For more than a decade, has built a reputation as one of Charlotte’s most trusted journalists, reporting on breaking news, holding public officials accountable, and keeping his community informed.

On Oct. 9, as part of the university’s Homecoming Weekend, the WSOC-TV reporter returned to his alma mater to receive the School of Communications’ 2026 Outstanding Alumnus Award.

Bruno, the 16th recipient of the honor, was recognized during the school’s Alumni Campus Connect gathering in Snow Family Grand Atrium, surrounded by students, faculty, staff and fellow graduates. Among those in attendance was retired journalism professor Rich Landesberg, Bruno’s longtime mentor, whose presence made the recognition especially meaningful.

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Since graduating in 2014, Bruno has established himself as a leading voice in investigative journalism, earning Walter Cronkite, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia, Edward R. Murrow and George Polk awards, along with six Emmy Awards. He was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2020, and his investigative reporting helped expose election fraud in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, drawing national attention.

“Without Rich and without this school, this kid from Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, would have never had any of these opportunities,” Bruno said during his acceptance remarks. “Thank you, �鶹��Ƶ, for everything you have given to me.”

In presenting the award, Communications Dean Kenn Gaither praised Bruno’s professional accomplishments and his commitment to the communities he serves.

“It is always gratifying to watch an �鶹��Ƶ graduate succeed, but there’s something particularly special about watching one of our own become such an important and trusted voice in the community he serves.”
– Dean Kenn Gaither

Gaither also highlighted Bruno’s continued connection to �鶹��Ƶ, noting the significance of honoring him in the same atrium where Bruno and fellow alumnus Gary Grumbach ’16 organized two years earlier.

“That day, Joe was here to honor someone who helped shape him,” Gaither said. “Today, in the very same space, we have the privilege of honoring Joe.”

The connection came full circle when Bruno, visibly moved, spotted Landesberg standing among the attendees and thanked the former professor for his guidance and friendship.

“I also could not have done any of this without my Rich Landesberg, who I consider a member of my family,” Bruno said. “You are a trusted adviser and friend, and you have made such an impact on my life and so many others.”

Gaither also shared praise from Landesberg, who described Bruno as one of the hardest-working students he had ever taught.

“He is tireless in his commitment to holding the powerful accountable and making sure the people of Charlotte know what is happening in and around their city,” Landesberg said.

At home at �鶹��Ƶ

During his acceptance remarks, Bruno recalled how his mother first introduced him to �鶹��Ƶ, a university unfamiliar to many in his hometown. But during a campus visit, he found himself drawn to the school’s student television studio, where the opportunity to gain hands-on broadcasting experience helped convince him �鶹��Ƶ was the right fit.

As a high school senior, Bruno began watching Phoenix 14News broadcasts, eager to join the student journalists he saw on screen. Once he arrived at �鶹��Ƶ, he quickly became involved in the student news organization, gaining on-air and production experience within weeks of starting college.

“The best thing about �鶹��Ƶ is I didn’t have to wait until my junior year to get involved,” he said. “I was able to hit the ground running right as a freshman.”

Equally influential were the relationships he developed with fellow student journalists. Bruno recalled an environment where students challenged and supported one another, united by their enthusiasm for reporting and serving their community.

“We never competed against each other. We rooted for each other,” he said, explaining that the collaborative spirit continues to shape how he approaches his work today.

Addressing current students, Bruno encouraged them to embrace their interests and make the most of the opportunities available at �鶹��Ƶ.

“Whether it’s about news, whether it’s about sports, whatever you do, keep that light under you and pursue what you are pursuing with all of your heart,” he said.

Alumni return to connect with students

Bruno’s recognition was a highlight of Alumni Campus Connect, an informal networking event where eight graduates shared career insights and advice with current students.

Dan Erdman ’06, vice president of creative media at WWE, drew a crowd of students interested in his work in sports entertainment. Nearby, students connected with Los Angeles-based actress, writer and producer Paige Hullett ’16 to discuss careers in Hollywood and Women of the �鶹��Ƶ Entertainment Empire (WEEE), the alumni organization she leads. Also returning to campus was recent graduate Anjolina Fantaroni ’26, now a reporter at WAFF 48 in Huntsville, Alabama, who offered a firsthand perspective on transitioning from �鶹��Ƶ to the professional newsroom.

