Contact: Alex Lyda
469-248-5120;
alyda@dcccd.edu
For immediate release — Jan. 14, 2021
(DALLAS) — Dallas College has been selected by NBCUniversal News Group to be a part of the initial group of institutions to participate in the launch of NBCU Academy.
NBCUniversal News Group recently launched NBCU Academy, a new, innovative, multiplatform journalism training and development program for four-year university and 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.
As part of the program, NBCU Academy will invest a total of $6.5 million to the initiative, including scholarships worth $100,000 at Dallas College, this school year. In addition to providing equipment and collaborating with professors to develop seminar courses, NBCU News Group journalists, executives and management from editorial and production teams across NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC and Telemundo will participate as guest lecturers to provide real-world insight and mentorship.
In keeping with Comcast and NBCU News Group’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the multiyear partnership involves 17 academic partners 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.
In June 2020, Comcast NBCUniversal announced a multiyear, $100-million commitment to help address systemic racism and inequality. NBCU Academy is part of that pledge and focuses on providing tools, resources and platforms for young, underrepresented voices. In July 2020, NBCU News Group announced the Fifty Percent Challenge Initiative, an aggressive action plan to turn the NBCU News Group employee base to be 50% women and 50% people of color.
“Dallas College remains committed to educating students eager to pursue careers in journalism,” said Dr. Pyeper Wilkins, Dallas College’s vice chancellor of workforce development and advancement. “The knowledge and skills students acquire at Dallas College help them get a foothold in this important field, and partnerships like this one help provide real-world work experiences that are invaluable for our students. We are grateful that NBCUniversal News Group has recognized Dallas College as a partner in this effort.”
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