RTDNA Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship, Fellowship Recipients

The RTDNA Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 scholarship and fellowship program. This year, the Foundation is awarding more than $35,000 to 14 talented students and early career journalists.

Scholarship and fellowship winners will attend RTDNA25, taking place June 11-13 in New Orleans.

Since its establishment in 1970, the RTDNA Foundation has provided more than $1 million in scholarships and fellowships to about 600 aspiring journalists, fulfilling its role as the educational and charitable wing of the Radio Television Digital News Association. 

Some have gone on to become reporters, producers and news directors, covering local and national issues that matter to their communities. Others have ventured into related professions, such as White House speechwriters, media regulatory attorneys and journalism educators. Several former recipients have also contributed to RTDNA’s leadership by serving as board members, while many have been honored with prestigious Murrow Awards.

Below are this year’s recipients: 

David Louie Scholarship, presented by David Louie, the recipient of the RTDNA Foundation’s very first scholarship in 1970 while a student at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. This $2,000 scholarship is given to full-time Northwestern/Medill students with a preference for applicants of Asian American descent.

Jasmine Kim is a sophomore at Northwestern University, double majoring in Journalism and Political Science. As an anchor, reporter, and producer for the Northwestern News Network, Jasmine has created video packages and articles that center on underrepresented voices and community-driven stories. Originally from Los Angeles, she brings a thoughtful lens to her storytelling and is committed to journalism that informs, uplifts, and inspires.

Lou & Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship, presented by Lou and Carole Prato, honors Lou’s more than 30 years of service to RTDNA and the RTDNA Foundation. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a journalism student who brings Lou's journalism values to covering sports.

Bradmond-Lee Harewood is a sophomore journalism student at Hampton University who is determined to become a multimedia sports correspondent. A former athlete, Bradmond-Lee serves as a photojournalist, reporter, and creative content intern across campus media outlets, including The Hampton Script, WHOV-TV, and WHOV 88.1 FM. He first discovered his love for journalism as Editor-in-Chief of The Tiger Flash newspaper in high school. With a strong voice and sharp storytelling skills, he hopes to one day report on the NFL, NBA and MLB.

Mike Reynolds Scholarship, in memory of the late KCCI-TV editor, this $1,000 award recognizes a student’s writing and dedication to news.

Justin Tabor is a junior studying media production and journalism at Morehead State University. He works as an anchor and reporter for the campus news program and the campus radio station, and has also served as a media intern for Appalachian Regional Healthcare, creating promotional content. A native of Carlisle, Kentucky, Justin is passionate about community storytelling and has remained engaged in his hometown through historical society work and fundraising for local projects. He plans to use the scholarship to support his final year of college and launch a career in journalism with a national news network.

Carole Simpson Scholarship, presented by barrier-breaking journalist Carole Simpson, this $2,000 award is given annually to a student of color and supports media diversity.

Eliana Alzate is a multimedia storyteller studying English Writing and Computer Science at DePauw University with a minor in Media Studies. She recently served as editor-in-chief of The DePauw, Indiana’s oldest college newspaper, and was selected as one of 29 college journalists to report on American democracy through the Carnegie-Knight News21 program. A proud Filipina journalist, Eliana is passionate about telling stories that center communities of color. She has reported on issues such as election disinformation and international student experiences, and she actively mentors fellow student journalists. Currently studying abroad in London, she’s expanding her photography skills and launching a YouTube channel to share her travel experiences.

Pete Wilson Scholarship, honoring the late San Francisco broadcast journalist, this $2,000 grant is awarded to a Bay Area journalism student.

Emily Sedgwick is a sophomore at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Environmental Economics & Policy with a minor in Journalism. She reports for CalTV, Berkeley’s on-screen media organization, and is active in student government and the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy. Emily discovered her love for filmmaking in high school, where she produced a wide range of short non-fiction films and served as Executive Producer for her school’s Real-World Filmmaking class. Her short documentaries have been recognized at local, national, and international levels, including a Student Emmy nomination. Emily is driven to use visual storytelling to uplift voices and spark impact.

Lee Thornton Scholarship, a $2,000 scholarship awarded to an undergraduate student in honor of Lee Thornton, the first African American woman to cover the White House for a major news network and the first African American host of All Things Considered on NPR.

Elizabeth Polo is a sophomore at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she is majoring in Journalism and minoring in Creative Writing. She serves as executive producer for WMUC Radio News and writes as a freelance contributor for both the Catholic Standard and Adams Publishing Group. Elizabeth is passionate about storytelling in all forms and brings that same energy to her hobbies, which include cooking, reading, and kayaking. She is eager to continue amplifying voices through audio storytelling and community reporting.

Bob Horner Scholarship, presented by veteran broadcast executive Robert Horner, this $2,500 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student studying journalism or communications with aspirations of a career in broadcast or video journalism.

Alison Miller is a sophomore at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She serves as a producer, assignment editor, reporter, and anchor for the Northwestern News Network (NNN), where she was the youngest reporter to cover the student encampment on campus. Her reporting spans a wide range of stories, including the Red Line Extension Project and the resilience of Chicago’s Ukrainian community. Alison also works as an intern reporter for Oxford Community Television near her hometown. She is passionate about uncovering powerful local stories and connecting with the communities she covers.

Presidents Scholarship, a $2,500 award in memory of past RTDNA presidents, recognizes a broadcast journalism student’s excellence.

Savannah Reinke is a journalism major at St. Cloud State University with minors in Graphic Design and Marketing. A Missouri native with a background in agriculture, Savannah began her journalism career early, interning at Carter Media and becoming a Saturday Night News Anchor at just 16. She’s received state and national recognition from FFA for agricultural communications and has interviewed key political figures in Missouri’s agriculture industry. On campus, Savannah produces live Division I hockey broadcasts for FOX9+ and is a member of Husky Productions, UTVS, and the university’s track and field team. She’s passionate about community-focused storytelling, sports broadcasting, and staying rooted in the rural communities that shaped her.

