graduates from five different NBCU Academy partner schools to work full-time for NBC News, including NBC Asian America and NBCBLK, to help students get top-tier experience.
This embedded program will deliver more equitable access to different communities that have been underrepresented in the news industry.
Simone Footman, a second-year broadcast journalism student, says that this is something that students and faculty should take advantage of.
“This is an opportunity where we can learn about the journalism landscape and how to position ourselves for success. But most importantly, take our careers to the next level,” Footman said.
Within the past year, over 50 percent of $6.5 million funded to different institutions have been given directly to students.
Kyrease Desseau, a senior at FAMU, believes that learning from professional and industry leaders in a highly competitive journalism media career is worth it because who doesn’t want to learn from the best of the best.
“This program will allow us to receive real-world insight and mentorship from NBCU Academy,” Desseau said. “I’m elated because we get to be a part of helping shape a truth and fact-based news process.”
At NBCU Academy, students will be able to browse lessons and different topics about news and journalism like feature writing and a behind-the-scenes sneak peek of how news happens. Short lessons are also provided that will teach students new skills and give advice to improve their abilities as a journalist.