By Amanda Friedman, Journalism senior

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) is providing high school students in Florida and beyond with the knowledge and tools to become successful communication professionals.

UFCJC’s new initiative, CJC on the Go, aims to provide high school students from Title I high schools with an opportunity to learn about what UFCJC has to offer. The two-day experience involves UF faculty, current students and alumni visiting schools across Florida to engage with youth about the possibilities of pursuing a future in journalism and communications.

The program is directed by Harrison Hove, Journalism senior lecturer and interim director of the Innovation News Center, the College’s multi-platform newsroom. Hove, who is also director of UFCJC’s Summer Media Institute (SMI) program for high school students, says CJC on the Go has three main goals: educate students about post-secondary education, introduce students to the University of Florida, and unlock a passion for journalism and communication disciplines.

“We understand that by bringing programming directly to them, they get to learn in a safe environment where they feel comfortable,” he said. “They might be learning about concepts that they haven’t touched upon so it’s a way to raise awareness about what’s really possible for a professional career.”

So far, the CJC on the Go team has visited students in Bradenton and West Palm Beach, Florida, with the next stop being Ocala later this month.

UFCJC plans to award 25 students that participate in CJC on the Go full-tuition scholarships to SMI. “Every student is at a different point in their learning,” Hove said. “These interactions can really be a difference maker in the life of a young person, and to be able to be on the front lines of that interaction is incredible.”

Summer Media Institute

SMI has been providing high school students with a transformative experience for over forty years. The program offers a six-day in-residence opportunity for students to immerse themselves in communications. This program provides a taste of college life and fosters a love for the discipline, allowing attendees the chance to work with UFCJC professors and collaborate with other students on projects.

“It is a very personal experience that makes a giant school start to feel like home,” Hove said.

Reflecting on the evolution of SMI, Hove highlighted the program’s growth and increased interest from students not only in Florida but also from around the country and world. The emphasis on affordability and direct interaction with university faculty and staff distinguishes SMI from other summer journalism programs, creating an accessible and enriching experience.

For Hove, one of the most rewarding parts of running SMI is seeing former attendees walk into his classroom a few years later.

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing some of these incredible aspiring journalists for six or seven years,” Hove said. “This is a community and a family that we’re building through this program.”

In the ever-evolving landscape of communications, Hove views UFCJC as a beacon, lighting the way for the next generation of passionate and informed communications professionals.

“Programs like this are not possible without organizations, alumni and administrators buying into the value of creating a transformative experience for young people,” Hove said. “It starts and ends with the students.”

Posted: February 12, 2024
Category: College News
Tagged as: CJC on the Go, gator days, Harrison Hove, Summer Media Institute