CMI Annual Report 2023-2024

2023 - 2024
MEDIA
MOSAIC
A report of the Center for Media Innovation
UNVEILING THE
POWER OF UNITY
Joint Collaboration Between Pittsburgh
Media Outlets Sheds Light on the Tree of
Life Synagogue Tragedy (see page 20)
CONNECTING WITH
BROADCASTING ICONS
Point Park Student Media Leaders
Interview WQED’s Rick Sebak (see page 50)
FEATURED: NEW HOME,
NEW POSSIBILITIES
Take an Inside Look at the Center
for Media Innovation’s Transition
to West Penn Hall (see page 46)
UNLEASHING
INNOVATION
Pittsburgh Downtown Media Hub opens
for all Media Professionals and Students
(see page 30)
Fellowship Winner
Reports on Maine’s
Contamination Crisis
Page 27

MESSAGE FROM
THE DIRECTOR
MISSION STATEMENT
The Center for Media Innovation at
Point Park University stimulates creative
thinking about the future of storytelling among
young people, professionals and the public,
focusing on narrative, entrepreneurship and
community engagement.
Change is hard. Or at least it can be.
When first-year students come to Point Park University,
it often seems like a major adjustment to go from the
comforts of home and the academic challenges of high
school to independent living and study. Many young
people talk about how they miss having a bell system
that told them when classes start and end – and that
they struggle with how to organize their free time. But
within a semester or two, they figure it out and start
thriving amid the college environment.
Then after four years, those same students make
another transition into life after college. This can be
even more jarring because of the expectations to find
a job (let alone a purpose) and to start supporting
oneself financially.
I tell our graduating seniors, it’s OK to feel
uncomfortable as long as they keep moving forward.
Look around at your parents, guardians and role
models, I say. People figure out adulting on their own terms and with some time, each of our graduates does too.
As it says in our name, the Center for Media Innovation exists in a space of perpetual change. We’re constantly
experimenting with new ways to discover information, share our findings with others, and sustain this work. We
believe in supporting local journalism, now and into the future, as a bedrock principle of American democracy.
Even with this mission in mind, the period covered by this annual magazine reveals a remarkable amount of growth.
We relocated the CMI to a renovated space in a University-owned building; we opened a new shared newsroom for
smaller news outlets – the Pittsburgh Downtown Media Hub – in the Benedum-Trees Building; and we created a
new certificate program for citizen reporters.
We also continue to evolve by working with young people in programs such as High School Media Day; with
professionals through efforts such as the Pittsburgh Media Partnership, which brings together more than two
dozen news outlets; and with the public through our Community Newsroom Project.
Change also produces results. The CMI prepares young people for lives of service in communication-related
careers, helps professionals lean into the disruption that creates new opportunities, and engages the public in the
work of supporting American democracy through information awareness and accountability.
We invite you to not only join us on this journey but to help shape the innovations to come.
Andrew Conte, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President and Managing Director
Center for Media Innovation
Photo by Nancy Andrews

15 TABLE OF CONTENTS
17
46
CMI Projects
All-Abilities Media
McKeesport Community Newsroom
Pittsburgh Media Partnership
Doris O’Donnell Innovations in Investigative Journalism Fellowship
Pittsburgh Downtown Media Hub
8
12
20
26
30
36
Community Outreach
The Center for Media Innovation was founded in 2016 with generous support from the Allegheny
Foundation. Philanthropic support is critical, and the CMI team is grateful to our project funders.
Allegheny Foundation
Doris O’Donnell Innovations in Investigative Reporting Fellowship
Center for Media Innovation Relocation
The Benter Foundation
Pittsburgh Downtown Media Hub
FISA Foundation, individual donors, and an anonymous trust
All-Abilities Media Project
58
High School Media Day
Student Profiles
Alumni Profiles
Citizen Reporting Academy
Events
CMI Relocation & Open House
Rick Sebak Visit
Media Innovators Speakers Series
From Our Studios
In The Field
Pittsburgh Downtown Media Hub Open House
30
36
38
40
42
46
50
52
54
56
58
The Heinz Endowments & Henry L. Hillman Foundation
Pittsburgh Media Partnership
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Community Newsroom Project
Annual Report cover photo by Andrew Conte.
52

CMI
PROJECTS
STRENGTHENING JOURNALISM THROUGH
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS
These partnerships represent our ongoing commitment to the
journalism community, both locally and nationwide. By providing
support, resources, and platforms for collaboration, we aim to
nurture a vibrant and resilient media ecosystem that serves the
diverse needs of our society.
Photo by Olivia Valyo / Liv For Media

CMI Projects
CMI Projects
All-Abilities Media Steps Into
National Spotlight
By Jennifer Szweda Jordan
Photo by Olivia Valyo / Liv For Media
The event received acclaim and showcased the project’s
commitment to promoting inclusivity and understanding.
All-Abilities Media, a pioneering project focused on
reporting about and engaging people with intellectual
disabilities and/or autism, has achieved remarkable
milestones. The project, which recently wrapped up a
five-year incubation at the Center for Media Innovation,
received a prestigious national reporting award and gained
momentum with its coverage of a national disability
conference.
One of the highlights was All-Abilities Media’s “A Valid
Podcast Season 3,” which stood out among numerous
exceptional entries, earning it the third-place award for
excellence in reporting on disability from the National
Center on Disability and Journalism (NCDJ). David Nitkin,
an administrator with the host organization, the Walter
Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications
at Arizona State University, praised the podcast’s depth
and exploration of critical issues related to relationships
among people with intellectual and learning disabilities.
8
Photo by Jennifer Szweda Jordan
Point Park senior Claire Lindsey, who actively contributed
to All-Abilities Media since her freshman year, played
an instrumental role as part of the team responsible for
the production of the award-winning podcast, “A Valid
Podcast.” Claire’s personal experience vividly highlights
the profound impact that All-Abilities Media has had on
students involved in the project.
“The work I did on All-Abilities Media was transformative
for me as a young person, just beginning to step outside
my comfort zone,” she said. “Each person we interviewed
taught me about what it means to persevere. I learned how
to really listen to someone - how to step into someone
else’s world for just a moment. It’s these conversations
that made me a more empathetic person. I wouldn’t trade
that experience for the world.”
The success of All-Abilities Media continued with its April
event, “Who Cares? Stories of Support,” organized by
Claire as part of her for-credit practicum.
Looking ahead, All-Abilities Media is determined to
continue making a difference. Its focus remains on
reporting about and engaging with individuals with
intellectual disabilities and/or autism. To prepare for this,
the project hosts “Podcafe,” a monthly online gathering
where participants with intellectual disabilities and/or
autism come together to build community, curiosity, and
podcasting skills while discussing pertinent topics such as
transportation barriers, dating, and employment.
A shining example of the positive impact of Podcafe
is Jessie Henry, a 25-year-old with autism, who joined
in spring 2022. By the end of the year, Jessie had even
hosted an episode of “A Valid Podcast.” His passion for the
project led him to conduct 19 interviews at the American
Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
in June, focusing on ways to enhance employment
opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The success and recognition garnered at the conference
have opened doors for All-Abilities Media, with several
offers for future sponsorships. The project has also
secured fiscal sponsorship from New Sun Rising and
continues to be managed by Unabridged Press.
Photo by Jennifer Szweda Jordan
To stay updated on the inspiring work of
All-Abilities Media, visit their website at
www.allabilitiesmedia.org, and sign up
for the Unabridged Press email list.
Here you can find the latest information
about the project’s impactful initiatives.
9

