Queens Selected as One of Eight Universities in Solutions Journalism Network Cohort

The Queens University of Charlotte News Service has been selected as one of eight winners in the Inaugural Solutions Journalism Student Media Challenge Cohort. As a member of the cohort, the News Service will receive a $10,000 grant, training, and support to focus on solutions to community issues that are being provided by local faith-based institutions in one of the fastest growing cities in the country throughout the 2022-2023 academic year. With more than 60 schools across the nation vying for a spot in the cohort, the program in the Knight School of Communication rose to the top of the applicant pool along with seven other schools including but not limited to Michigan State University, the University of Georgia, Howard University, and the University of Missouri.

“This program recognizes how student newsrooms can make meaningful contributions to the understanding of community issues,” said Bob Page, director of digital projects and advisor to student media. “Student reporters in the Queens University News Service are already reporting on how faith-based communities in Charlotte are working on innovative solutions to social issues. Being able to collaborate and learn along with other leading programs in journalism is extremely exciting.”

The Solutions Journalism Student Media Challenge seeks to equip college students at various institutions with training and resources that empower them to cover complex social issues deeply and equitably. In addition to training, monetary support, and national recognition, the Queens University News Service will continue to play a pivotal role in informing the public about news that spans far beyond the Queens campus.

“As managing editor of the Queens News Service, I’m beyond excited and proud that the News Service was selected to be a part of the Solutions Journalism Network cohort,” said Palmer Magri ’24. “We have worked extremely hard to get here and I can’t wait to see more of our articles in local and national news.”

The Queens University of Charlotte News Service launched in February of 2021 and has since supplied ample news content to media outlets in the region including WFAE and the Charlotte Observer’s CharlotteFive. The Solutions Journalism Network’s cohort seeks to support student news services, like the Knight School’s program at Queens, to expand their positive impact on local news ecosystems.

View the full list of winners in the Solutions Journalism Student Media Challenge Cohort.