WCMU News Director Rick Brewer has earned a fellowship from the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News to begin a new student-driven local news partnership with Central Michigan University’s School of Communication Journalism and Media.
This year’s cohort of fellows, also known as Champions, includes 62 faculty, public media professionals and news leaders from large and small institutions representing 25 states, according to a press release from the CCN.
“Student reporting has emerged as one critical solution to the crisis facing local news,” said CCN Director Richard Watts. “The people running these news-academic partnerships are leading the next generation of courageous journalists, storytellers and civic leaders. We are honored to help amplify their work.”
During the six-month program, Champions will receive coaching and peer mentoring to build or strengthen news-academic partnerships to support student journalists. Upon completion of the program, Champions will also receive a $1,000 reward.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this program,” Brewer said. "I’ve grown to admire what the Center for Community News has been able to accomplish. I can’t wait to learn from new colleagues around the country.”
For years, WCMU has employed student journalists who have served a critical role in providing news for the people of central and northern Michigan. Student reporters work at WCMU during the academic year and during the summer as part of the Michigan News Group Internship program. By working with more CMU students and faculty, Brewer said there’s a lot of potential to expand coverage across the region.
“I don’t want to give too much away, but the groundwork for a new community reporting project at CMU has already been laid,” Brewer said. “It’s been great to build more meaningful relationships with faculty in the School of Communication, Journalism and Media, and I’m excited to see what we can do together as a cohesive unit.”
Learn more about the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News here.