CMI Projects
CMI Projects
Empowering Voices: Stories of
Resilience from ‘Loving Our Minds’
Mental Health Event
By Jennifer Szweda Jordan
When Keith Paylo began his career in higher education
three decades ago as the Vice President of Student
Affairs and Dean of Students, mental health was not a
priority for universities and colleges. Recognizing this gap,
Paylo wholeheartedly endorsed the “Loving Our Minds”
mental health event organized by All-Abilities Media in
collaboration with the Center for Media Innovation in
September 2022.
The event brought together news media leaders,
producers, students, therapists, and various others who
graced the university ballroom stage to provide reliable
information about mental illness and health. The aim was
to normalize conversations around these crucial topics,
catering to a diverse audience while focusing on the
experiences of underserved populations.
Participants of the “Loving Our Minds” event listen in on speakers
presenting at the event. Photo by Jennifer Szweda Jordan.
10
‘Loving Our Minds’ graphic provided by Jennifer Szweda Jordan
During the event, a thought-provoking video produced by
Willy James, titled “VOICES: Mental Health and the Black
Community,” was showcased. In the video, social worker
Sharise Nance emphasized the importance of seeking
therapy for the Black community, acknowledging the
profound impact of trauma on its members. “Trauma is in
the DNA of Black people, so we just cannot afford to not
seek therapy moving forward,” she said.
Junior Anna Skeels took the stage to present a shadow
play that depicted their personal journey as a queer
individual, incorporating heartbreaking statistics from
an annual Trevor Project study on LGBTQIA+ youth. The
statistics revealed alarming figures, such as 45% of
LGBTQ youth seriously considering suicide in the past year.
In another impactful video feature, Madison Gasper, a
sophomore art major, shared her experience with mental
illness and her mother’s addiction through stunning selfportraits.
Gasper’s art portrayed her struggles, including
her high anxiety, stress, and difficulty managing her
OCD at the time. By painting a canvas black and adding a
feathered mask, she visually expressed the pain and relief
she felt during that period. “I just had it covering my face,
because it just felt like, at the time, I was just surrounded
by all this pain and the high anxiety and stress that I had
from OCD that I wasn’t managing very well at the time,”
she said in the video. “And then so just in making that
portrait, and then just being able to step back and look at
it, I just–I really did feel that relief of just seeing how I felt at
the time.”
Will Halim from StoryBurgh and mental health editor
and therapist Mary Beth Spang discussed the power of
personal narratives in addressing mental illness. They
encouraged individuals to journal their experiences as a
means of self-expression and healing.
Although the event primarily aimed to support students
who were still grappling with the aftermath of the
pandemic, the information shared is valuable for anyone.
The entire event video and a collection of news media
reporting and essays on mental health remain available
online.
The “Loving Our Minds” event received substantial
support from the Staunton Farm Foundation. Additional
contributions came from the university’s Office of
Student Life, the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park
University, Allegheny Health Choices, Inc., and Unabridged
Press.
11

CMI Projects
Tube City Writers
Celebrates Fourth
Anniversary, Expands
Reach and Projects in the
McKeesport Community
CMI Projects
By Martha Rial
Tube City Writers (TCW) continues to grow and diversify its participants
as well as its projects. The writers group celebrated its fourth anniversary
in May. In the past year the group has strived to learn and write more
about the McKeesport area. Subjects they have explored include the
impact of Greater Allegheny Passage Bike Trail on the Mon Valley.
Food is another topic the writers enthusiastically embraced. Jennifer
McCalla, of West Mifflin, wrote about the last of the pierogi pinchers at
a McKeesport church, and Peg Luketic, of White Oak, profiled a street
minister who uses hot dogs to spread hope and prayer in McKeesport.
Former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter
Jim McKay joined the group last fall to serve
as a writing coach. Guest speakers this year
included Mon Valley Independent editor
Stacy Wolford and Pittsburgh Union Progress
transportation reporter Ed Blazina.
The group also wrote about volunteers at the
Renziehausen Rose Garden and Arboretum,
Mission Agape, and the Carnegie Library of
McKeesport. These stories highlighted the
continued need for volunteers, as well as the longstanding
tradition of community service in the
McKeesport area. Eight of these stories have been
published in the Mon Valley Independent with more
stories planned for the near future.
12
Top Left: Jesse Busch reads his father Jim Busch’s story at Tube City Writers Live. (Emily Matthews)
Top Right: Tube City Writers Live at the Carnegie Library of McKeesport. (Emily Matthews)
Bottom: McKeesport area residents on a tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg with
state Rep. Matt Gergely. (Photograph courtesy of PA House of Representatives)
Right: Cupcakes for the Tube City Writers Fourth Anniversary in May 2023. (Martha Rial)
13

