Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) continues to make waves in the world of media innovation. FAMU SJGC Dean Mira Lowe and alumnus Marlon A. Walker have been featured in the prestigious Nieman Lab’s Predictions for Journalist 2025. The annual series, produced by the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University, invites some of the most forward-thinking minds in journalism and media to forecast the key changes and challenges for the year ahead.
Dean Lowe calls for a fundamental shift in journalism education, highlighting the role of universities such as FAMU in shaping the future of the field. Her prediction, “Journalism education leads the change we seek,” focuses on the need to prepare students to become more than reporters, but global citizens equipped to manage the complexities of a rapidly changing media landscape.
“Training the next generation of journalists means preparing them to be global citizens,” Dean Lowe writes. She emphasizes education must extend beyond technical skills to include ethics, intercultural communication, and media literacy — all essential tools for navigating the flood of misinformation in the digital age.
Dean Lowe’s inclusion in the Nieman Lab’s annual predictions solidifies her role as a key thought leader in journalism education. Her efforts to modernize FAMU’s journalism curriculum reflect the growing need for a more comprehensive approach to media training.
Walker, managing editor for The Marshall Project and member of FAMU SJGC’s Board of Visitors (BOV), provides a bold prediction on the role of digital creators in the journalism industry. His article, “Embracing influencers as allies,” encourages news organizations to rethink how they collaborate with influencers to reach broader and more diverse audiences.
“News organizations will increasingly rely on digital creators not just as amplifiers but as integral partners in storytelling,” Walker argues. His perspective highlights a growing trend in the industry, where media outlets partner with digital influencers to create compelling, shareable content. He points to successful examples, such as The Washington Post’s Dave Jorgenson, whose humorous TikTok videos have redefined how traditional news outlets engage younger audiences.
The inclusion of Lowe and Walker in Nieman Lab’s 2025 Journalism Predictions underscores FAMU SJGC’s ongoing influence on the media industry. Their insights point to an industry-wide recognition of the changing landscape of journalism, where education and innovation go hand in hand.
The Nieman Lab, part of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, is widely regarded as one of the leading platforms for media research, analysis, and forward-thinking discourse. Its annual predictions serve as a key barometer for where the journalism industry is headed.
You may visit the Nieman Lab website to read Dean Lowe’s full prediction, “Journalism education leads the change we seek.” You may also access this link to review Walker’s prediction, “Embracing influencers as allies,” visit the full article on the Nieman Lab website.
