Immersive Program Fosters Opportunity and Inspires Future Media Leaders

I attended the Equity in the Media Fellowship event held on campus earlier this semester, and it was an amazing opportunity to hear from media professionals who are continuously shaping the media industry while encouraging the next generation. This program brought together faculty, University of New Haven students and media professionals for a conversation about equity, opportunities, and diverse voices in the media. Plus, more than 200 local highschoolers from West Haven High School, Betsy Ross Arts Magnet, and Metropolitan Business Academy were also in attendance, giving them the opportunity to connect with professionals, and University of New Haven students and faculty to learn about the different aspects of the field.

To start the event, Professor Wayne Edwards, the host, welcomed everyone to the 3rd annual Equity in the Media Fellowship Event, and he recognized several individuals who attended, including Department of Communication, Film, and Media Studies chair Tom Garrett, M.F.A., and University of New Haven’s president Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D.

President Frederiksen greeted everyone and encouraged the students as they think about how to position themselves for their future. He emphasized that communications, media, sports, and entertainment is an incredibly exciting sector and one that AI is not going to make obsolete. To me, his remarks set the tone for the event, reminding all of the students in attendance that the industry still relies heavily on creativity and human perspective.

After the opening remarks, Professor Edwards introduced the panelists who shared their experiences and advice. One panelist was Lauren Burke, the CEO and CMO of Ljs Advisor. Before launching her firm, she was a market leader in NYC. Now, she helps ambitious businesses solve marketing challenges.

Another panelist was Thomas Chung ’21, a University of New Haven alum. His goal was to work at ESPN, and he achieved that goal. He is currently a digital producer who specializes in video production and storytelling for the network’s broadcast, web, and social media platforms.

Calvin Lindsay Jr., a producer and director of documentary films and the founder of Centurion Filmworks, also joined the panel. He began his career at WGBH-TV, Boston’s public broadcasting station affiliate, and is a seven-time Emmy Award winner. The final panelist was Helen Ubiñas, a freelancer and award-winning journalist along with being an editorial leader with more than three decades of experience delivering emotionally resonant journalism. At the Philadelphia Daily News, she has helped shape those in Philadelphia and elevate marginal voices, because, according to her, as a journalist, you have the power to spur policy change. Ubiñas is the founder and runs The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism. The organization’s purpose is to increase Latina representation in newsrooms.

While the panelists discussed their careers and daily experiences in the industry, they also shared advice for students hoping to pursue similar paths. Lindsay said something that stuck with me and that I believe to be 100% true, which is, “People are interested in you when you show that you are interested in them.” His statement highlighted the importance of building connections with others, especially in an industry that relies heavily on collaboration and networking.

Moreover, Chung shared advice for students who are still figuring out their path, stating that, “We should all find opportunities such as internships.” I personally see this as a way to put one foot out the door, allowing students to build connections, gain experience, and better understand the industry they hope to enter.

Ubiñas spoke about the start of her own journey, sharing that she grew up in the Bronx and was a first-generation student. Her parents were very adamant about education, saying that it was the key to everything to “get out.” When she went to college, however, she was not entirely sure what she wanted to do. She explained that she had always been told to reach that stage, but not necessarily what to do once she got there.

Eventually, she met a professor who “changed my life.” He was the adviser for the student paper, and he played a major role in shaping her career because he believed in her potential. Hearing her story reminded me that no matter your background, you are where you are in life for a purpose. It also reinforced the idea that sometimes all it takes is one person believing in you to help you realize your own potential.

Burke spoke about the value of education and experience. She encouraged students to maximize their education and explore opportunities. “Education is the ticket, and then you figure out the rest,” she said. “She also shared that she completed many internships during her time in college and made a point to connect with alumni. According to her, “Having those early experiences really can be transformational for your entire life.”

I also had the opportunity to ask Professor Edwards some questions. I asked what equity in the media means to him, and how this fellowship actively puts that into practice?

“Equity, to me, means an equal playing field for diverse individuals when it comes to the professional work environment,” he said. “In today’s media, many voices are still missing from the conversation, especially from underrepresented cultures, orientations, and communities working both ‘on-screen’ and behind the scenes. The Fellowship provides students with access to diverse professionals who share how they’ve navigated barriers, challenged bias, and built impactful careers. In addition, students received hands-on engagement from our guests in a breakout environment to recognize the skills required to stand out in the industry they want to pursue.”

I also asked about how the event aimed to bridge gaps within the media industry, particularly between journalism, film, and digital content.

“The purpose of the fellowship is to provide an opportunity for students to connect with diverse professionals in the media industry and show how powerful their voices can be in shaping culture,” he said. “When you see someone that looks like you and is successful in the industry you’re interested in, it brings a sense of representation and confidence that they can succeed.

“These industries share a common thread, and that’s storytelling,” he continued. “However, when it comes to the leaders and gatekeepers of content, the industry is still largely dominated by one perspective. Representation matters, not just in sight and sound, but in the decision-making rooms. My goal is to bring together professionals who are committed to amplifying voices from all backgrounds and showing students that their stories and ideas deserve a platform, too.”

Lastly, I asked what he would hope the students take away from this event. “I hope the students who attend the Equity in the Media Fellowship come away with a sense of belonging and confidence. After meeting the guests, asking questions and learning industry skills, I hope students walk away knowing that they have a rightful place in media leadership, no matter their background.”

I also had the chance to speak with one of the high school students from Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School who attended. She shared, “I’m interested in graphic design because once you know what you're doing, the outcome is rewarding.”

When asking what she hoped to gain from the event, she said, “I’m hoping to gain tips, and more ideas of what I would be able to do in this field as well as what I could see myself doing in the future. I hope that I can show people that even though graphic design can be really hard, the more you do it, the easier it gets, so never give up.”

Speaking with Professor Edwards, the student, and hearing what the panelists had to say reminded me that events like this are not only about listening to successful professionals, but also about inspiring the next generation. Seeing students ask questions, explore interests, and think about their future in the media shows exactly why events like this are so important. They create a space where students can learn, connect, and begin to see themselves as part of the industry they hope to join one day.