CMI Projects
CMI Projects
Tube City Writers Live Event
Strengthens Bonds in the Mon Valley
By Martha Rial
Our third annual Tube City Writers Live at the
Carnegie Library of McKeesport last in 2022
drew a record crowd of nearly 100 attendees.
The diverse presentations centered around the
theme "Favorite Spaces in the Mon Valley," with
participants ranging from ages 11 to 70.
Building on previous success, TCW hosted its
fourth annual Live event the following year in
2023, where nine writers shared inspiring stories
of ordinary individuals embodying the values and
history of the Mon Valley.
Members of the Mon Valley Photography Collective and Tube City Writers gather on the steps of the Carnegie Library in McKeesport
before Tube City Writers Live in July. (Emily Matthews)
At both events, the Mon Valley Photography
Collective showcased a captivating photography
exhibition, selling multiple prints and donating
a portion of the proceeds to the library as a
gesture of gratitude.
With each year's edition, Tube City Writers
Live continues to grow and evolve, showcasing
the vibrancy of the writing community in the
Mon Valley and fostering a sense of unity and
creativity among participants and attendees
alike.
Isaiah Johnson, a rising senior at McKeesport Area High
School, reads at TCWL. (Emily Matthews)
Discover more captivating narratives from
local residents on the
McKeesport Community Newsroom Blog
Amber and Vincent Luketic view images by the Mon Valley Photography Collective on display at Tube City Writers Live. (Emily Matthews)
15

CMI Projects
McKees Rocks Students Learn
Video Production From Pros
CMI Projects
By Martha Rial
The McKeesport Community Newsroom
returned to McKees Rocks last fall to help
seventh graders explore their school’s history
in Julie Himmelstein's video production class
at the Sto-Rox Middle School. With the help of
professional photographer and videographer
Curtis Reaves and WPXI-TV news photographer
Georgiann Roman, the students received
instruction on planning, executing, and editing
a video story. The students also received tips
on interviewing during in-person visits with
retired KDKA-TV reporter Harold Hayes and
WTAE anchor Andrew Stockey.
Shaping Future Storytellers
By Martha Rial
Two years ago, we expanded our outreach
beyond the Mon Valley to work in McKees
Rocks. These efforts have helped us deepen
our commitment to supporting citizen
journalists by holding six workshops for the
contributors of McKees Rocks publication
Gazette 2.0.
Workshop topics included identifying
newsworthy stories, covering a public
meeting, using public records in reporting,
feature writing, photojournalism and
broadcast journalism. Seven participants
were provided a stipend based on how many
sessions they attended.
One of the participants, reporter and editor
Jamie Wiggan had no journalism experience
before he began writing for Gazette 2.0. He
was able to parlay his experience into a new
job as the editor of the City Paper. With our
support, Gazette 2.0 was able to purchase
a new camera that will improve the visual
impact of its product.
WTAE anchor Andrew Stockey shares interviewing tips with seventh graders during a video
production workshop at Sto-Rox Junior High School. (Martha Rial)
Above: Videography and multimedia artist Curtis Reeves helps a seventh grader with editing
software at Sto-Rox Junior High School. (Martha Rial)
16 17

CMI Projects
CMI Projects
Exploring Drone Photography
The Mon Valley Photography Collective hosted Certified
Drone Pilot Dr. Lori Paluti, of Clairton, for an Introductory
to Drone Photography Workshop for photographers
interested in learning about the process of becoming a
certified drone operator. The workshop provided a handson
opportunity to operate a consumer drone.
Photo by Comocrea Johnson
Seasonal Delights
The group also captured the splendor of autumn during an
outing to Triple B Farms in Monongahela and volunteered
to photograph local children visiting with Santa Claus at
the Carnegie Library of McKeesport Christmas Party so
attendees could have a keepsake from the event.
Photo by Nan Belli
MEET
NYA
O’NEAL
Photo by Martha Rial
Tapping into Community Voices
McKeesport’s annual Good Neighbor Day gave Tube City
Writers members a chance to apply their interviewing
skills to gather community stories from the Mayor Michael
Cherepko, McKeesport Fire Department Chief Jeff
Tomovcsik, Meals on Wheels coordinator Rose Marshall
and NAACP McKeesport Unit President Brenda Sawyer
for an upcoming “Voices of the Valley” podcast.
Photo by Martha Rial
From Stills to Motion
Members of the Mon Valley Photography Collective
learned how to capture video on their DSLR and
mirrorless cameras during a hands-on session during
Good Neighbor Day with Olivia Valyo, of Point Park
University’s Center for Media Innovation.
Photo by Martha Rial
We first met McKeesport Area High School student Nya O’Neal in 2018 when she was a
participant in YouthCAST’s youth leadership program. During our first session we asked her
what word she use to describe herself, she chose “awkward.”
It has been a wonderful to watch Nya grow as a person and a communicator over the past five
years. She has participated in our photography workshops and Tube City Writers sessions
despite the many demands on her time such as school, church, theater, and marching band.
She also contributed images to the Faces of McKeesport mural, read her stories at Tube City
Writers Live in 2021 and 2022 and exhibited her photographs. One of her photographs sold.
In her senior year, she became editor of McKeesport Area High School’s Red & Blue student
newspaper.
Nya recently completed her freshmen year at Howard University where she is majoring in
journalism. With the help of Tube City Writers, she is working on a story this about antiviolence
initiatives in McKeesport. Her goal for the coming school year is to become involved
with the student newspaper The Hilltop.
She continues to inspire others in our programs with her enthusiasm and curiosity. I believe
she would choose “confident” as the word to describe herself today.
– Martha Rial
18 19

