This article was written by Drue Hamlet
Two student leaders from The Volunteer Channel (TVC) recently represented The Media Center at the CNN Academy Bootcamp in Atlanta. This intensive, five-day program brings in top professionals from around the globe to train and mentor the next generation of journalists on various topics.
Journalism and media majors senior Gracyn Thatcher and junior Emma Browning participated in more than 40 hours of workshops focused on health reporting, breaking news, media ethics, social media strategy, and mobile journalism. For Browning, who serves as vice president of TVC and executive producer of Volunteer News, one session stood out in particular.
“My favorite session of the week was the discussion on journalism ethics,” said Browning. “We got to have a Q&A with two members of CNN’s ethics department, and they poured out so much information about how to handle difficult content in an ethical and productive way.”
The bootcamp gathered over 80 students from 19 universities across the country at CNN’s Techwood campus. In addition to practical workshops and Q&A sessions with CNN producers, correspondents, and editors, students were tasked with capturing their own multimedia stories during the bootcamp. Students produced a story from start to finish on location throughout Atlanta, with each receiving personalized feedback from CNN journalists.
“I went to Ponce City Market and was able to find a story on the fly, film with my phone, help conduct interviews, write the script, and edit the project,” said Thatcher, news director and president of The Volunteer Channel. “It taught us the value of working collaboratively on stories, but also the importance of being able to work independently as a multimedia journalist.”
Both students said the lessons learned at CNN Academy will have an immediate impact on The Volunteer Channel’s future.
“My notebook is absolutely filled,” said Thatcher. “Social media is a top priority for us to grow right now—being able to take what we’ve learned and truly implement it is an exciting challenge.”
Browning shared a similar reflection, tying the experience to The Media Center’s broader mission.
“Attending the CNN Academy Bootcamp was such an honor,” said Browning. “It gave me insight into how journalism continues to evolve and reminded me of the power we have to inform and serve our communities.”
The Media Center continues to prioritize experiences like the CNN Academy to help students bridge classroom learning with real-world experience.
“The CNN Academy is another example of the next-level professional development opportunities across CCI and The Media Center,” said Professor Nick Geidner, director of The Media Center.
