University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications’ (UFCJC) award-winning programs and immersion experiences are featured in “From Classroom to Newsroom: UFCJC’s Path to Media Excellence” published in Editor & Publisher on July 30.

The article highlights the vast array of academic and experiential opportunities for students, including:

• Four academic disciplines: Advertising, Journalism, Media Production, Management and, Technology and Public Relations
• Immersive learning: The Agency (an integrated strategic communications firm); the Innovation News Center (a multi-platform news operation); Fresh Take Florida (state government investigative journalism team); and an environmental news desk for students to report on climate change effects in Florida; and a digital media lab to expand research into social media analytics
• Student media projects: Alpha (student-run public relations agency, part of PRSSA); Orange and Blue (student-run magazine); The Reptile Report (video sports program), among others
• Media properties: Two television and five radio stations and websites; PBS, NPR and ESPN affiliates and the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network.

According to UFCJC Dean Hub Brown, the College wants to “ensure we’re presenting concepts and giving students an understanding of background and history. At the same time, we want them on the beat. We want them in the newsroom. We want them developing their craft as soon as they’re here. …We want students to be day-one ready. They walk into their first professional job on day one, and nothing surprises them — not the pace of the work, not the volume of work and not the types of tools and equipment they may use. We want them to start their careers able to be effective immediately.”

The profile also highlights the Brechner Center’s Freedom of Information Project. The Brechner Center’s focus on FOIA and accessing public records is a resource for investigative reporting students including Fresh Take Florida stories.

Posted: August 2, 2024
Category: College News
Tagged as: Brechner Freedom of Information Project, Editor & Publisher, Hub Brown, UF College of Journalism and Communications