Editor's note: This story was updated on June 6, 2017, to reflect changes in intern placements.
Story by Andra Brichacek
Eighteen college journalists, including 13 from the UO School of Journalism and Communication, will get invaluable real-world experience while working at media outlets across Oregon this summer, thanks to the Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism. The statewide program drew 59 applicants from 10 colleges.
“We received more applications than last year, which made this year’s selection process even more competitive,” said Kathryn Thier, SOJC instructor and Snowden internship coordinator. “The student journalists chosen have displayed extraordinary initiative throughout their collegiate journalism careers, as well as aptitude for and commitment to the profession.”
The family of Charles and Julie Snowden of Wilsonville, Oregon, established the program in 1998 to memorialize Charles, who served as an editor at The Oregonian and the Oregon Journal. Since the program’s inception, about 240 students from 16 Oregon colleges have earned internships. Nearly 80 percent of Snowden interns gain full-time work in news media after completing their university degrees.
“The Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism is unique because it provides both experiential journalism skills and ethics learning as well as mentorship to ensure student success,” Thier said.
The Snowden internship program is open to student journalists at all Oregon colleges and universities. In paid 10-week placements over the summer, students work side by side with professionals, practicing the essential skills required to provide news and information to their communities. Each intern receives stipends totaling approximately $5,500 from the sponsoring news organization and the Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism.
This year, 13 SOJC students are among the 18 college journalists selected for Snowden internships, including eight reporting interns:
- Cooper Green: Statesman Journal
- Emily Olson: East Oregonian, Pendleton
- Aliya Hall: Capital Press
- Trân Nguyễn: The Mail Tribune, Medford
- Hannah Steinkopf-Frank: Herald and News, Klamath Falls
- Derek Maiolo: The Register-Guard (features)
- Andrew Field: The News-Review, Roseburg
- Isaac Gibson: Baker City Herald
The judges also chose five SOJC students for multimedia and photographer positions:
- Rhianna Gelhart: The Register-Guard (photo)
- Kaylee Domzalski: OPB (multimedia)
- Franziska Monahan: KLCC (radio)
- August Frank: The Register-Guard (multimedia)
- Angelina Hess: 1859 Magazine (video)
Five 2017 Snowden reporter positions went to students from other colleges around the state:
- Emily Goodykoontz, Linn-Benton Community College: News-Times, Forest Grove
- Clara Howell, Pacific University: The Outlook, Gresham
- Hannah Jones, Southern Oregon University: News-Register, McMinnville
- Kaelia Neal, Linfield College: The Daily Astorian, Astoria
- Rachel Rippetoe, University of Portland: The Register-Guard
Andra Brichacek is the SOJC Communication team’s writer, editor and editorial content planner. She has nearly 20 years’ experience creating content for print and online media and has specialized in education since 2008. Follow her on Twitter @andramere.