What We Do

Since 2019, we’ve been shaping the future of local journalism by launching the careers of emerging reporters across New Mexico.

The New Mexico Local News Fellowships and Internships program provides career development experiences for journalism students and graduates from New Mexico public universities. Operated by the Communication & Journalism Department at the University of New Mexico, the program recruits and selects emerging journalists and matches them with mentors in local newsrooms. We give newsrooms enough money to pay competitive salaries to their fellows and interns. The program creates a powerful classroom-to-career pathway for a diverse selection of students, increases the capacity of local news organizations, encourages innovation, and strengthens democracy. Support for the program comes from the New Mexico Local News Fund, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions and other donors and supporters. 

Since the began this program in 2019, we have continually updated and expanded the program. What started with three fellows from UNM is now a statewide program with fellows from several universities and internships offered during the summer as well as during the school year. See the FAQ page for more information.

“For a small newspaper, having a Local News Fellow has meant the difference between scrambling to halfway cover everything in 4,000 square miles and being able to do a solid and consistent job covering that area. Our fellow has been on the front page nearly every week as an integral and very important part of the team.”

— Newsroom host Leota Harriman

“Our fellow has been a godsend as we cover the biggest health and economic crisis of our careers. We have been fortunate to have him in our newsroom. Your fellowship program has been amazing.”

—Newsroom Host Martin Salazar, Albuquerque Journal