Students contribute, learn as Brandt Fellows

Since 2022, the College of Media has provided undergraduate students with real-world experiences through the Mark L. Brandt Public Engagement Fellows program for undergraduates. An estate gift from the U. of I. alumnus provides up to 40 internships each year to College of Media students who work on a variety of college and department initiatives. The students provide key services while gaining vital hands-on experience. 

 

 

Megan Harding joined IPM last fall as a Crisis Communications Fellow through the Brandt Fellows program. A senior in the College of Media studying journalism and minoring in public relations, her specialized training in crisis communications made her uniquely qualified for the role. 

Harding helped IPM by conducting research on how other public media stations were responding to the elimination of federal funding, and she provided recommendations on IPM’s communications strategy. She then produced short-form videos in support of public media as an essential resource worthy of investment for our end-of-year fundraising campaign. 

“Working with Megan last semester was a distinct pleasure,” said Nicky Bennett, digital fundraising manager. “The research and video content she produced was especially helpful to IPM as we continue to grapple with the loss of federal funding. Megan’s efforts greatly enhanced IPM’s end-of-year fundraising efforts and helped chart the course forward in the new funding landscape.” 

“This fellowship allowed me to apply concepts and skills I have learned in my classes to a real-world situation,” Harding said. “Public media is an invaluable resource, and this fellowship aligned with my values of service and preserving access to information.”

 

A senior in journalism in the College Media, Adelyn Mui worked for IPM News as a Brandt Fellow last semester. Prior to her fellowship, Mui had been a reporter for the Illinois Student Newsroom since 2024. The newsroom is a joint effort between IPM and the U. of I. Department of Journalism. 

As part of her fellowship, Mui produces and co-hosts the weekly arts/entertainment calendar called WILL Call. She helps curate incoming emails, confirms events, and helps write and deliver the script with IPM Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield. She also updates the accompanying website. She is expected to continue these duties as a Brandt Fellow during the spring semester.

“Adelyn brings a high level of enthusiasm to all of her work,” said Reginald Hardwick, IPM news and public affairs director. “The weekly WILL Call segments are a fan favorite of many listeners. In addition to the research, she injects energy and fun into the segments that inform Champaign-Urbana about local activities. She’s also quite the audio storyteller. Her segment on Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch also aired on NPR’s Morning Edition, making her one of a few university students nationwide who can claim this honor.”

“Through the Brandt Fellow scholarship, I’ve been able to continue my position as an editor for the Illinois Student Newsroom as well as a radio host for WILL Call,” Mui said. “Both of these have given me invaluable experience in hands-on journalism and what it means to work within a newsroom. I’m very grateful to have these opportunities, as they have profoundly shaped me into the journalist I am today.”