Media leaders can apply until May 3 to participate in this year-long, global certificate program
The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY is now accepting applications for the fifth cohort of the Executive Program in News Innovation and Leadership. This year-long certificate program — which runs from September 2024 to June 2025 — invites global media leaders with backgrounds in editorial, product, business and technology from local, national, and international news organizations to apply.
The program operates on a hybrid model, allowing participants to engage in virtual sessions while convening three times a year for in-person residencies in New York City. Akin to an MBA, the curriculum imparts holistic leadership, business, and management training to senior-level journalists and media managers. Expert instructors and coaches anchor the program, aiming to empower news leaders in navigating the business of journalism, devising strategies for sustainability and innovation, and fostering more effective and equitable team leadership.
After working in newsrooms for more than a decade, Laura Krantz, Subscriber Products Editor at The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Executive alum of the Class of 2023, knew she needed to grow her business skills in order to be an effective cross-functional leader.
“The program not only gave me concrete skills in areas like audience growth, finance and change management, it helped me feel confident in the leadership skills I already had,” she said. “This program is a serious investment in yourself and your leadership journey in the media industry. You become part of a lifelong, global network of leaders who are leading change and innovation alongside you.”
Want to know more about Laura’s leadership journey? Join her, Program Director Niketa Patel and other Exec alumni for a virtual information session on Tuesday, March 19 at 11 a.m. ET to learn more about the program and to ask any questions.
Hailing from esteemed international, national, and local newsrooms such as Estadao, Der Spiegel, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Texas Tribune, and New York Focus, past participants have job titles including Editor-in-Chief, VP of Product, SVP of Content & Audience, Director of Innovation, or Managing Editor.
Previous alumni include Sewell Chan, Editor-in-Chief of The Texas Tribune, Hillary Frey, Editor-in-Chief of Slate, Cynthia DeBuose, Senior Vice President of Product & Experience, and Alex Mena, Executive Editor of the Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald.
Niketa Patel, Senior Director of Leadership Programs at the Newmark J-School, said, “As we embark on this transformative journey with news leaders from around the world, our aim is to equip them not just with management skills but to instill a profound sense of leadership. The program goes beyond the traditional scope, empowering participants to navigate the evolving landscape of journalism with strategic prowess, fostering innovation, and leading their teams towards a more sustainable and equitable future. Many of our alums have received promotions or moved up the career ladder during or immediately after the program.”
The curriculum encompasses a range of topics such as the business of journalism, product development, technology integration, audience engagement, data analysis, metrics, and cultural transformation. Participants actively engage in rigorous classes, workshops, and culminate their experience with a capstone project under the guidance of an executive coach. Numerous participants have reported immediate impacts on their work and careers.
To be considered for the program, applicants must submit a resume, two letters of recommendation emphasizing leadership skills, and a 1,000-word letter of intent demonstrating their interest and suitability for the program. Acceptances will be issued on a rolling basis, with successful candidates proceeding to an interview with the admissions committee. Fluency in English is required, and the tuition for the program is $27,000, with scholarship opportunities available.
Applications are being accepted until May 3, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET. For the latest updates on training programs, interested individuals are encouraged to register for the mailing list.