Participating alumni included:

• Halle Brennan ’21, Sales Associate Manager, Amazon Ads
• Joe Bruno ’14, Reporter, WSOC-TV
• Dan Erdman ’06, Vice President of Creative Media, WWE
• Anjolina Fantaroni ’26, Reporter, WAFF 48
• Caroline Grell ’17, Program Manager of Product Development Program, Capital One
• Paige Hullett ’16, Los Angeles-based actress, writer, producer, president of Women of the �鶹��Ƶ Entertainment Empire
• Becky Lane ’95, Senior Vice President-Marketing Development Manager, Bank of America
• Sarah Stone Richter ’19, Growth Marketing Manager, Quantam Health

Steinman, director of communications for Checkmarx, was named a , earning recognition in the publication’s Nonprofit PR Innovators category. The category honors communicators whose work for a nonprofit organization, association, government entity or university increased donations or membership, secured major media coverage or raised awareness.

Steinman was honored on Oct. 6 during PRNEWS’ Platinum Awards & People of the Year Gala in New York City. Steinman was one of two School of Communications alumnae honored by PRNEWS this year. Amanda Gibson ’21, director of public relations and business development at Hannah Cranston Media, was recognized in the Ones to Watch category. Gibson’s honor was previously highlighted in a recent Today at �鶹��Ƶ story.

The recognition continues a recent run of �鶹��Ƶ alumni honored by PRNEWS, with Brooke McClary ’18, senior communications manager at Expel, receiving the event’s Rising Star honor in 2025.

“I’m really proud of this recognition because I know how hard I’ve worked to get to this point,” Steinman said. “It has not always been easy, and there have definitely been moments when I questioned whether I wanted to stay in communications or considered going in a different direction.”

The strategic communications major said the recognition reflects not only her own work, but also the support she has received throughout her career.

“I’ve had incredible mentors who have helped me grow, challenged me and taught me what it means to be a strong communications professional and leader,” she said. “So, this recognition is also a reflection of all the people who have invested in me along the way.”

The honor coincided with a recent career milestone for Steinman, who joined Checkmarx in September as director of communications. In the role, she leads the cybersecurity company’s global public relations strategy, including its approach to media engagement, while supporting thought leadership, messaging and other corporate communications initiatives.

“PR is really my bread and butter, so I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to shape our media engagement approach and help determine how Checkmarx shows up externally,” Steinman said.

Steinman brings nearly a decade of cybersecurity communications experience to the role, including four years with ISC2, a global nonprofit professional association for cybersecurity professionals.

Throughout her career, Steinman said she has learned the value of doing her own research, examining issues from multiple perspectives, and asking thoughtful questions. She has also made continued learning a priority.

“A lot of where I’ve gotten stronger over the years has come from continuing to learn outside of work, whether that’s reading articles about better PR strategies, following the right influencers and publications, or making sure I’m aware of the news and conversations shaping our industry,” Steinman said.

Steinman credits her �鶹��Ƶ education with providing a foundation for that growth. By graduation, she had participated in three public relations and marketing extracurricular activities and had opportunities to lead and design her own projects.

“�鶹��Ƶ did a really great job preparing me through hands-on learning,” Steinman said. “Having those real-world experiences before I even entered the workforce was great.”

She said �鶹��Ƶ’s emphasis on teamwork and project-based learning also prepared her for the collaborative nature of the communications industry.

“You’re not just responsible for your own work,” Steinman said. “You’re collaborating with other people and learning how to communicate effectively with different personalities and perspectives.

“�鶹��Ƶ gave me a really strong combination of skills that I continue to use every day.”

For Galvin, that brand of creative risk defined why she fell in love with �鶹��Ƶ Student Television in the first place. Now taking charge as station manager of ESTV, she wants to make sure every student creator has the operational backing to pull off ambitious ideas.

Galvin initially studied cinema and television arts at �鶹��Ƶ before shifting her path to strategic communications with a finance minor. She found her entry point to ESTV at the organization fair in the fall of her freshman year, quickly getting started in the control rooms. Originally a general member, Galvin quickly found herself in positions such as social media manager and producer of ESTV’s “eTalk” program.

