Six student fellows from historically Black colleges and universities across the country will be part of the fall ‘23 class of the Open Campus HBCU Student Journalism Network. 

It marks the second cohort of the paid reporting fellowship, which Open Campus created in 2022 in partnership with veteran HBCU journalist Jarrett Carter, Sr. These students will cover their campuses for regional and national audiences while exploring the trends affecting the entire sector. They also will participate in professional training and networking.

The fellows were chosen from a group of 50 applicants. They will start Sept. 5. The program runs through January. Meet the fellows: 

  • Rosegalie Cineus, a senior studying journalism and mass communications at North Carolina A&T State University 
  • Kendal Manns, a senior majoring in radio and television communications at Alabama State University 
  • Tatyanna McCray, a senior studying public relations at Florida A&M University 
  • Dejah Miles, a senior majoring in communications and journalism at Bowie State University 
  • Tamilore Oshikanlu, a senior studying political science at Howard University 
  • Chloe-Ryan Woolfolk, a senior majoring in journalism and mass communications at Norfolk State University 

The fellows will report on all aspects of HBCUs. Topics they said they are most excited to cover include campus housing shortages, student mental health, and athlete endorsement deals. Select stories will be co-published in national outlets — prior fellows’ stories ran in The Washington Post, Capital B, and Verité News, among others. 

Oshikanlu said in her fellowship application that she is “driven by the desire to uncover stories that would otherwise remain hidden, to shed light on important issues, and to give a voice to marginalized communities.” 

“I am fueled by the belief that everyone’s story matters and that by amplifying these voices, we can build empathy, bridge divides, and create a more inclusive society,” she wrote. 

Carter serves as the network’s program mentor. Wesley Wright, assistant director of student media at Florida Atlantic University and a former education journalist, is the assistant editor. 

In addition to receiving editing and coaching from the Open Campus team, the fellows also receive one-on-one mentorship from professional journalists around the country. 

The project is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Lumina Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and the Scripps Howard Fund. Support the program here.

Interested in being a fellow? We’re accepting applications for our spring ’24 cohort now through Dec. 1. Read FAQs about the application process and apply here.

Sign up for updates about the HBCU student network and to get stories from the fellows. Reach us at hbcu@opencampusmedia.org.

About Open Campus

Founded in 2019, Open Campus is the only nonprofit news organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to higher education. It’s built on an innovative collaborative model, combining a national newsroom that knows higher ed deeply with local newsrooms that know their communities deeply. Open Campus has put local reporters on the higher-ed beat in partnerships with ten newsrooms around the country.