Current Projects

Keep up-to-date with my current projects and honors/awards through this page.

City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism student

In August 2010, I will officially become a student at CUNY's Graduate School of Journalism on the International Reporting track. There, I will learn the ins-and-outs of covering international news, while taking a variety of courses to ensure that I am comfortable in a multimedia environment.

I am excited to begin my studies in the prestigious CUNY J-School!

International Radio and Television Society Summer Fellow

This summer, I will be in New York on a fellowship with the International Radio and Television Society.

I will be interning with AlJazeera English in the United Nations Headquarters, as well as in AlJazeera English in the Thomson Reuters building in Times Square.

I was one of 16 finalists from a group of over 1,000 applicants--it is truly an honor to be named an IRTS Fellow!

U.S. Fulbright Grant finalist

Recently, I was notified that I am a finalist for the prestigious Fulbright Research Grant for research abroad. My topic, on youth Internet behavior in Egypt, will hopefully provide some much-needed information about the Internet habits of Egyptian youth.

Update: I have been notified that I was not chosen for the 2010 Fulbright grant, but I am honored to have been among the finalists and hope to apply again at a future date.

2010 Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholar

I am proud to announce that I am the 2010 Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Award recipient. This June, I will travel to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Conference to accept this award. I am truly honored!

Spotlighted student on USF home page

Thanks to the referral of the wonderful faculty and staff in the USF Honors College, I have been chosen as a student spotlight for the USF homepage.

The article can be found by clicking here.

I am truly honored--what a great way to end my career at USF.

2010 James B. and Jo Ann G. Heck WUSF Student Award

With the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Heck, I was chosen as the WUSF student recipient of the James and Jo Ann Heck Award for excellence and academic achievement, as well as professional development. A big thank you to my news family at WUSF.

Presidential visit and my reporter package

A recent presidential visit to Arcadia, Florida, allowed me to gain credentials and report on President Obama's visit to the largest solar energy plant in the nation. My classmate and I were the only students that were able to get credentialed for the event.

To view my reporter package on the event, which aired on WUSF Channel 16, click on the "Portfolio" section to your left.

Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists/St. Petersburg Times Minority Scholarship Winner

I recently was awarded the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists/St. Pete Times Minority Scholarship. Find out more here: http://www.tbabj.com/index.php?categories=Scholarship.

The TBABJ stated that: “A committee of local journalists evaluated students based on applications that included resumes, work samples, school transcripts and an essay analyzing the media’s coverage of a recent news story involving race, class or religion.” I am honored to be chosen as a recipient of this wonderful award and I hope that one day I can contribute to the fund to award minority students pursuing careers in journalism. 

Update: "Dream Deferred" Scholarship Contest

Here's an interview for my first place "Dream Deferred" Essay found http://www.hamsaweb.org/essay/us2009.html#1). The interview can be accessed here: http://www.hamsaweb.org/crime/56.html#3.   Enjoy!

Summer 2009: First Place winner in national "Dream Deferred" Scholarship Contest!

I was recently awarded the first place scholarship prize for the Hands Across the Mideast Support Alliance's (HAMSA) "Dream Deferred" essay contest!

Read my fictional news story of the future that beat 2,600 applicants nation-wide here: Carmel's Dream Deferred Essay

Hopefully in the future this will actually happen by the efforts of our generation!

Fall 2009

Exciting news:

I have been chosen to become a news producer, web producer, reporter, backup anchor and photojournalist for our student newsbreak, Florida Focus, for the Fall 2009 semester. This is an actual 2:30 "newsbreak" created by students airing on local TV. Remember, Tampa is a top 13 market, so the fact that this show airs here is a wonderful way for exposure in our media market.

For more information about Florida Focus, visit http://www.masscomm.wusf.usf.edu/

I will be updating my portfolio and resume with web clips and multimedia pieces in Fall 2009, when this course begins. Be sure to stay tuned for more updates!