“At first I was like a deer in headlights, and I couldn’t speak in front of a camera,” Galvin said. That was exposure therapy in a big way, so it has really been helpful in that regard. ESTV is a great place to gain experience, even if you’re not a communications major. It’s a cool creative outlet.”

ESTV produces seven active shows: “�鶹��Ƶ Tonight,” “�鶹��Ƶ After Hours,” “eTalk,” “Jam Session,” “The Ha Ha,” “Win Stuff” and “4A.” The formats range from live stand-up filmed at The Oak House to weekly musical showcases to a long-running game show.

“It’s a learning environment where people are also able to really inject a lot of creativity into it,” Galvin said. “The role is going to become more student-led. The faculty really told me that it’s a more student-centered production than in past years, and I think it’s been really interesting to be able to work with the budget and faculty directly.”

Heading into the 2026-27 academic year, Galvin’s primary objective is elevating production value while removing administrative burdens from show producers. Working alongside Staci Saltz, chair of the Cinema & Television Arts Department and the organization’s new faculty adviser, technical director Logan Davilla ’29, and marketing director Andrew Weber ’28, Galvin has instituted mandatory dry-run rehearsals and goal-setting for all active members.

“This year, we changed our training practices so that every studio’s first episode is a dry run. They use that date to familiarize themselves with their new crew and receive show-specific training from our head engineer. We want to make sure we are working on quality first and foremost.”

Galvin is also tackling the business end of operations, including the university’s Student Media Board funding proposals and equipment maintenance. She works directly with faculty and staff members such as Bryan Baker, School of Communications director of technology, operations and multimedia projects, to support each production team to get new studio sets, equipment or refurbishments that would help maintain ESTV’s productions.

“I like working directly with shows to address their specific needs,” Galvin said. “Being on the media board has been incredibly interesting thus far. I like hearing about what’s happening in the communication school and about what other student-media leaders are working on. Everyone’s passion for their individual projects is pretty infectious”

Beyond internal mechanics, Galvin wants to transform how ESTV engages the broader student body. She is organizing a revamped YouTube upload calendar and coordinating with Weber to build consistent social media reels. She is also actively recruiting beyond the School of Communications quad, in an attempt to bring in creative writing students for comedy sketch scripts, theater actors for performances and business students as talk show anchors.

“I think it’s better actually if we’re pulling from multiple majors on campus, and I think that offers a bunch of different and unique perspectives because in the communications school we can get siloed very quickly,” Galvin said. “There’s no experience needed. We want more people in different schools to join, even as a creative outlet.”

Galvin said she hopes to position ESTV as a launchpad where students across all disciplines build professional-grade reels and submit content to national student award competitions.

“All we’re trying to do is make everything as efficient as possible and increase the quality of our shows so that everyone has a really strong portfolio,” Galvin said. “Making ESTV as universal on campus as possible, trying to reach as many folks as possible, is my goal, and making everyone in the organization feel very heard.”

Bravo was invited to speak during “Diplomacia Digital y Gobernanza Tecnológica en la Política Exterior Contemporánea” (“Digital Diplomacy and Technological Governance in Contemporary Foreign Policy”), a multiweek professional development program held in Mexico City.

Joining the program virtually on Sept. 22, Bravo delivered an hourlong presentation exploring how diplomats can construct stories that are interesting, understandable and useful to different audiences across digital and traditional platforms.

During her presentation, Bravo discussed communication theories such as framing and strategic narratives, demonstrating how established narratives can be reframed through counter-narratives to offer alternative perspectives and elevate underrepresented voices.

She highlighted examples involving the #MeToo movement and advocacy surrounding reproductive rights to illustrate how narratives can be reframed through online and offline communication. Bravo explained how similar strategies, grounded in ethical principles and accuracy, can be applied to diplomacy and foreign policy.

Turning specifically to Mexico, Bravo discussed the country’s emphasis on protecting human rights regardless of where individuals live or their immigration status. She also highlighted Mexico’s framing of immigration as a shared responsibility with the United States.

