New York, NY, October 1, 2026 — The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY celebrated its 20th anniversary Wednesday with a gala bringing together alumni, journalism leaders, faculty, friends, and supporters to mark two decades of preparing journalists to serve the public. The evening honored leaders of NBCUniversal News Group and The New York Times, recognized five outstanding alumni, and celebrated the school’s commitment to access, innovation, and public service.
Dean Graciela Mochkofsky reflected on the school’s founding mission: opening doors to talented aspiring journalists regardless of their background or financial means, embracing experimentation, and preparing graduates to meet the information needs of their communities.
“Our alumni are known for their hustle…their rigor, their entrepreneurial grit,” said Dean Mochkofsky. “Their reporting has changed legislation and gotten innocents out of jail. They have produced powerful, award-winning pieces of journalism. They have founded newsrooms that are filling news deserts. Our alumni are a force for good.”
Credit: Sari Goodfriend Sari Goodfriend
The evening featured a conversation between the school’s namesake and supporter Craig Newmark and journalist Kara Swisher. Honoree Cesar Conde, Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, joined NBC News journalist Laura Jarrett for a discussion, while honoree Meredith Kopit Levien, President and CEO of The New York Times, spoke with Michael Barbaro, host of The Daily. Both organizations are among the school’s leading alumni employers.
Journalist and Newmark J-School Foundation board member Ali Velshi hosted the program, which also recognized the recipients of the 2026 Alumni Awards for Excellence: Kennedy Sessions, Cherry Salazar, Nicol León Arge, Vanessa Swales, and José J. Nieves. Videos highlighting their reporting and leadership offered a glimpse of the many ways Newmark graduates are making an impact.
Credit: Sari Goodfriend Sari Goodfriend
Access was a central theme of the celebration. Dean Mochkofsky announced that every New York resident in the Class of 2027 is attending tuition-free. The milestone builds on the school’s previously announced progress toward full scholarships for all students, with 70 percent of the incoming class now attending tuition-free.
Launched two and a half years ago with a $10 million gift from Craig Newmark, the tuition-free campaign has grown with support from other generous donors. The school’s next goal is to extend full tuition support to every student, including those from outside New York.
Alumna Gibran Caroline Boyce shared how a full scholarship enabled her to pursue journalism. Her time at Newmark included an internship at CNN, school-supported reporting from Armenia and the U.S.-Mexico border, and a path to a position at NBC News after graduation.
Credit: Sari Goodfriend Sari Goodfriend
“I am not unique. I am merely one of hundreds of Newmark students who can attest to the doors that open when given the necessary resources, training, and support to pursue this work,” Boyce said.
“Our alumni are the clearest proof of what CUNY and Newmark make possible,” said CUNY’s Chancellor Matos Rodríguez. “They leave this school prepared to inform communities, hold power accountable, and strengthen our civic life.”
He also welcomed the tuition-free milestone and affirmed his support for the work ahead.
“I could not be prouder that every New York resident who comes here can now attend tuition-free, and I’m just as committed to the work ahead to ensure that every student who walks through Newmark’s doors, no matter where they call home, can do the same,” he said.
Proceeds from the evening will support Newmark J-School scholarships and student success initiatives, helping the school prepare more journalists to experiment, lead, and produce rigorous reporting in service of the public.
Learn more about the tuition-free campaign.