LANGSTON—Langston University has become one of the latest institutions in the nation to become part of the NBCU Academy.
The academy is part of NBC News.
It was recently announced that Langston has been bequeathed by the Griffin Media Corp. the KWTV News 9 building in Oklahoma City.
The university said it will use those facilities for its Department of Journalism operations.
Griffin Media’s gift to Langston includes the KWTV building, and nearly all of the building’s contents and equipment.
The academy has grown from 15 partners and Langston is now one of 45.
Since the academy was started in 2021, partners “have received funding, resources, training and access to the news group’s world-class journalists,” a statement released by Langston said.
Langston is the first institution in Oklahoma to partner with the academy.
“The access to resources accompanying this opportunity will be transformative in preparing our students,” Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, Langston’s vice president of academic affairs, commented.
“The curriculum support and professional development will enhance our talented faculty’s ability to develop a diverse pool of media professionals committed to solutions journalism.”
“Through this partnership, we will be able to provide scholarships to broadcast journalism students,” said Dr. Alonzo Peterson, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences at Langston.
“With this partnership, our new building and equipment, Langston University broadcast journalism is poised to eventually lead the nation in producing highly-trained and qualified underrepresented professionals in all areas of broadcast television journalism.”
These are the schools to join, along with Langston, the partnership with the academy:
- The University of California at Berkeley;
- Columbia College in Chicago, Ill.;
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, Minn.;
- The Helena (Mont.) College of the University of Montana;
- Metropolitan State University of Denver (Colo.);
- Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon;
- Nevada State College in Henderson, Nevada;
- Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn.;
- The College of Engineering and the School of Communication of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio;
- The School of Communication of Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas;
- The United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, N.D.;
- The School of Journalism of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz.;
- The Nicholson School of Communication and Media of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla.; and
- The School of Journalism, of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo.
“This partnership re-affirms Langston University’s commitment to changing the broadcast journalism profession by providing learning opportunities and resources not only for on-air talent, but also for behind-the-scenes talent,” Dr. Kent J. Smith Jr., president of Langston, commented.
“This is a pivotal moment for Langston University and for the future of minorities in the broadcasting industry.”
“NBCU Academy has elevated the next generation of journalists, providing students from underrepresented communities a pipeline into newsrooms across media and technology,” the Langston statement said.
“The academy is pioneering Embed Program creates roles for recent graduates from partner schools and institutions with diverse student populations.
“In two years, the academy has assigned 11 Embeds full-time, two-year job assignments across the news group’s on-air and digital platforms, marketing, and other programs.”
