ABQ Times

From Santa Fe to Silver City and across New Mexico, communication and journalism students from the University of New Mexico are stepping into significant roles in local media. The New Mexico Local News Fellowships and Internships program has revealed its largest and most geographically varied class for the 2025–2026 cycle, featuring nine UNM students and recent graduates among the recipients.

In the upcoming cycle, the program will place eight fellows and 11 interns throughout New Mexico. This initiative aims to strengthen local newsrooms and nurture the next wave of journalists.

The program's growth is supported by a $300,000 contribution from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, with continued backing from the New Mexico Local News Fund. These funds allow the program to incorporate enhancements, such as additional newsroom partners, improved compensation, and stipends for professional development.

"This larger cohort and expanded reach will pay long-term dividends in communities across the state," stated Rashad Mahmood, executive director of the New Mexico Local News Fund. "We’re grateful for the strong bipartisan support from the Legislature, including Sens. Jeff Steinborn, Peter Wirth, Carrie Hamblen, and Rep. Nathan Small."

Established in 2019 within UNM’s Department of Communication and Journalism, the program seeks to address the waning presence of local news. Over the years, it has placed 63 fellows and interns in 35 newsrooms across 13 cities.

"This talented group of young reporters will give a major boost of energy to news organizations across the state," commented Gwyneth Doland, program manager and professor of practice at UNM. "I’m especially grateful for the faculty at NMSU and WNMU who helped us more than double the number of applicants from outside Albuquerque."

This year, several UNM fellows will begin work at well-known outlets, including Lily Alexander at The Santa Fe New Mexican, Mia Casas at KUNM News, Micaela DePauli at KRQE News 13, Marcela Johnson at Silver City Daily Press and Independent, and Elizabeth Secor at The Albuquerque Journal.

Other appointed fellows include Regina Barnett from WNMU at El Defensor Chieftain (Socorro), Abigail Salas from NMSU at KRWG Public Media (Las Cruces), and Andrea Vasquez from NMSU at The Independent (Edgewood).

"The fellowship has taken care of my biggest post-graduation worry—having a job," said Secor. "Plus, it’s a job in the field I love and now I get to contribute more coverage to the vibrant Albuquerque area."

UNM interns will also join respected newsrooms and nonprofit organizations, such as Adelina Blea at Journalism and Women Symposium NM, Florian Knowles at Chalkbeat, Abigail McDonald at The Paper, and Nicole Osborne at New Mexico Jewish Journal.

Additional interns from other universities include Allison Brady at The Las Cruces Bulletin, Samantha Daitz Labarrere at KSFR Radio, Diego Gallegos at the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, Paola Garcia at New Mexico Local News Map, Marshall Mecham at Artesia Daily Press, Azure Mitchel at Hobbs News Sun, and Ben Schlittler at KOB 4.

The program marks its first engagement with participants from Western New Mexico University, placing interns in Hobbs and Artesia for the first time. Darren Phillips, a retired NMSU professor and program coordinator, collaborated with more than 50 faculty members statewide to attract students from less represented areas and smaller campuses.

In addition to newsroom assignments, this year’s group will engage in a statewide collaborative reporting project and receive support to attend national journalism conferences. Intern and fellow compensation has been adjusted to match rising living costs.

With placements ranging from Las Cruces to Socorro, the program's mission extends beyond filling newsroom vacancies; it aims to influence the future of journalism in New Mexico.

For more information, the New Mexico Local News Fellowships and Internships program is available for further inquiries.