MDC’s North Campus Awarded Historic NBCU Academy Grant

Initiative Includes Scholarships, Journalism Program Funding and Access to World-Class NBCU News Group Journalists—Creating Pathways for Diverse Storytellers

Miami, Jan. 14, 2020Miami Dade College’s (MDC) North Campus is partnering with NBCUniversal News Group to provide experiential learning opportunities to students majoring in journalism and mass communications through its new NBCU Academy. The grant will support MDC’s effort to educate future journalists and content creators to advance digital equity through collaborative hands-on learning experiences, training, and opportunities to work one-on-one with news professionals.

“We’re excited about this partnership and the impact it will have on current and future students at the North Campus who want to experience a major network environment, while developing experience in research, analysis and clear communication to become innovators and future journalists,” said North Campus Interim President Fermin Vazquez. “This collaboration will help students further develop critical thinking and communication skills, and to appreciate the vital role of news media in society.”

The NBCU Academy is an innovative, multiplatform journalism training and development program for four-year university and community college students through education, on-campus training, and online programming. The initiative includes a curated onsite curriculum for hands-on learning experience with world-class NBCU News Group journalists, funding for accredited journalism programs and scholarships.

The North Campus’ robust and award-winning communications and journalism programs have allowed many diverse graduates to become success stories. Alumni have gone on to work at major news networks, including CNN, NBC, and Telemundo. Several others also serve the local South Florida community and have distinguished themselves in positions with WSVN and The Miami Herald. They often return to campus to share their knowledge with current students.

The NBCU Academy will offer students the opportunity to intern at a major news organization, as well as prepare them to contribute to campus life through MDC’s award-winning student newspaper, The Reporter, Axis student literary magazine, and as on-air personalities on MDC-TV. 

For more information about the NBCU Academy at MDC North Campus, please contact Fernando Lopez, English and Communications chair, at 305-237-1305.