Sophia Imbriaco ‘28 was selected for the second cohort of SUNY’s Institute for Local News summer interns program. The Institute for Local News pairs student journalists with local news outlets and provides them with the opportunity to gain valuable experience while serving local communities.
Imbriaco, a junior majoring in English with a minor in global languages and culture, did her internship at WAMC in Albany, NY, not far from her hometown of Delmar. “I came across this internship while searching for a summer job that would allow me to write,” says Imbriaco. “My time at WAMC has been that and so much more. From approaching politicians at press conferences to navigating audio editing software and writing for radio, I have gained hands-on experience in valuable skills for my professional and personal development. All the while, I have grown closer to the communities I serve, in the Capital Region and beyond. It has been a phenomenal experience.”
“The Institute for Local News provides SUNY students with the opportunity to combine civics and service with experiential learning opportunities that help our students, local news organizations, and New York thrive,” says SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “With dedicated faculty and strong partnerships with local news outlets, and with thanks to the Institute for Local News and our SUNY Board of Trustees, our students are not only gaining meaningful experience for future careers but also being placed at the forefront of the effort to mitigate newspaper loss and local journalism deserts.”
Last year, 220 students participated and produced 900 stories in 25 newsrooms across New York State. The Institute has also had many newsrooms return to the program and is establishing partnerships to bring the program to more campuses.
Author
Monique Patenaude, PhD
Executive Director of Content Strategy & Media Relations