CMI Projects
Veteran Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Bob
Batz Jr., serving as interim editor of the Union
Progress while out on strike, acknowledged
that working alongside an outlet that at one
time might have been considered a competitor
was “uncharted territory.”
“What we’re doing is not common, and it’s not
going to be easy,” Batz was quoted as saying
in Ron Kampeas’ story. “Surely, we’re going
CMI Projects
to tick each other off about something or
somebody is going to put the wrong word in or
there’s a million things that can go wrong, but
the breaking of ground where you’re actually
working together, it just makes sense in so
many ways on this story. We’re really trying to
serve the community.”
Photo by Olivia Valyo / Liv For Media
Pittsburgh Media Partnership Drives
Collaborative Reporting in 2023,
Amplifying Community Impact
See page 25 for an excerpt from the story by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Dart Center's Expertise Supports Pittsburgh
Media Partnership in Covering Sensitive Topics
By Frank Garland
The Pittsburgh Media Partnership
made significant strides in the realm of
collaborative reporting in 2023, bringing
together multiple outlets to provide a broader
look at issues of great interest.
The collaborations, which received funding
support from the Partnership, included a pair
of two-outlet projects – one involving the
Pittsburgh City Paper and McKees Rocksbased
Gazette 2.0 and the other involving
the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle and the
Pittsburgh Union Progress.
The City Paper-Gazette project resulted in
a deep-dive look at Mel and John Weinstein,
two powerful figures in the Democratic
party. The story appeared prior to the May
primary in which the younger Weinstein
unsuccessfully sought his party’s nomination
for Allegheny County executive.
The collaboration between the Jewish
Chronicle and Union Progress – a publication
produced by striking Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
workers -- yielded more than 80 stories
focusing on the trial of a man charged with
multiple counts of murder – among other
crimes – related to the Pittsburgh synagogue
massacre that occurred in October 2018.
A third collaboration saw six of the
Partnership’s 26 outlets joining forces to
explore issues surrounding misinformation as
it applies to environmental news.
The Jewish Chronicle-Union Progress joint
venture caught the attention of many in the
journalism world and was itself the focus of
several media stories, including one that was
reported by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency –
the nation’s largest Jewish wire service -- and
picked up by multiple outlets including the
Times of Israel.
The story detailed how the two Pittsburgh
outlets “set aside their roles as competitors
to better serve a community still shaken by
the drama” of the synagogue massacre.
By Frank Garland
In addition to fostering an atmosphere
of collaboration among its members, the
Pittsburgh Media Partnership also looks for
opportunities to provide educational and
training opportunities for its partner outlets.
In late 2022 and early 2023, the Partnership
teamed with the Dart Center for Journalism
and Trauma to provide two training sessions
with the upcoming Pittsburgh synagogue
massacre trial in mind. The goal of the Dart
Center, which is housed at Columbia University
in New York, is to improve media coverage
of trauma, conflict and tragedy. The center’s
presenters share with journalists innovative
reporting practices and safety training, and
they also discuss news organizations’ duty of
care.
Bruce Shapiro, part of the center’s founding
leadership team, led PMP members in the
first training session in November 2022 and
offered strategies for interviewing sources
who have been subjected to traumatic
experiences, maintaining boundaries as a
journalist and employing self-care strategies.
“Know your own signs,” Shapiro told the
group. He also stressed the importance of
collaborative problem-solving in the newsroom
environment.
In March 2023, roughly a month before the
synagogue massacre trial began, Elana
Newman, McFarlin Professor of Psychology at
the University of Tulsa and research director
for the Dart Center, provided a second training
session for two dozen PMP members and
others in the Pittsburgh media interested in
the trial.
Newman touched on a wide range of topics,
including the need for journalists to be
transparent and specific in their coverage of
events that might be traumatic for survivors
or those with a connection to those events.
Newman stressed the importance of
considering the audience when reporting and
thinking about the story’s purpose before
starting the reporting process as a way of
mitigating potential impacts to sources.
Newman also touched on the importance of
journalists practicing self-care and creating an
atmosphere of camaraderie to help combat
stress.
20 21

CMI Projects
Aspiring Journalists Thrive in
Pittsburgh Media Partnership’s
Robust Internship Program
By Frank Garland
CMI Projects
One of the Pittsburgh Media Partnership’s
primary goals is to show student journalists there
is a realistic path to a substantial and rewarding
career in journalism. To that end, the Partnership
has created a robust internship program that
boasted 13 participants in the summer of 2022
and 11 more in the summer of 2023. The summer
2023 interns were placed at The Allegheny
Front, Gazette 2.0, Mon Valley Independent,
The Northside Chronicle, Pittsburgh City Paper,
Pittsburgh Independent, Pittsburgh Institute
for Nonprofit Journalism, Pittsburgh Jewish
Chronicle, Pittsburgh Magazine and Trib Total
Media.
Interns worked up to 30 hours per week for eight
weeks at their respective outlets. In addition to
getting front-line training opportunities in the
field, interns also met weekly at Point Park’s
Center for Media Innovation, where they received
training and instruction on topics related to
reporting and writing. Topics included how to
effectively search for public records; grammar,
clarity and fact-checking; the importance of
hyper-local news coverage; reviews and criticism;
and interviewing.
In addition, the Partnership expanded its program
to make two internship slots available during
the spring 2023 semester, and plans were in the
works to offer two more internship positions for
the fall 2023 semester.
One of the spring 2023 interns – Abigail Yoder, a
student at Point Park University -- was housed
at the new Pittsburgh Downtown Media Hub,
adjacent to Point Park’s campus. Yoder spent part
of her intern hours contributing to the Pittsburgh
Independent, a web-based publication that bills
itself as “Pittsburgh’s above-ground underground
newspaper.”
In addition to writing several stories for the
Independent, Yoder worked on developing a new
logo and other graphic elements for the site.
Yoder also helped bolster the Partnership’s
social media presence, as she revived a dormant
Twitter account and assisted with Facebook
posts. Perhaps her most important contribution,
however, came in the form of her work on the
Partnership’s new website.
Yoder not only actively added material to the site,
but she also created several training documents
and videos that enabled the Partnership to better
maintain and add to the site. Yoder showed great
initiative in all her endeavors, as did all of the PMP
interns during the past year.
Visit www.pghmediapartnership.com to learn more
Toby Tabachnick, editor of the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, talks about her newspaper’s collaborative reporting project with the
Pittsburgh Union Progress. The two media outlets joined forces to produce more than 80 stories focusing on the trial of a man
charged with multiple counts of murder related to the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre. Photo by Andrew Conte
Point Park University students Virginia Garner, Michelangelo Pellis, Erin Yudt and Caitlyn Scott (left to right) worked at
Trib Total Media in Summer 2023. Photo by Andrew Conte
22
23

