FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2025
CONTACT:
Tanya Henderson
Email: tanyah@pa-news.org
Phone: (717) 703-3002
PNA Foundation Launches Collaborative Statewide Newsroom Internship Program
HARRISBURG, Pa., (June 24, 2025) – The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation, in partnership with the National Association of Black Journalists Philadelphia, the Pittsburgh Black Media Foundation and Temple University, is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking internship program designed to connect the next generation of journalism talent with newsrooms across Pennsylvania.
This initiative offers college students from universities statewide the unique opportunity to gain firsthand experience through paid summer internships at participating newsrooms. With the support of grants from the Sandra Hardy/Calkins Foundation and the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, students will receive $20 an hour for internships lasting between 10 to 12 weeks.
Participating newsrooms include:
• Bucks County Courier Times
• The Chestnut Hill Local
• Erie Times-News
• FunTimes Magazine
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
• The Morning Call (Allentown)
• The Philadelphia Inquirer
• The Philadelphia Tribune
• Trib Total Media
“We are beyond excited to roll out this pilot program, which has been in development for over a year,” said Tanya Henderson, executive director of the PNA Foundation. “It is part of our core mission to empower local journalism and nurture the next wave of reporters who will not only shape the future of news but also remain in Pennsylvania to contribute to our state’s local news landscape.”
Michael Days, president of NABJ Philadelphia, echoed the enthusiasm: “We are honored to be part of this inaugural effort, placing talented college students in newsrooms throughout the commonwealth. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to seeing the program grow beyond its first class.”
“Supporting up and coming Black journalists is a founding principle that is core to the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation’s mission. We are proud to take part in a program that connects students with some of the top newsrooms in the state and trains them to remain in the business for years to come,” said Deborah Todd, president of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation.
A standout feature of this program is its mentorship component, which pairs each intern with experienced industry professionals. These mentors will provide invaluable guidance to help students navigate the complexities of the newsroom environment. In addition, Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication has played a crucial role in preparing students through a comprehensive three-hour readiness training before they enter the newsroom.
“This inaugural cohort of journalism fellows will have invaluable experiences that help prepare them to thrive in newsrooms — and ultimately to better serve people in communities they’ll cover during their careers,” said Denise James, journalism professor at Temple University. “It is an honor for me and my colleague, Sarah Landwehr, to support this program that prepares journalists for a changing industry during challenging times. This is a powerful example of what’s possible when professional organizations, universities and our newsroom partners work together.”
At the conclusion of the program, PNA Foundation will provide a detailed report outlining its impact and best practices learned.
About PNA Foundation:
The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation is an independent, non-profit corporation organized as a public foundation. Its mission is to support the sustainability of local news through philanthropy and fundraising, training and recognition of professionals and student journalists.