The Online News Association (ONA) recently announced the participants of its 2024 HBCU Digital Media Fellowship, which includes a current student and a recent graduate of the Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) School of Journalism & Graphic Communication.
Alyssa Cooper, a senior from Tallahassee currently studying broadcast journalism, and Sydney Rencher, a Spring 2024 SJGC graduate will join four other students in Atlanta for mentorship and training later this year. Cooper and Rencher were selected from a pool of more than 100 applicants representing 15 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
As part of the cohort the fellows will each receive complimentary registration to the ONA conference (ONA24) and they will collaborate with lead mentor Michael Grant, founder of Get Current Studio, to create a digital project and learn about emerging tech for online news. Fellows also receive training from industry leaders, which in the past have included Microsoft and Canva. The students’ schedules are tailored to their individual career interests and include time to attend conference sessions and networking events where they are encouraged to connect with journalism innovators from across the industry.
Cooper participates in various aspects of campus journalism. She previously served as a contributor and staff writer to the FAMUan before taking on her current role as sports editor. She also works in various capacities for FAMU TV 20’s News at Five program. Cooper is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and regularly volunteers through the University and her sorority.
Rencher is currently pursuing an advanced degree as a first-year graduate student at Texas Southern University. While at FAMU Rencher developed a diverse skill set including photography, videography, content creation, news reporting and writing. She served as the sports and creative information director for the women’s basketball team, the University’s photographer for the Office of Communications, and the promotions director for the campus radio station.
As detailed on its website, ONA is the “world’s largest digital journalism association to inspire and support innovation and excellence in digital journalism.” Membership includes journalists, technologists, executives, students, educators and other digital media professionals.