CMI Projects
CMI Projects
“
Many reporters from both the [Pittsburgh Jewish
Chronicle] and the Pittsburgh Union Progress came
together in a very professional manner by working in
tandem in order to provide the public with in-depth and
comprehensive coverage...This unique collaboration
proved to be a huge and effective winner in helping to
provide a more complete record of the trial itself and
its impact on the community into perpetuity.
Marc A. Simon
Washington, Pennsylvania
Highlighted within the “Letter to the Editor” section of the
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle on August 25, 2023
“
In an unusual alliance, Jewish media and
striking journalists are uniting to cover
the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial
Editor’s Note: The following excerpt was authored by Ron Kampeas and
originally published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on May 1, 2023.
“PITTSBURGH (JTA) — How many times should an alleged synagogue shooter’s name
be mentioned in a news story about his trial, now beginning after more than four
years?
For the Pittsburgh Union Progress last month, the answer was seven. For the
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, it was an uneasy five, in a departure from its usual
answer of zero — a number chosen out of deference to a community devastated by
the shooting.
The slight difference was the only discrepancy between one set of stories published
by the two news organizations covering the trial of Robert Bowers, accused of
murdering 11 Jews in their synagogue here in 2018.
The anomaly offers a window into an unusual partnership between the two
publications — the city’s Jewish paper and the news site established by striking
staffers for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — born in February when it became clear
that the trial would last months.”
Read the full story here:
Background Image: U.S. Courthouse and Post Office, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Nov. 16, 2010.
24 (Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)
25

CMI Projects
CMI Projects
Maine Journalist Marina Schauffler Wins
$20,000 Fellowship from Point Park
University’s Center for Media Innovation
Editor’s Note: The following copy first appeared on Point Park University’s website.
Marina Schauffler, Ph.D., an independent
journalist based in Maine, is the winner of
the 2022-23 Doris O’Donnell Innovations in
Investigative Journalism Fellowship from the
Center for Media Innovation at Point Park
University.
Schauffler proposed a “source-to-sink” analysis
of the pathways that “forever chemicals”
travel in Maine, where enduring synthetic
and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have
created a complex contamination crisis. PFAS
generated from consumer and industrial uses
accumulate and persist in plants and animals,
and cycle through water and waste systems —
posing serious health risks. This project offers
a comprehensive look at the far-reaching scope
and impact of these potential poisons.
“Maine has seen massive disruption among its
local journalism sources, and currently has just
two daily newspapers in the entire state,” said
Andrew Conte, Ph.D., director of the Center for
Media Innovation. “This is the type of substantive
investigative journalism that we are losing across
the country as resources and news outlets
continue to dwindle.”
Schauffler ran a series of articles in The Maine
Monitor, an independent, citizen-supported,
nonpartisan journalism outlet run by the Maine
Center for Public Interest Reporting.
“There’s a pressing need for Maine – and the
nation – to better understand the pathways
by which PFAS travels, given its widespread
use and disposal,” Schauffler said. “As an
independent journalist, I am especially grateful
for the Doris O’Donnell fellowship, as it will
give me the focused time to do the extended
and interdisciplinary investigation this topic
requires.”
Read Marina’s Full Story “Compound Injustice” Here:
Fellowship Spotlights News Deserts
This marks the third year of the fellowship, which was designed to spotlight and take on the growing problem of
underserved media markets known as news deserts. Since 2004, the U.S. has lost more than 2,100 newspapers,
according to the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. Thousands of counties across the country lack
a daily newspaper, and many have no newspaper at all.
Schauffler had eight months to report and publish a final series of stories. In addition, she will come to Point Park
University’s Downtown Pittsburgh campus virtually to present her findings and work with students.
The fellowship is made possible through a three-year grant from the Allegheny Foundation.
Graphic provided by MollyMaps
26 27

CMI Projects
CMI Projects
A panel of six distinguished judges with
credentials in cutting-edge investigative
journalism evaluated this year’s
applicants based on value, innovation,
engagement, diversity and ability. That
panel included:
Photo provided by StoryWorks.tv.
About Doris O'Donnell
Doris O’Donnell, the namesake
of the award, was a pioneering
journalist who began her 50-year
career during World War II for
The Cleveland News. She joined
the Cleveland Plain Dealer in 1959,
covering the Sam Sheppard
murder trial that inspired The
Fugitive, and traveling to Dallas
for the aftermath of President
Kennedy’s assassination and the
Soviet Union during the height
of the Cold War. O’Donnell was
hired by Richard Scaife in 1973 to
write for the Greensburg Tribune-
Review. She worked there for
15 years before returning to
Cleveland.
Leila Barghouty, a supervising producer for The Washington
Post, is the winner of the second-place fellowship award of
$5,000.
Barghouty proposed a multi-part video series that would
analyze body, dash and security camera footage obtained
through public records requests and open sources to shine
a light on the misuse of what is called “less lethal force.”
Barghouty has obtained hundreds of files of footage from
dozens of counties across California as well as federal
military and security forces that have been called during
crises to manage civilians both domestically and abroad.
The judges noted that Barghouty’s focus would be on areas
that do not have access to innovative, original reporting,
such as California’s Central Valley.
Audrey Dutton, a senior reporter for the Idaho Capital Sun
in Boise, is the winner of the third-place fellowship award of
$2,500.
Dutton proposed a series that would examine how road
construction in several states uses a “cheat to compete”
system, which is facilitated by flawed federal regulations
and a lack of oversight at all levels, and how it wastes
taxpayer dollars and forces rank-and-file workers to break
the law in order to keep their jobs. The Idaho Capital Sun
is part of the States Newsroom network, which includes
sister outlets in 25 states that share the mission of bringing
coverage to underserved communities.
Year 2 Fellowship Winner Shines
Light on Missing Navajo Students
Last year’s fellowship winner,
Sunnie Clahchischiligi, a
contributing writer for Searchlight
New Mexico, won the top
prize with her proposal that
investigated how potentially
thousands of students on the
Navajo Nation went missing
during the pandemic and exposed
myriad educational failures, which
ran far deeper than the public
knows. Clahchischiligi grew up
on a remote homestead on the
Navajo Nation near Teec Nos Pos,
Ariz., and has worked in journalism
for more than 15 years. Her
resulting work was published in
Searchlight New Mexico as well as
outlets such as Rolling Stone and
The Guardian.
• Brad Bumsted, bureau chief of The
Caucus, a watchdog publication
based in Pennsylvania that focuses
on state issues
• Andrew Fraser, senior publishing
editor for The Wall Street Journal
• Jasmine Goldband '03, photo
editor for The Houston Chronicle
• Amber Hunt, investigative reporter
for The Cincinnati Enquirer and host
of the podcasts “Accused” and
“Crimes of the Centuries”
• Tory Parrish, business reporter for
Newsday in New York
• Guy Wathen, multimedia editor for
The San Francisco Chronicle
Read Sunnie’s Full
Story “Education in the
rearview mirror” Here:
28 29

