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Citizen Reporting Academy Holds First Graduation Ceremony Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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Photos by Ethan Stoner '26
The first cohort of the Citizen Reporting Academy celebrated their graduation in the Center for Media Innovation.
Andrew Conte, managing director of the CMI, welcomed attendees to the graduation. For Conte, author of Death of the Daily News, the Citizen Reporting Academy is the culmination of a dream to empower citizens to solve the problem of news deserts.
Andrew Conte, managing director of the CMI, welcomed attendees to the graduation. For Conte, author of Death of the Daily News, the Citizen Reporting Academy is the culmination of a dream to empower citizens to solve the problem of news deserts.
President Chris W. Brussalis thanked Trib Total Media for their participation in the program, including sponsoring nine of the graduates.
Provost Michael Soto affirmed the efforts of both Point Park and the CMI to use innovative strategies to solve community challenges.
Shari Payne, dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, spoke about the University's plans to continue partnering with Trib Total Media to solve the challenge of news deserts.
Joe Lawrence, general counsel of Total Trib Media, shared hopes to expand the Citizen Reporting Academy to a national level.
Graduate Nathan Ferraro, currently a high school student, shared about his experience in the Citizen Reporting Academy and how he hopes to use the knowledge he has gained to give back to his community.
Luis Fabregas, executive editor of Total Trib Media, encouraged graduates to seize opportunities to contribute news in their communities.
President Brussalis recognizes a graduate who attended the ceremony via Zoom.
Graduates Vickie Babyak (left) and Colette Funches (right) celebrate with Martha Rial (center), a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer who runs the CMI’s Community Newsroom Project.
Graduate Jill Thurston (center) will apply her knowledge to her work as a freelance reporter for the Washington Observer-Reporter.
Graduate Leann Marie Gilmore shakes President Brussalis' hand.
Vickie Babyak (right), a graduate of the Citizen Reporting Academy’s first cohort, applauds for Martha Rial. Babyak has participated in the Tube City Writers program in McKeesport.
Citizen Reporting Academy Graduation — 15 images
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Citizen Reporting Academy Graduation — 15 images Photos by Ethan Stoner '26
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A group of graduates stand together holding their certificates.
The first cohort of the Citizen Reporting Academy celebrated their graduation in the Center for Media Innovation.
The audience listens to opening remarks.
The audience watches the opening remarks and a screen of Zoom attendees.
Andrew Conte, managing director of the CMI, welcomed attendees to the graduation. For Conte, author of Death of the Daily News, the Citizen Reporting Academy is the culmination of a dream to empower citizens to solve the problem of news deserts.
Andrew Conte speaks from a podium.
Andrew Conte, managing director of the CMI, welcomed attendees to the graduation. For Conte, author of Death of the Daily News, the Citizen Reporting Academy is the culmination of a dream to empower citizens to solve the problem of news deserts.
Chris Brussalis speaks from a podium.
President Chris W. Brussalis thanked Trib Total Media for their participation in the program, including sponsoring nine of the graduates.
Michael Soto speaks from a podium.
Provost Michael Soto affirmed the efforts of both Point Park and the CMI to use innovative strategies to solve community challenges.
Shari Payne speaks from a podium.
Shari Payne, dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, spoke about the University's plans to continue partnering with Trib Total Media to solve the challenge of news deserts.
A man stands at a podium
Joe Lawrence, general counsel of Total Trib Media, shared hopes to expand the Citizen Reporting Academy to a national level.
A graduate stands at a podium and addresses a crowd.
Graduate Nathan Ferraro, currently a high school student, shared about his experience in the Citizen Reporting Academy and how he hopes to use the knowledge he has gained to give back to his community.
A man stands at a podium and addresses a crowd.
Luis Fabregas, executive editor of Total Trib Media, encouraged graduates to seize opportunities to contribute news in their communities.
Chris Brussalis stands in front of a screen with people on Zoom.
President Brussalis recognizes a graduate who attended the ceremony via Zoom.
Three women stand together smiling, two are holding graduation certificates
Graduates Vickie Babyak (left) and Colette Funches (right) celebrate with Martha Rial (center), a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer who runs the CMI’s Community Newsroom Project.
A woman stands between two men, holding her graduation certificate up.
Graduate Jill Thurston (center) will apply her knowledge to her work as a freelance reporter for the Washington Observer-Reporter.
Chris Brussalis shakes a female graduate's hand while handing her a graduation certificate.
Graduate Leann Marie Gilmore shakes President Brussalis' hand.
A woman in an audience smiles while others clap and look at her.
Vickie Babyak (right), a graduate of the Citizen Reporting Academy’s first cohort, applauds for Martha Rial. Babyak has participated in the Tube City Writers program in McKeesport.

On Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, the Citizen Reporting Academy certificate program held its first graduation in the Center for Media Innovation (CMI). Twelve students received a certificate; seven were able to attend the graduation in person and others participated via Zoom.

Andrew Conte, Ph.D., assistant vice president and managing director of the CMI, developed the Academy to address the lack of local media coverage by teaching citizens to responsibly report on news in their neighborhood.

Speakers for the graduation celebration included University administrators, representatives from Academy partner Trib Total Media, and graduate Nathan Ferraro.

Congratulations to our first cohort of Citizen Reporters!

The next cohort begins April 1 and registration is open now. 

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More About: Center for Media Innovation, School of Continuing and Professional Studies