By Andrew Skerritt
New Partners Include School of Journalism & Graphic Communication and FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering are among 13 new academic partners with NBCU Academy, the NBCU News Group’s multi-platform journalism training and development program.
With the addition of FAMU, the University of Florida, Howard University, Arizona State University and five others, it brings to 30 the number of academic programs partnering with NBCU, NBCU News Group Chairman Cesar Conde announced Tuesday.
The 2022 cohort introduces STEM programs into the academy and 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, the company announced.
“This partnership represents a real investment in the next generation of underrepresented minority engineers who are students at places like our college today,” said Farrukh Alvi, Ph.D., interim dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, the joint engineering institution for Florida A&M University and Florida State University. “These are real-world opportunities for our students to grow, expand their horizons and make an impact on the world at large.”
FAMU SJGC Dean Mira Lowe sees the partnership as a groundbreaking initiative.
“NBCU Academy’s investment in our program through scholarships and direct course support strengthens our capacity to prepare students to be superior communicators and leaders in media,” said Lowe, who assumed the SJGC leadership last October after serving as assistant dean for student experiences at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. “This partnership grants us access and resources that will be game-changing for our school.”
NBCU Academy will invest $2 million in grants toward building sustainable relationships to support the 13 new partners, enriching the online experience and growing signature pipeline programs–while keeping diversity and inclusion as a core driver.