All photos taken by Nancy Andrews for The Benter Foundation.
Unleashing Innovation
We are delighted to share our new vibrant and collaborative space!
Graciously funded by The Benter Foundation and situated at 223 Fourth
Avenue in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Downtown Media
Hub serves as a focal point for local journalism and media professionals.
30
At the Media Hub, you'll find an impressive array of esteemed news outlets,
each contributing their unique perspectives and expertise to the local media
landscape. The founding outlets include City Cast Pittsburgh, The Incline,
Next Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Independent, QBurgh, and Storyburgh. In
addition, the Hub houses the Pittsburgh Women’s Press Club, and offers a
daily drop-in space for others.
31

Not only does the Media Hub provide a platform
for established news outlets, but it also serves as a
creative space for Point Park University students.
Here, students have the opportunity to work on
their own media projects and network with industry
professionals, gaining valuable insights and
connections for their future careers.
See page 58 for pictures
from our December
Open House event
Whether you’re a seasoned journalist, a passionate
student, or simply curious about the local media
landscape, the Pittsburgh Downtown Media Hub is a
space where ideas come to life and stories are shared.
If you have any inquiries or would like more information,
please reach out to Media Hub coordinator, Tanner
Knapp, at the email address: tknapp@pointpark.edu.
32 33

COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
EMPOWERING STUDENTS FOR
IMPACTFUL CAREERS
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to offering students
diverse opportunities in the realm of media. Through our
approach, we empower students to turn their passion into a
career in the ever-evolving world of media.
Photo by Natalie Caine

Community Outreach
High School
Media Day
Inspiring Students to Pursue
Careers in the Industry
Community Outreach
More than 160 prospective students explored the fields
of media, marketing and communication at Point Park
University’s annual High School Media Day on October 21, 2022
and March 24, 2023.
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters,
the daylong event features interactive, career-focused
workshops led by faculty and students from the School of
Communication and Rowland School of Business, as well as
professionals in the industry.
High School Media Day for this year is scheduled to occur
during Fall 2023 on October 13 and November 10.
For more details, please visit www.pointpark.edu.
36
37

Community Outreach
Community Outreach
Outstanding Students
On-Campus Accomplishments Shine
Editor’s Note: The following profiles first appeared on Point Park University’s website.
Justin Stewart
Job Title & Employer
Media Intern, The Incline / Intern, The Allegheny Front
Major
Journalism
Graduation
Spring 2023
"I had the chance to attend Point Park's High
School Journalism Workshop and I really liked the
campus and how intimate it felt. Plus, it’s in a good
spot in Downtown Pittsburgh to easily walk to
different locations."
Grace Balzer
Job Title & Employer
Intern, Penguins Radio Network
Major
Journalism
Graduation
Spring 2022
“There are many opportunities for students to get
involved on campus and learn the ropes of writing,
photography, videography, reporting and more.
Students gain hands-on experience outside of the
classroom, which is much more beneficial than
sitting in a classroom for four years.”
Caitlyn Scott
Major / Minor
Journalism / Political Science
Graduation
Spring 2023
“The flexible structure of the journalism program
allows students to gain experience in print writing,
broadcasting and multimedia composition. It’s
important to have a variety of options to choose
from and the freedom to focus on specific areas of
interest.”
Erin Yudt
Job Title & Employer
Intern, The Herald (Sharon, Pa.) / Intern, Trib Total Media
Major / Minor
Journalism / Psychology
Graduation
Spring 2024
“What makes Point Park’s journalism program
distinctive from other universities is a focus on
real-world experiences, personable faculty and
staff and diverse class options.”
38 39

Community Outreach
Community Outreach
Exceptional Alumni
Graduates Make Their Mark
Editor’s Note: The following profiles first appeared on Point Park University’s website.
Elena LaQuatra ‘14
Job Title & Employer
Noon Anchor, Weekday Traffic Reporter, WTAE-TV
Major
Broadcast Reporting
“Point Park was the perfect university for my
broadcasting path. Apart from the class choices,
smaller, more intimate setting and new, beautiful
facilities, the opportunities I had at Point Park were
instrumental while starting my career. With campus
being in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh, I was able to
spend time shadowing several local journalists and with
the help of my professors, I secured internships with
two of the news stations while completing my classes.”
Josh Croup ’18
Job Title & Employer
Anchor/Multimedia Journalist, WTVG (Toledo, Ohio)
Major
Broadcast Reporting
“The hands-on training I received at Point
Park from professors who are still working
in the field gave me a strong foundation
that helped me hit the ground running as
soon as I graduated.”
Royce Jones ‘20
Job Title & Employer
Anchor/Reporter, KDKA/WPCW-TV
Major
Broadcast Reporting
“I always like to say, Point Park University supplied
me with the tools I needed to achieve success.
The small class sizes really opened the door
for a lot of one-on-one critique and feedback
from professors, many of whom are absolutely
outstanding in their respective crafts with
expansive resumes and career experience.”
Zoey Angelucci ‘22
Job Title & Employer
Assistant Client Executive, Krakoff Communications
Major / Minor
Journalism / Public Relations & Advertising
“I found my internships and freelance experience
to be the most rewarding and valuable parts of
my time at Point Park. I learned a lot about the
communications field and how the professional
world works. If it weren’t for these experiences,
I probably wouldn’t be in this position and would
feel behind in the professional world.”
40 41

