Washington Post Welcomes 2024 Academic Year Fellows from Top Journalism Schools

The Washington Post, a venerable institution in American journalism, has unveiled its 2024 class of Academic Year Fellows. This prestigious program, now in its latest iteration, continues the newspaper's long-standing commitment to nurturing emerging talent in the field of journalism.

Four promising students have been selected for this year's fellowship: Afia Barrie and Juan Benn Jr. from Howard University, and Hailey Closson and Adriana Navarro from the University of Maryland. These aspiring journalists will spend 10 weeks in the fall of 2024 working alongside seasoned professionals in The Post's dynamic newsroom.

The fellowship program is a collaborative effort between The Washington Post and two renowned journalism schools: Howard University's Cathy Hughes School of Communications and the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This partnership underscores the newspaper's commitment to diversity and excellence in journalism education.

Carla Broyles, senior editor at The Washington Post, emphasized the program's dual benefits: "Our fall fellows gain invaluable experiences to excel in today's media landscape, while The Post benefits from their fresh perspectives and dedication."

The selected fellows will be assigned to various departments within the newsroom. Barrie and Benn will focus on breaking news and feature writing for the Local staff. Meanwhile, Closson will join the Features team, and Navarro will contribute to the Data department.

Each fellow brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the program. Barrie, a senior at Howard University, has previously interned at CNN's Washington bureau and worked on the "PBS NewsHour." Benn, also a senior at Howard, has experience with the BBC News and American Urban Radio Networks.

Closson, a senior at the University of Maryland, has interned at ProPublica and the Baltimore Sun, while Navarro, a graduate student at the same university, has worked as a data journalism fellow at the Baltimore Banner and as a digital journalist for AccuWeather.

The Washington Post's fellowship program is part of a rich tradition of nurturing young talent in journalism. Since its founding in 1877, the newspaper has been at the forefront of American journalism, winning 69 Pulitzer Prizes and playing a crucial role in major stories such as the Watergate scandal.

This fellowship not only provides students with practical experience but also exposes them to the rapidly evolving world of digital journalism. The Washington Post, under the ownership of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos since 2013, has undergone significant digital transformation, adapting to new technologies and expanding its online readership.

As these four talented students prepare to embark on their fellowship journey, they stand poised to contribute to and learn from one of the most respected news organizations in the world. Their experiences at The Washington Post will undoubtedly shape their future careers and contribute to the ongoing evolution of journalism in the digital age.

"The Washington Post fellowship offers a major career boost for students starting their journalism career. Working alongside experienced reporters and being mentored by some of the best editors in the business will give Afia Barrie and Juan Benn important insight into what it takes to be a journalist operating at the highest level of the profession."

This fellowship program exemplifies The Washington Post's commitment to fostering the next generation of journalists, ensuring that the torch of quality journalism continues to burn brightly in the years to come.