Professors study entrepreneurship at ASU’s Scripps Institute

Thirteen journalism professors from eight states and two countries are at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication for the annual Scripps Howard Journalism Entrepreneurship Institute, a rigorous five-day seminar that focuses on the concepts and practices of entrepreneurship within journalism.

The institute, which runs Jan. 2–6, is designed to equip journalism professors with the knowledge to integrate entrepreneurship into their academic programs. The institute, which started in 2010, is made possible through a grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the E.W. Scripps Co.

Cronkite Professor of Practice Dan Gillmor, an internationally recognized author and authority in new media and entrepreneurship, leads the institute, which features sessions on the principles of entrepreneurship, digital product development and the startup culture.

“The Scripps Howard Journalism Entrepreneurship Institute takes the concepts and the spirit of entrepreneurship to journalism programs worldwide and throughout the nation,” Gillmor said. “We are thrilled to be working with Scripps Howard Foundation on this important program for the seventh year.”

The 13 fellows were competitively selected, and each of their universities has committed to offer a class in journalism entrepreneurship in the year following the fellowship. Training, lodging, meals, materials and transportation are provided to the fellows at no cost to them or their universities.

This year’s institute features a keynote talk from Walter V. Robinson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editor who led The Boston Globe’s Spotlight investigation into the Roman Catholic Church. Other speakers include Brad Burnham, managing partner of Union Square Ventures, and David Cohn, senior director at Advance Digital, among others.

Dedicated to excellence in journalism, the Scripps Howard Foundation educates, empowers and honors extraordinary journalists who illuminate community issues, and partners with impactful organizations to drive change and improve lives.

As the philanthropic arm of The E.W. Scripps Company, the Foundation is a leader in industry efforts in journalism education, scholarships, internships, minority recruitment and development, literacy and First Amendment causes. With a special commitment to the regions where Scripps does business, the Foundation helps build thriving communities.

2018 Scripps Howard Entrepreneurship Institute Fellows

Yvette Benavides, Our Lady of the Lake University

Patricio Contreras, Universidad Alberto Hurtado

Michael DiBari, Hampton University

Melissa DiPento, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

Nathaniel Frederick II, Winthrop University

Jonathan Groves, Drury University

Summer Harlow, University of Houston

Juli James, University of North Texas

Kathy Kiely, University of New Hampshire

Christine Larson, University of Colorado, Boulder

Benjamin Shors, Washington State University

Matthew Swaine, Cardiff University

Brandon Szuminsky, Baldwin Wallace University