Calling All Community Advocates!
Are you passionate about your community and eager to stay informed about local
happenings? Are you tired of feeling disconnected from the decisions made in
your township and school board? Do you believe that authentic stories about your
neighborhood deserve to be told by someone who truly understands it?
Introducing our latest groundbreaking initiative – The Citizen Reporting Academy!
This fully online certificate program at Point Park University, developed in
partnership with Neighborhood News Network and Trib Total Media, is designed
to empower individuals like you to become citizen reporters and take charge of
your community’s narrative.
CITIZEN
REPORTING
ACADEMY
Complete the program in 6 months
Learn from industry professionals
Create publishable content
Turn your passion into profit
Earn a virtual certificate
Fill news deserts and make a difference!
LEARN MORE

CMI
EVENTS
FUELING MEDIA INNOVATION IN
COLLABORATIVE GATHERINGS
We're thrilled to have organized a range of events that celebrate and
drive media innovation. These gatherings bring together creative
minds and industry leaders to spark new ideas and push the
boundaries of what media can achieve.
Photo by Olivia Valyo / Liv For Media

CMI Events
CMI Events
Header Image by Olivia Valyo / Liv For Media
Center for Media Innovation
Relocates to West Penn Hall
Editor’s Note: The following copy first appeared on Point Park University’s website.
All photos taken by John Altdorfer for Point Park University unless otherwise indicated.
The Center for Media Innovation (CMI) — a cuttingedge
learning lab for students, as well as a hub for
local media and the Downtown Pittsburgh community
— now has a space on the first floor of West Penn Hall
on Wood Street. The CMI first opened in a vacant
storefront on Wood Street and Third Avenue in 2016.
“We’ve gone through a change in journalism since we
opened the first CMI. Disruption has caused so much
pain in our industry, and now we’ve seen that change
turn into opportunity,” said Andrew Conte, Ph.D., CMI
director. “If you look at the ecosystem here, and the
news outlets that exist now that didn’t before, it is
really remarkable. So many of those organizations are
part of what we do here at the CMI. We’re supporting
important work and celebrating our way forward in our
new home in West Penn.”
The CMI features a glass-walled video studio, flatscreen
televisions and a digital ticker that offers a
New York City-style media hub where passersby
can be entertained and informed as students learn
their craft using the multimedia newsroom, TV
and radio broadcast studios, a photo studio and a
transformational presentation and gallery space.
“The CMI not only represents a physical
space, but a symbol of the University’s
commitment to innovation, creativity
and excellence in media education,”
said Student Government Association
President Kendra Summers ‘23, a
journalism major minoring in creative
writing and social justice studies. “The
CMI will provide students unparalleled
opportunities to explore and experiment
with the latest technologies and
techniques in media production.”
“The CMI has allowed me to grow as a
journalist and a media practitioner,” said
Justin Stewart ‘23, a journalism major who
co-hosts a sports podcast. “Because of
the CMI and its dedicated staff, I learned
how to create and co-host a podcast, and
it’s changed the trajectory of my life. I’m
really excited to use this space to continue
my podcasting career.”
46 47

CMI Events
CMI Events
Additionally, the CMI supports and promotes
local journalism through programs such as
the Pittsburgh Media Partnership (PMP) and
the Pittsburgh Downtown Media Hub.
The PMP — which comprises 26 media
outlets — encourages collaboration among
partner outlets, develops and distributes
resources, builds capabilities and advocates
for local journalism. The Downtown Media
Hub — located within walking distance to
campus — serves as a shared newsroom.
“The CMI is doing important things that
have an impact on our community,” said
Chris Brussalis, Ed.D., president of Point
Park. “All of this activity at the CMI creates
opportunities for our students, prospective
high school students, alumni and members
of our community. We’re so excited to share
this beautiful space.”
Relocation & Redesign
Designed by Pittsburgh-based
GBBN Architects, the original
CMI cost $2.5 million to build in
2016. LGA Partners led the $1.5
million relocation and redesign
project in 2023 — all made possible
with grants from the Allegheny
Foundation. Trib Total Media is a
founding sponsor of the center.
48
49

CMI Events
Student Media Leaders
Interview WQED’s Rick Sebak
Editor’s Note: The following copy first appeared on Point Park University’s website.
As part of the [Center for Media Innovation’s]
re-opening celebrations, student media leaders
interviewed WQED’s Rick Sebak about his
broadcasting career in the TV studio.
“I grew up watching Rick Sebak’s Kennywood
Memories, so getting to meet him is a true
full-circle moment. And to say that I’ve directed
an interview with him is even cooler,” said
broadcasting major Nick Konopka ‘23.
CMI Events
U-View students and the CMI team gather for a group photo, celebrating a successful interview with Rick Sebak of WQED.
“It was truly an honor and a surreal experience
asking Rick Sebak about his career and his
favorite projects,” said Natalea Hillen ‘24,
broadcasting major, marketing and sales minor
and HSO president. “It was very inspiring
to listen to him talk about his life and career
journey.”
Following the interview, Sebak participated in a
Q&A with the Point Park community.
Artisanal cookies crafted by Main Street Bake Shop in
Saxonburg, created exclusively for this occasion.
Watch the full
interview here
Rick Sebak proudly displays a personalized cookie
featuring his own likeness.
In the control room, Technical Director Nick Konopka
and Co-Director Zoe Vitelli get ready for their interview
with Sebak.
Interviewers Natalea Hillen, Andrew Bensch and Sam Hindman (left to right) all take turns interviewing Sebak in the CMI TV studio.
50 51