George Foreman Tribute to Lyndon B. Johnson Scholarship, presented to a student at the University of Texas at Austin, this $6,000 award established by the boxing champion honors his inspirations, President Johnson and RTDNA Foundation Founder Barney Oldfield.

Paisley Porter distinctly remembers the moment she decided to pursue a career as a broadcast journalist — when she hosted the “Paisley Porter Show,” a talk show staged in her elementary school cafeteria. A Houston native, Paisley grew up watching ABC13, where the work of journalists like Melanie Lawson and Dave Ward helped shape her journalistic values. Now a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, Paisley is double majoring in Journalism and Communication & Leadership. She has anchored and reported for Texas Student Television, interned for KUTX 98.9 and KXAN’s “Studio 512,” and worked in KXAN’s digital department. Paisley is deeply grateful to the RTDNA Foundation for their support through this prestigious scholarship and is committed to pursuing a journalism career that informs, uplifts, and inspires.

Ed Bradley Scholarship, a $10,000 award presented to an outstanding student of color in memory of the late CBS News’ 60 Minutes correspondent and groundbreaking journalist.

Alesha Cesar is a senior at Howard University majoring in Journalism with a focus on broadcasting and digital media. She has interned at CNN, WJLA in Washington, D.C., Glitter Magazine, and The Haitian Times, where she reported on issues ranging from breaking news to community resilience and pop culture. She is a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association’s honor society, and the founder of A Seat with Alesha, a digital platform that highlights culture, identity, and underrepresented voices through podcasts, interviews, and written content. Alesha is passionate about creating space for authentic storytelling and using journalism as a tool for social justice and empowerment.

N.S. Bienstock Fellowship, established by Richard Leibner and Carole Cooper of the talent firm now known as Bienstock, a UTA Company, this $2,500 award supports a new professional broadcast journalist of color.

Gaea Katreena Cabico is a Filipina freelance journalist reporting on climate change, the environment, and energy through a social justice lens. Her work has appeared in Inside Climate News, Eos, Dialogue Earth, and Philstar.com, and has earned fellowships from organizations such as The Outlaw Ocean Institute and Earth Journalism Network. A member of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network, Gaea was honored by the 2024 Covering Climate Now Awards for her reporting on climate education in the Philippines. She is currently based in New York City, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in Journalism at NYU, specializing in Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting.

Michele Clark Fellowship, named for the CBS News correspondent tragically killed in a plane crash while on assignment, this $1,000 award supports a new professional broadcast journalist of color.

Leah Mallory is a rising journalist dedicated to reporting on digital equity, community empowerment and social justice. A Baltimore native, Leah has interned at ABC7 and is preparing for her next role at FOX News. Her reporting has appeared in New York Amsterdam News, covering timely issues like the Affordable Connectivity Program and the role of public libraries in closing the digital divide. Leah’s newsroom experience includes roles with WFUV Public Radio, the Elvis Duran Show, SiriusXM and WABC-TV. She brings both creativity and compassion to her work and is committed to using journalism as a tool for community impact.

Dr. Marsha Della Giustina Scholarship, honoring the trailblazing broadcast journalist and educator who spent more than 50 years in the industry, including four decades mentoring students at Emerson College. A longtime RTDNA member, Dr. Della Giustina launched one of the largest regional journalism conferences in the country and helped shape the careers of thousands of journalists. This $2,000 scholarship supports a student who embodies her commitment to excellence and mentorship in journalism.

Bria Lloyd is a journalist who has worked in local, national, and international news across both TV and radio. Most recently, she served as an investigative reporter for Connecticut Public Radio, where she co-hosted the podcast In Absentia and produced a documentary on prison reform after reporting in Norway. Her investigations have tackled issues such as public transportation accessibility, delayed paid leave, and how police respond to sexual assault victims — work that earned her a regional Emmy nomination and an Edward R. Murrow Award. Bria has also contributed to Scripps News, PBS NewsHour, Al Jazeera English, and DC News Now. She earned her undergraduate degree from George Mason University and was named Journalism Student of the Year by the Department of Communication. Bria is currently pursuing her master’s in Media Management at The New School in New York City, where she aspires to become a member of a news organization’s executive leadership team.

Gary L. Hanson International Reporting Fellowship, established in honor of Gary Hanson, a former RTDNA chair and lifelong advocate for journalism and education. This fellowship celebrates Hanson’s dedication to international storytelling and provides a $2,500 stipend for recipients to attend the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy, or another global journalism event of their choosing. In addition to the stipend, recipients are invited to attend the RTDNA conference.

Jordan Gass-Pooré is an award-winning independent podcast producer and investigative journalist based in New York City with more than a decade of experience in audio and print. She is the creator and host of Hazard NJ, the first podcast produced by NJ Spotlight News, which has earned recognition from the Edward R. Murrow Awards, Third Coast, Public Media Journalists Association, and The Webby Awards, among others. Jordan also co-founded Local Switchboard NYC, a women-led audio collective that trains New Yorkers in journalism and podcasting. Previously, she co-created Hazard NYC, a multimedia project with THE CITY examining climate change’s impact on New York’s Superfund sites. She holds a master’s in investigative journalism from City, University of London, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and English from Texas State University. Her work has been featured by NPR, CNN, Mother Jones, and other national and international outlets.

Congratulations to all of the 2025 recipients! We’re honored to support the next generation of journalists as they inform, inspire and lead.