Approximately 20 diplomats from Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs attended the session, along with professors from Mexican universities that partner with the Matías Romero Institute.

Mexican diplomat Rodrigo Márquez Latigue, who coordinates training and courses at the institute, invited Bravo to participate after previously hearing her present at the International Studies Association’s annual conference. Her research and expertise include strategic communications, government-diaspora communications and public diplomacy. The formal invitation was extended on behalf of Ambassador Juan José Bremer, director of the institute.

Established in 1974 by Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, the Matías Romero Institute is responsible for training and professional development for Mexican diplomats.

A new chapter in �鶹��Ƶ’s global sport education programming officially began Sept. 7 in Pistoia, Italy.

Five �鶹��Ƶ students arrived in the Tuscan city as the inaugural cohort participating in the university’s partnership with Lumos Pistoia Basket 2000, a professional basketball organization, and the Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF). Their arrival was marked by a from the club as the students prepare to begin a semester combining study abroad with hands-on experience in the professional sport industry.

As part of their initial visit, the students explored Pistoia’s historic center before making their way to LumoSquare, the 3,835-seat home of Pistoia Basket and a growing community hub. Accompanied by Professor Marco Bracci and Elisabetta Santanni, academic director of AEF/�鶹��Ƶ in Florence, the group toured the facility, met members of the club staff, and received a personal welcome from Pistoia Basket President Joseph Mark David.

The visit offered the students their first look at the organization, where they will soon become part of the day-to-day operations. Beginning in mid-September, they will work alongside Pistoia Basket staff on projects involving sport management, marketing and social media.

“This experience is over a year in the making and couldn’t have come together without the amazing work of our partners at AEF, especially Elisabetta Santanni and Marco Bracci,” said David Bockino, professor of sport management. “As we launch the partnership this semester, we’re already discussing how to make it accessible to more students moving forward. The reception on campus has been great – we have students lining up to participate in the future.”

A global professional experience

Announced last fall, �鶹��Ƶ’s partnership with AEF and Pistoia Basket was developed in collaboration with the Department of Sport Management to expand experiential learning opportunities for students studying in Florence. It combines two hallmarks of an �鶹��Ƶ education – global engagement and professional experience – placing students inside a European professional sport organization while they study abroad.

“This experience was the logical next step as �鶹��Ƶ grows its sport-related experiences,” Bockino said. “As a university, we’re great at study abroad and at helping our students get internships. Why not put those two together? When these students eventually hit the job market, they’ll arrive with a true resume differentiator: an internship with a professional Italian basketball club that allows them to better understand sport from a global perspective.”

As part of a mentored, two-credit internship with Pistoia Basket, students will spend approximately 10 hours each week gaining practical experience in event operations, fan engagement, marketing, communications and social media. Their responsibilities will be tailored to their academic backgrounds and professional interests.

For example, students interested in media analytics may evaluate the club’s social media performance, while students studying sport management or strategic communications will work to increase Pistoia Basket’s visibility among college students studying abroad in Florence. Participants will also meet regularly with accompanying professors and complete applied and reflection-based assignments.

The cohort will also contribute to a video storytelling project designed to introduce Pistoia Basket to new audiences in the United States. Funded by the �鶹��Ƶ Innovation Council and coordinated through �鶹��Ƶ’s Sports Media Lab and �鶹��Ƶ Sports Vision, the project will use footage captured by the students to tell the story of Pistoia’s 2026-27 season. According to Bockino, the resulting videos are expected to appear on �鶹��Ƶ social media channels and during �鶹��Ƶ Athletics broadcasts.

This fall’s inaugural cohort includes Robbie Pataky ’28, a strategic communications major; Amelia Weaver ’28, a sport management and media analytics double major; Riley Greenwald ’28, a sport management major; Olivia Tichnor ’28, a marketing major; and Max Edelstein ’28, a sport management major.

Qian Xu, professor of strategic communications and A.J. Fletcher Professor, collaborated with Cheng Chen, assistant professor at Oregon State University, on a study examining how AI conversational styles interact with users’ expectations of the roles AI should play.

Their article, “” was recently published in Behaviour & Information Technology, a peer-reviewed academic journal that focuses on human-centered information technology.