CMI Events
Speaker Series Welcomes
Innovative Storytellers
Jason Riley
CMI Events
The CMI welcomed Jason Riley, a senior fellow at the
Manhattan Institute and a Wall Street Journal columnist, to
its Media Innovators Speaker Series. Riley is the author of
five books, including his latest release, The Black Boom, an
analysis of Black economic progress prior to the COVID-19
pandemic. He has written about politics, economics,
education, immigration, and social inequality for more than
25 years and also provides commentary for television and
radio news outlets.
The event took place on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Point
Park University's Lawrence Hall.
Photo provided by Reed Magazine
Bryan Smith
Ami Vitale
Photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale shared her personal odyssey—
from documenting the heartbreaking realities of war to witnessing the
inspiring power of an individual to make a difference. Her work took
her to more than 100 countries. She lived in mud huts and war zones,
contracted malaria, and donned a panda suit—all in keeping with her
philosophy of “living the story.”
Presented in partnership with the Pittsburgh Playhouse on January
27th, 2023, she shared the incredible images and adventures that
transformed her into a celebrated global storyteller, photographer, and
filmmaker for the National Geographic Society.
For the extreme filmmaker Bryan Smith, the line between
going for it and going too far was often blurry—especially
when he was exploring the earth’s most remote
environments for the National Geographic Society.
In his edge-of-your-seat presentation, Bryan showed us
what it meant to adventure with purpose, and why he
believed the best expeditions were the ones with a healthy
chance of failure.
He had faced machete-wielding locals in Papua New Guinea,
suffered frostbite during the first-ever ice climb of Niagara
Falls, explored the South Pacific’s deepest canyons, and
scaled North America’s tallest mountains to bring us behind
the scenes and capture the impossible.
Smith spoke at the PNC Theater in the Point Park University
Pittsburgh Playhouse on Tuesday, November 15th, 2022.
52
Photo by John Altdorfer
Photo by Pablo Durana
53

CMI Events
From Our Studios
CMI Events
PR From The Heart
“The Neighborly Reviews Bookcast” provides genuine and heartfelt reviews of children’s
books, brought to you by a community of cherished neighbors from all around the world.
Led by John Masiulionis, the creative force behind PR From The Heart, and accompanied by
co-host David Newell, renowned for his role as Mr. McFeely in Mister Rogers Neighborhood, the
podcast is mainly recorded through two separate Zoom setups in San Diego and Pittsburgh.
However, the hosts reunited in Pittsburgh and used our facilities as part of several in-studio
editions of the podcast.
The Dirt Podcast
Grant Ervin has started a podcast called “The Dirt” to focus on green technology, eco-living,
sustainability and ways that government and businesses affect the environment, climate
change and more. Special guests have included Justine Russo of Pitt Ohio, Rebecca Lucore of
Covestro, and Ned Eldridge of eLoop, covering a myriad of sustainability topics.
“The Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University is a perfect setting for our Podcasts,”
producer Anthony Alfonsi said. “It has all the latest technology for enhancing the podcast.
The staff has been great to work with and has made us feel welcome. We are thankful for this
partnership.”
54 55

CMI Events
In The Field
CMI Events
South Hills Interfaith Movement
The South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) has reached out to the CMI for remote assistance
during various events since the onset of the Covid pandemic. In November 2020, the Center
organized an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, and later in the spring, collaborated again to host
the annual “Celebrate with SHIM” event in June 2021.
This past spring marked a significant moment, as the CMI proudly provided in-person support
for the first time, filming and editing several videos for this year’s annual event.
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Each summer 100 cancer survivors and caregivers meet up in Washington, DC, with the
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) to advocate for quality cancer care by
meeting with members of Congress.
In 2023, the group invited the CMI to attend this gathering and to record the messages of
survivors for the internet and social media. Managing Director Andrew Conte spoke with the
group about how to tell stories in short, focused messages. Then a small CMI team – Wayne
Gaines, Tanner Knapp and Andy – spent the next day interviewing those advocates who
volunteered to talk about how they were diagnosed with cancer and how they responded to
survive it.
The videos will be available from NCCS at canceradvocacy.org
56 57

We had an excellent turnout
for the Pittsburgh Downtown
Media Hub’s grand opening in
December 2022.
Our shared workspace, graciously
funded by The Benter Foundation,
includes offices, cubicles, a podcast
studio, conference room, and more for
local journalists and students who want
accommodations for the day.
Many thanks to everyone for stopping by!
Photos by Olivia Valyo / Liv For Media
58 59

Contact Us
Phone
Email
Website
Newsletter Sign-up
Physical Address
Mailing Address
412-392-8055
cmi@pointpark.edu
www.pointpark.edu/cmi
www.tinyurl.com/CMINewsletters
14 Wood Street, Pittsburgh PA 15222
201 Wood Street, Pittsburgh PA 15222
Photo by John Altdorfer
Staff
Andrew Conte, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President and Managing Director
Wayne Gaines
CMI Studio Technician
Frank Garland
Project Coordinator, Pittsburgh Media Partnership
Follow the CMI
on Socials!
Casey Hoolahan
Jennifer Szweda Jordan
Tanner Knapp
CMI Graduate Assistant
Project Manager, All-Abilities Media
Pittsburgh Downtown Media Hub Coordinator / CMI Studio Technician
Annual Report designed and compiled by
Tara Maziarz Myers
Department Coordinator
Olivia Valyo / Liv For Media
Martha Rial
Project Manager, McKeesport Community Newsroom
www.livformedia.com
Photo by Randall Coleman
@pointparkcmi
Nick Tommarello
Olivia Valyo
CMI Graduate Assistant
CMI Creative Content Coordinator

Center for Media Innovation
201 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Non Profit
Organization
Us Postage Paid
Pittsburgh, Pa
Permit No. 1674
Physical Address
14 Wood Street, Pittsburgh PA 15222
Mailing Address
201 Wood Street, Pittsburgh PA 15222
Website
www.pointpark.edu/cmi