Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (FAMU SJGC) and its award-winning student media have established a longstanding tradition of developing top talent in multimedia journalism, often attracting the attention of major media companies.
TEGNA is one of those companies investing in and tapping into the talent that FAMU SJGC produces. Owning 64 news brands in 51 markets and one of the largest, most geographically diverse broadcasters in the United States, TEGNA’s newsrooms are serving as springboards for success for several recent grads.
“FAMU grads embody TEGNA’s core values of demanding truth, working smarter, and doing the right thing to drive the award-winning local journalism and weather coverage on which our community depends,” said Stephen Adams, a talent acquisition partner and co-lead of TEGNA’s Producer-in-Residence Program.
Autumn Dancy was recruited to apply for TEGNA’s professional development programs when Adams sat in on one of the student newscasts at FAMU-TV 20 last academic year. She served as a weather anchor, and after observing her hurricane coverage, Dancy was invited to apply for and was later selected to join the company as a paid broadcast meteorology intern. She completed her internship at First Coast News in Jacksonville, one of the top 50 media markets.
Dancy, a master’s student in the FAMU School of Environment (FAMU SOE), minored in journalism and completed a bachelor’s degree in environmental science last summer. She leveraged the skills she learned through both academic programs to successfully complete the goals of the TEGNA internship, which includes ensuring students gain valuable real-world experience.
Her contributions included studying and presenting weather patterns and forecasts, creating on-air weather graphics (including for a special “What to Wear” segment where she incorporated her love for fashion with forecasting), and ensuring the station’s website was updated with daily and weekly forecasts. She also published an article on the 2025 hurricane season featuring Jacksonville’s chief weather resiliency officer, which can be found here.
After completing her internship, Dancy’s professional career in broadcast media was ready for launch. Equipped with the tools she took away from her summer at TEGNA and the training and mentorship she received from FAMU SJGC and SOE faculty, Dancy was recently hired as a meteorologist and environmental reporter for WCJB TV20 News in Gainesville, a Gray Television station. She takes with her to her new role achievements such as becoming the first FAMU student to anchor FSU Live Weather, being a 2024 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research scholar, and being named a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fellow.
“Getting a minor in journalism at FAMU SJGC was a great experience from day one,” Dancy said. “The supportive and illustrious faculty served as an inspiration to me and provided guidance and advice to help me improve my skills. I’m grateful that SJGC has such connections in the industry, and that major media conglomerates do their talent scouting at FAMU.”
Left: Autumn Dancy worked as a weather anchor at FAMU-TV 20, an experience that helped launch her career as a meteorologist and environmental reporter. Below, she is seen applying her skills at First Coast News. Photos: Justyn Thomas/Courtesy: Autumn Dancy.
She added, “Without the SOE faculty’s genius knowledge and guidance, I would not be the scientist I am today, as science is the most important part of weather predictions. I’m also so thankful that Mr. Adams saw something in me, and that TEGNA and the First Coast News team gave me space to grow, learn and improve my skills.”
Joining Dancy in benefiting from TEGNA’s professional development opportunities is spring 2025 graduate Trinity Talton, who majored in broadcast journalism. This summer, Talton leveraged her experience as a FAMUAN staff writer, online editor at Journey Magazine, and news writer at WANM 90.5 to apply for and be selected to TEGNA’s Producer-in-Residence (PIR) Program. PIR is the largest producer development program in the industry. After completing a two-week boot camp, Talton began her rotation as a two-year, full-time producer in local television at First Coast News.
Now in its eighth year and designed to help recent graduates develop into the next generation of broadcast, streaming and digital producers for TEGNA newsrooms, the program has seen more than 80 percent of participants earn promotions within the company, with some now serving as executive producers. Talton may soon be one of those participants rising through the ranks at the company, as she was among only 43 early-career journalists selected for the 2025 class, which included representatives from 30 colleges and universities.
Left: Trinity Talton works in the production bay at First Coast News as part of TEGNA’s Producer-in-Residence Program, which develops the next generation of newsroom leaders behind the scenes. Photos courtesy: First Coast News/TEGNA and Trinity Talton.
“I am so excited to be a part of this program and learn and grow as a producer,” Talton said. “So far in my program, I have learned so many valuable skills that have helped me transcend my love for journalism outside of the classroom. I am so excited to continue my journey with TEGNA and learn and grow as a journalist.”
TEGNA plans more visits to SJGC to recruit young professionals like Talton and inspire students like Dancy to thrive in the industry.
“At TEGNA, investing in the next wave of storytellers is key to building a sustainable future for journalism,” Adams said. “That’s why our collaboration with FAMU is so powerful. The School of Journalism & Graphic Communication primes early-career journalists for our internship and residency programs, sending their careers soaring.”