The experiment randomly assigned 137 college students to one of three Microsoft Copilot conversational styles of Copilot  – creative, balanced or precise – and measured which role they expected the tool to fulfill: co-author, creator, curator or converser. Participants then completed at least three rounds of interaction with Copilot to develop a strategic plan addressing a public health issue in their home county.

Key findings include:

• Copilot’s conversational style affected the readability and linguistic features of its responses, including the use of words associated with analytical thinking and authenticity.
• Users adapted their writing based on Copilot’s conversational style, particularly in the readability of their prompts.
• Users and Copilot showed linguistic alignment in emotional tone and clout across all three conversational styles but diverged in analytical thinking.
• Mismatches between Copilot’s conversational style and users’ expectations of its role reduced perceived credibility and relevance of its responses.

“AI conversational style is more than a matter of preference. What matters is how well the style fits the roles users expect AI to play,” Xu said. The findings point to opportunities for more adaptive AI interfaces that adjust conversational style based on users’ expectations and tasks.

Behaviour & Information Technology is an international peer-reviewed Taylor & Francis journal covering the human aspects of information technology, including usability, user experience, human-computer interaction and human-centered design.

The annual recognition honors emerging public relations professionals making their mark on the industry in the early stages of their careers. For Gibson, the recognition gave her a chance to appreciate how much she and HCM have grown in a relatively short time.

“PRNEWS is one of the most respected platforms in the industry, so it’s an honor to be recognized,” Gibson said. “I’ve spent the past few years watching Hannah Cranston Media grow from a team of three to a team of more than 20, and most days I’m too deep in pitching and problem-solving to stop and think about how far we’ve come.”

While Gibson has built her career in public relations, many of the skills that guide her work today were developed through her experiences as a journalism major at �鶹��Ƶ.

The Honors Fellow was heavily involved with �鶹��Ƶ News Network as an anchor and multimedia journalist, while also participating other immersive experiences like FreshTV. Those opportunities helped establish a foundation in storytelling that she continues to draw upon while working on the public relations side of the media industry.

“�鶹��Ƶ gave me a passion for storytelling and a tenacious curiosity, both essential to my career,” Gibson said. “Working as a reporter and anchor with ENN taught me what it takes to build a good story, and what makes people actually connect with one – the human element has to come first.”

That journalism background, Gibson said, has proved especially valuable as she develops stories and works directly with reporters.

“It’s shaped how I think about what a good story looks like and made me a better resource to the journalists I work with today,” she said.

Following graduation, Gibson spent three years with Jennifer Bett Communications before joining HCM in early 2024 as senior manager of public relations. She was promoted to director of public relations and business development six months later.

In her current position, Gibson oversees the agency’s consumer packaged goods, women’s health and wellness client roster, with responsibilities spanning client strategy and media relations. Her work can range from developing pitch strategies with colleagues to staffing events with reporters and cultivating media relationships. “My job changes shape depending on the week – which is one of the best parts,” she said.

Gibson credits much of her professional growth to learning the importance of surrounding herself with people committed to their work and to one another.

“Bet on people over playbooks. In an industry built on relationships, we can teach anyone to write a pitch or find the right story – but working alongside people who are passionately determined and hungry to see their teams succeed is an irreplaceable, unteachable quality.”

– Amanda Gibson ’21

Gibson also points to retired �鶹��Ƶ faculty members Rich Landesberg and Glenn Scott as influential mentors. She credits Landesberg with instilling a respect for journalism’s ability to serve communities, an outlook that has influenced the brands and people she chooses to work with. Her research with Scott examining how stories are told around major events also continues to inform her approach to identifying stories and perspectives that might otherwise be overlooked.

Those lessons, along with the relationships she developed during her undergraduate years, remain important to Gibson five years after graduating.

“Beyond the classroom, the friendships and mentors I found at �鶹��Ƶ continue to be a bedrock of both my life and my career,” Gibson said, “I’m endlessly grateful for my time Under the Oaks.”

School of Communications faculty members earned research and teaching honors and shared their expertise on topics ranging from artificial intelligence and internships to mentorship and First Amendment issues at the .

