Video story package on Rutgers Future Scholars program receives first LiveBIG Student Solutions Journalism Award
The “solutions journalism” movement encourages reporters to investigate efforts to solve social problems and share how and why an approach is working.
When Steve Miller of the School of Communication and Information introduced the concept to students during his “Advanced Television News and Reporting” course this spring, Briana Supardi pitched a story on Rutgers' equal opportunity education programs for New Jersey residents.
“I wasn’t familiar with the term ‘solutions journalism’ before the course,” says Supardi, a rising senior majoring in journalism and political science. “But when we were asked to highlight key players who make a difference, I thought it would be good to share what Rutgers does to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds to get into college.”
Supardi collaborated with classmates Dan Kilkenny, Sophia Cifuentes and Siobhan Mazzoni to generate a package on Rutgers Future Scholars, a five-year pre-college program for eighth through 12th graders who will be first generation college graduates. Rutgers Future Scholar students who are admitted and choose to attend Rutgers receive tuition funding.
What began as a class project is now among five student-produced stories to receive the Big Ten Network’s (BTN) first LiveBIG Student Solutions Journalism Award.
LiveBIG, BTN’s pro-social initiative, airs segments about Big Ten students, faculty, staff and alumni making an impact through research, education and community service. The Rutgers production team is recognized with student journalists from Northwestern University, the University of Nebraska, the University of Maryland and the University of Michigan.
“This is an important new field of journalism and, in the spirit of BTN LiveBIG, one we hope these students will continue to pursue over their careers,” says Erin Harvego, BTN’s vice president of marketing.
Miller, who advised the Rutgers team, says the Big Ten has some of the country’s best journalism programs. He is pleased his students’ submissions were competitive in the field of nearly 60 video and print stories from students at Big Ten universities, including Rutgers and the University of Maryland, both of which will join the prestigious athletic conference July 1.
“Rutgers’ journalism program has produced women and men who make major contributions to the news environment,” says Miller, who, along with teaching, serves as coordinator of undergraduate studies for Rutgers’ Department of Journalism and Media Studies.
“We [the School of Communication and Information] produced NBC’s Natalie Morales, Michele Promaulayko at Women’s Health and Kelly Whiteside of USA Today. These students will follow in their footsteps.”
Journalism and Media Studies chair Jack Bratich echoes Miller’s sentiments. He believes this award speaks to the strength of Rutgers' journalism program, its instructors, and the talents of the students.
“While we're new to the Big Ten, we have one of the oldest student journalism institutions in the nation,” says Bratich. “We are eager to bring that venerable tradition to innovative forms of media making."