Multilingual Journalism Program
Institution:
CUNY Lehman College
State:
New York
Academic Level:
Baccalaureate
Issue Area:
Academic Program
Program Focus:
Bilingual/ESL
Key Personnel:
Thomas O'Hanlon
Contact Info:
thomas.ohanlon@lehman.cuny.edu | 718.960.8161
Overview
The Multilingual Journalism Program was created to meet the needs of multicultural and multilingual journalists in a globalized world. It was built upon the strengths of the student population that Lehman College serves: a first- and second-generation immigrant population from all parts of the world who maintain their language and cultures while incorporating elements of the surrounding U.S. culture.
Program Description
Latino students in the Multilingual Journalism Program take core courses in Ethnic Media and Marketing as well as journalistic writing courses in both English and Spanish. The students can also study journalistic writing at the Sacred Heart University of Puerto Rico through a special online bilingual journalism program agreement. The program has international articulation agreements with universities in Chile, Venezuela, and Spain to provide internship opportunities for students to gain experience in Spanish-speaking countries. All students participate in internships at Univisión, El Diario-La Prensa, WPIX, etc. and public access channels such as Bronxnet. They publish in print and electronic format The Bronx Journal, a multilingual newspaper published monthly in English with over ten foreign language supplements.
Outcome
The Multilingual Journalism and Mass Communication Program has graduated hundreds of students over the last five years. At least 50% of these students are Latinos/as. Graduates have secured positions in media and are currently working at The Daily News, MSNBC, Bloomberg News, Telemundo, Newsday, and Dow-Jones. Some have participated in political campaigns, working with Latino populations, primarily in the NY metropolitan area. Others have pursued graduate degrees in other journalism programs.