Held Aug. 5-8 in New Orleans, the conference brought together journalism and mass communication educators and scholars from around the world to present research, exchange ideas and explore emerging issues across the communications field.

Several �鶹��Ƶ faculty members were recognized for their work during the conference.

Shanetta Pendleton and Michele Lashley, assistant professors of strategic communications, earned second place in the Teaching Paper Competition for their research, “Exploring the Perceived Efficacy of Custom AI Chatbots in Public Relations Education.” Their study explored how course-specific AI chatbots can serve as instructional supports in undergraduate communications courses, providing students with additional opportunities for formative feedback and iterative learning. The findings highlight the potential for thoughtfully designed AI tools to complement classroom instruction by helping students refine their work and deepen their learning while encouraging responsible and ethical AI use.

Qian Xu, professor of strategic communications and A.J. Fletcher Professor, and Jenny Jiang, associate professor of visual communication, were recognized during the Internships and Careers Interest Group’s Top Refereed Research Paper Session. They presented “AI in Media Analytics Job Postings: A Computational Analysis of AI Mentions, Expectations, and Semantic Networks,” a study analyzing more than 5,400 media analytics job postings to examine how AI is mentioned, framed and structurally embedded in job descriptions.

Presentations and panels

�鶹��Ƶ faculty also contributed to research and teaching sessions examining mentorship, internships, emerging technologies, workplace experiences and First Amendment concerns.

• Israel Balderas, assistant professor of journalism, served as a panelist for “Compelling Faith: The Growing Tensions between the Free Speech, Free Exercise, and Establishment Clauses of the First Amendment.” The panel examined how recent Supreme Court rulings are reshaping debates over religious expression, compelled speech and civil rights in schools and universities. Balderas also moderated “Disrespected and Derailed: Women of Color Journalists Covering the Trump Administration,” a research panel examining the experiences of women of color journalists covering the administration.

• 

  Vanessa Bravo, professor of strategic communications, served as a panelist for the teaching session “Mentoring Minoritized Students and Fostering Resilient Young Professionals,” which examined how faculty can mentor and support students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Bravo also served as a discussant for “Media, Vulnerability, and Empowerment: How Mediated Spaces Both Endanger and Support Marginalized Groups” and moderated the International Communication Division teaching panel “Global Inclusivity in Comparative Research: Experiences and Reflections.”

• Hal Vincent, associate teaching professor of strategic communications, moderated a research panel session, “Spotlight: Research Scholars Exchange,” and served as a discussant for multiple refereed research paper sessions. He also moderated the members’ meeting for the Internships and Careers Interest Group.
• Qian Xu and former �鶹��Ƶ Comm faculty member Chris Chen presented “Customizing Communication Styles in Claude: Control Benefits, Cognitive Cost, and Task-Dependent Effects” during a scholar-to-scholar refereed research paper session on AI and relationships. Their research examined how different levels of customization and task type influence psychological responses in human-AI interaction and perceptions of AI-generated output.

The strategic communications major is serving as a strategy and account intern, where he rotates between McKinney’s strategy and account teams. With a few weeks of the internship behind him, Arrasmith said the transition has been seamless thanks to the strong sense of community at the agency.

“Everyone here is so welcoming,” Arrasmith said. “Even though I’m the youngest person both in the agency and in my internship class, I don’t feel out of place.”

Arrasmith said McKinney has been on his radar for years. After his early exposure to the agency, he regularly checked the company’s internship page in hopes of one day earning a spot in the program.

As an account management and strategy intern, Arrasmith helps bridge communication between the agency and its clients. While the role has introduced new challenges, he arrived with a foundation built through classroom experiences and leadership roles at �鶹��Ƶ.

For the past two years, Arrasmith has been involved with �鶹��Ƶ’s student-run communications agency.

Arrasmith has served as an account supervisor with Live Oak and credits the organization for preparing him for the fast-paced agency environment.

“I feel I have a good grasp of what’s going on and what people are talking about,” he said.

While familiar with agency work, Arrasmith said the internship has broadened his understanding of how different departments collaborate to serve clients.

