NBCU Academy, NBCU News Group’s multi-platform journalism training and development program, will partner with the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) as one of 13 new higher education institutions to join the program in 2022, NBCU News Group Chairman Cesar Conde announced.
The new cohort grows NBCU Academy’s geographic footprint, diversifies the student population through specialized programs, and expands beyond journalism to include business, engineering, technology and sports programs. With the addition of 13 new partners, the program has grown to include 30 institutions.
NBCU Academy will invest $2 million in grants toward building sustainable relationships to support the 13 new partner institutions, enriching the online experience and growing signature pipeline programs–all while keeping diversity and inclusion as a core driver.
“The way we gather and consume news is consistently evolving,” said Yvette Miley, Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for NBCU News Group. “Through NBCU Academy, we’re forging a generation of diverse journalists that are ahead of the curve on media technologies and have a deep understanding of a range of industries.”
“We are excited to begin this partnership with NBCU Academy,” said Hub Brown, UFCJC dean. “We have a tremendously talented and diverse group of students from all over Florida and the Southeast, including a significant number of first-generation students. Our hands-on, ready-on-day-one environment is a perfect match for NBCU Academy’s activities, and this partnership will be life-changing for our students. We can’t wait to get started.”
Last year, NBCU Academy issued $6.5 million in funding to campuses (with 50% going directly to students), established NBCUAcademy.com, and launched Original Voices, a fellowship program formed in partnership with NBC News Studios. NBCUAcademy.com offers free online instruction and digital content for students. In the last year alone, NBCU Academy produced 65 online tutorials, hosted eight livestreams and generated more than 40 Original Equity Lab stories. Journalists and leadership across the NBCU News Group portfolio participated in NBCU Academy curriculum, providing access and insight to linear platforms, streaming channels, and digital, audio and social brands across NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, Telemundo News and Peacock.
Additionally, NBCU Academy developed an embed program, hiring six recent graduates from five of NBCU Academy’s partner schools to work full-time for NBC News Digital’s award-winning diversity verticals, including NBC Asian America, NBCBLK, NBC Latino and NBC Out, as well as CNBC Make It and CNBC en Español. The embed program builds on NBCU Academy’s mission to provide more equitable access to diverse and marginalized communities that have been historically underrepresented in the news industry.
In addition to UFCJC, the 2022 cohort includes:
- Arizona State University Global Sport Institute in Tempe, Arizona
- Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Phoenix, Arizona
- Community College of Philadelphia Division of Business and Technology in Philadelphia, PA
- Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering in Tallahassee, FL
- Florida A&M University School of Journalism & Graphic Communication in Tallahassee, FL
- Howard University Cathy Hughes School of Communications in Washington, D.C.
- Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture in Washington, D.C.
- Montclair State University School of Communication and Media in Montclair, NJ
- New Mexico State University College of Engineering in Las Cruces, NM
- New Mexico State University Department of Journalism and Media Studies in Las Cruces, NM
- Universidad del Sagrado Corazón Ferré Rangel School of Communications in San Juan, PR
- University of Texas at Arlington Department of Communication in Arlington, TX
About NBCU Academy
NBCU Academy is an innovative, multiplatform journalism training and development program launched by NBCUniversal News Group in January 2021. The initiative provides four-year university and community college students scholarships, education, on-campus training, online programming, funding for accredited journalism programs and access to world-class journalists from NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC and Telemundo News. NBCU Academy is partnered with 30 academic universities, community colleges and institutions, and accredited programs including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and colleges with significant Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Black, Indigenous and tribal populations – reaching students from underrepresented groups including those from diverse racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, economic, and geographic backgrounds.
About the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications
The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, recognized by its peers as one of the premier programs in the country, is driving innovation and engagement across the disciplines of advertising, journalism, public relations and media production and management. The college’s strength is drawn from both academic rigor and experiential learning. It offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and certificates, both online and on campus. CJC students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in the Innovation News Center, which generates content across multiple platforms, and The Agency, an integrated strategic communication and consumer research agency focused on marketing to young adults. The College includes seven broadcast and digital media properties, the Joseph L. Brechner Center for Freedom of Information and the nation’s only STEM Translational Communication Center and Center for Public Interest Communications.
For more information, contact Randy Bennett at rbennett@jou.ufl.edu, 352-273-1223.
