Cronkite School welcomes new Humphrey Fellowship cohort

Distinguished international journalists, communicators and scholars from around the world have arrived at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University to embark on a transformative journey. The Cronkite School is hosting the prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, a Fulbright Exchange program, with 11 experienced, mid-career professionals from emerging democracies.

Over the next 10 months, this cohort of Humphrey Fellows will gain expertise in the areas of investigative journalism, fighting disinformation and facilitating press freedom. In addition, they will build relationships and partner with Cronkite faculty and staff to promote a global perspective on journalism and communications. 

The fellows will live in downtown Phoenix, take courses, conduct research and receive mentoring from Cronkite School faculty. Julia Wallace, professor of practice, has been appointed as curator of the Humphrey Fellowship at ASU. 

“We are delighted to work with the fellows to help them develop plans to return to their country and make a difference,” Wallace said.

This endeavor is conducted in partnership with the U.S. Department of State and Institute of International Education. The highly competitive fellowship attracts more than 6,000 professionals who apply through their embassies and are chosen by multiple committees abroad and in the U.S. before being placed at one of the 13 partnering universities. 

The Cronkite School is the only journalism and mass communication school to host the Humphrey Fellowship program. This is the Cronkite School’s 14th year working with fellows in the media and communications field. 

Named in honor of former U.S. Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, the program’s roots stretch back to 1978. Its purpose is to uphold the values of democracy and social justice, offering professionals from developing nations an opportunity to study at American universities.

“I am thrilled to welcome the new cohort of Hubert H. Humphrey fellows to Arizona State University,” said Juan Mundel, executive director of Cronkite Global Initiatives. “These talented individuals will have the opportunity to learn about American culture, develop a career plan for their return home, and make lifelong friends with their peers, faculty and staff. I am confident that they will make a positive impact on our community and on the world.” 

This year’s cohort represents nine countries, including two nations that are represented for the first time: Peru and Georgia. Among them is Belén Tavares, a veteran journalist from Peru, who wants to master the skills to produce impactful journalism.

“I look forward to learning about new media business models and media management in order to offer another type of content that has a social impact, bringing innovation to the current journalistic formats and reaching a much wider audience worldwide,” Tavares said. “I also expect to gain a deeper understanding of the U.S., a country that is inspirational for the fields of journalism and documentaries.”

Tufan Neupane, a senior subeditor with the Kantipur Daily in Nepal, said he wants to improve his investigative reporting skills and learn how to integrate data into his work.

“As a journalist, I’m looking forward to learning investigative reporting techniques, utilizing data and online tools effectively,” Neupane said. “I’m equally eager to master innovative storytelling methods that will enhance the appeal and impact of my stories.”

2023–24 Humphrey Fellows:

Rocio Baro, Cuba

Tamuna Chkareuli, Georgia

Camille Diola, The Philippines

Riazul Haq, Pakistan

Seoka Hwang, South Korea

Mariatu Kabba, Sierra Leone

Elzat Kydyrmysheva, Kyrgyzstan

Golden Matonga, Malawi

Tufan Neupane, Nepal

Seungshin Seo, South Korea

Belén Tavares, Peru