He’s also gained exposure to an industry he knew little about before arriving at McKinney. Working with the agency’s health division has required him to learn healthcare terminology, pharmaceutical companies and industry-specific concepts.

“I didn’t know anything about health or pharma, so it’s been a lot of just taking the time afterward to educate myself,” he said.

Despite the learning curve, Arrasmith said the experience has reinforced the value of curiosity and continuous learning.

“I found great success in just always asking questions, always wanting to learn the most I can about a subject, because that shows people that you are interested, you’re engaged, and you actually care about what you’re doing,” he said.

As he enters his third year at �鶹��Ƶ, Arrasmith hopes to leave the internship with meaningful relationships across the agency, developing a network he can lean on for guidance. To make that happen, he has set a personal goal of taking at least 10 colleagues out to lunch before the summer ends.

Some lessons start with a lecture. Others begin with a camera in hand, a deadline looming, and a story waiting to be told.

That’s how Blake Pierre-Louis described his experience in �鶹��Ƶ’s Emerging Journalists Program, where the rising senior from Rochester, New York, joined 17 other high school students for a 12-day immersive journalism experience.

“It was like a two-week crash course in everything you might need to know if you’re getting into journalism,” Pierre-Louis said. “It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on experience and actually learn by doing instead of sitting in a classroom. You get to actually go out, apply concepts and use what you’ve learned.”

During the residential program, which ran June 15-26, the students worked as members of a functioning newsroom while reporting on stories on and off campus. Their assignments took them to the North Carolina State Capitol, the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro and the Winston-Salem Dash, while media tours introduced them to journalists at WUNC News and ABC11 WTVD-TV. They also produced professional web stories, a newspaper and a television news broadcast.

.

“We had an incredibly cohesive and collaborative group of students join us on campus this summer,” said Colin Donohue, assistant professor of journalism and EJP program director. “They were diligent and enterprising and intrepid. As important, they were generous and kind. They possess tremendous potential, and I look forward to seeing them apply their skills in their hometowns and in their schools.”

Led by Donohue and Kelly Furnas, EJP curriculum coordinator and associate teaching professor of journalism, students quickly moved from classroom instruction to real-world reporting.

For Thailik McCormick, a rising senior at Central Carolina Academy in Sanford, North Carolina, the experience built on the foundation he established as a founding member of his school’s broadcasting program.

“EJP does a really good job of throwing a lot at you, but then also making sure that you can apply these things really quickly, so you can retain them,” McCormick said. “I was presented with the information, and then immediately told to go apply it.”

The experience also expanded his vision for what his future might hold.

“Two weeks ago, I might have told you I’d study entrepreneurship or accounting, but now I’m really looking into public relations or marketing – and use the hard skills that I’ve worked on here and translate them into a field of my choice,” McCormick said.

Aly McFadden, a rising senior from Clark, New Jersey, said one of the most memorable experiences came while producing a full-fledged television newscast, where students were trusted with everything from anchoring and audio work to directing and producing.

“Everybody in that room made us feel like we were professionals,” McFadden said. “Even if I made a mistake, everybody made me feel like it was OK. It was such an interesting collaboration of people that you’ve known for two weeks who are all using their skills together to create one big production.”

McFadden said working alongside classmates from across the country became one of the most rewarding aspects of her time at �鶹��Ƶ.

“It’s really eye-opening to see so many people have so many different life experiences,” she said. “Being in a room with people who are just as passionate about journalism as you are is incredibly motivating. I can’t wait to see them on the news or read their articles.”

Established in 2021, the Emerging Journalists Program introduces high school students interested in journalism and media careers through immersive, experiential learning. Students earn four hours of college credit and are paired with �鶹��Ƶ student mentors who continue to provide guidance after the program concludes.

This year, a record 52 students from across the country applied to the program, with all applicants invited to participate in the virtual Exposure experience before 18 students were selected for the on-campus Immersion cohort.

Donohue also credited School of Communications students Charlie Crum ’28, Blair Mitchell ’29 and Emma Perman ’29 for serving as strong counselors and mentors throughout the experience.

“EJP is one of the most professionally fulfilling experiences I’ve participated in,” Donohue said. “I hope a year from now we can celebrate a sixth cohort.”