GCC’s Pulitzer Center Campus Consortium held a virtual info session on Sept. 26 to educate students about the opportunities it provides, particularly its annual reporting fellowship. Journalism professor Dr. Reut Cohen Schorr and history professor Michelle Stonis, the Consortium’s co-directors, were joined by Pulitzer Center representative Libby Moeller, who gave an overview of the fellowship program and its application process.
Through the college’s partnership with the Pulitzer Center, one outstanding student per year is chosen for the fellowship, which includes a $3,000 grant to report on a topic involving gender from a location of their choice, a paid trip to Washington, D.C., to present their work to other fellows from colleges across the country, and publication of their story on the Pulitzer Center’s website. The Pulitzer Center also offers outreach opportunities, allowing fellows to broaden the impact of their reporting, Moeller explained.
The Campus Consortium is now in its fourth year. “The opportunity presented [itself] to apply for the PIMCO grant to partner with the Pulitzer Center as the campus focused on reporting on gender issues,” recalled Professor Stonis in an email interview. “I immediately invited Dr. Cohen to co-build this fantastic opportunity for GCC students, with her focusing on the journalism aspects of the initiative and me concentrating on the gender studies side.”
Beyond the fellowship, the Campus Consortium also hosts various talks and events throughout the academic year. “Professor Stonis and I work very well together and have had a unique way to offer students of all backgrounds seminars and training, in addition to our selection of an annual fellow,” Dr. Cohen said in an interview.
GCC is the only community college on the West Coast that offers this program. “Our students hold their own when presenting their reporting alongside students from elite universities nationwide and make us all proud,” Stonis stated, noting that reporting from one of the college’s previous fellows was cited in an academic article.
Alumna Brittany Klintworth, who represented GCC as its 2023 reporting fellow, shared that “the fellowship was a tremendous experience.” Klintworth traveled to Italy for her project, which explored the fashion industry through an intersectional feminist lens. It is something that I will remember fondly for the rest of my life. It was a really big undertaking, but throughout the entire process, I had support,” Klintworth acknowledged. “Nothing ever felt impossible because I always had someone to go to and people from both GCC and the Pulitzer Center giving me advice and mentorship.”
Applications for the 2025 fellowship, which can be accessed here, are now open, and will be due by end of day on Monday, Dec. 9. “We welcome all applications, irrespective of student majors. The common thread, though, is the article topics must have a focus on gender,” Cohen emphasized. When brainstorming potential topics, Stonis urges students to “focus on the work and your curiosity.” Stonis continued, “What are you passionate about? What questions do you have?” Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Cohen and Professor Stonis at [email protected] with any questions.
“I encourage anyone who has the slightest inkling of interest to apply,” Klintworth recommended. “I also want to remind anyone who is interested: you are a student, you’re not a professional journalist — no one expects you to know how to do everything. If you’re willing to work hard and aren’t afraid to ask for help when you need it, then you are absolutely capable of doing this. Don’t count yourself out. This opportunity is a time to learn.”
Carissa Coane can be reached at [email protected].