2024 at Columbia Journalism School: Year in Review

Honoring Trailblazers: Celebrating Hip Hop Journalism and the Legacy of Ida B. Wells

In February, nearly 200 hip hop journalists gathered at Columbia Journalism School for a landmark conference: WORD: LIFE: An Opinionated Mixtape of Hip Hop Journalism.

Held on February 20-21, the event honored the individuals, publications and programs that have defined hip hop journalism over the last 50 years, including the late Greg Tate.

Co-hosted with Critical Minded, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Ford Foundation, WORD: LIFE was described as a "family reunion" by attendees, uniting generations of journalists to reflect on hip hop's history and the future of the craft. 

Then in March, the Ida B. Wells Symposium celebrated the groundbreaking work of the legendary Black investigative journalist.

The event gathered leading journalists and thinkers, including Nikole Hannah-Jones, Kimberly Crenshaw and Paula Giddings, to explore her lasting influence on journalism and civil rights.

Following a day of panels, a bust of Wells was placed in the lobby of Pulitzer Hall as a lasting tribute to her legacy.

Reporting’s Political Impact: Protests and Presidents 

In the spring of 2024, as Columbia University was the center of campus protests, J-School students demonstrated the power of real-time reporting. 

Their work appeared across global outlets, reflecting the intensity and significance of the moment. Highlights include Claire Davenport,  '24 M.S., Elza Goffaux, '24 M.S., and 13 more CJS alumni, who collaboratively documented the two weeks of the encampment through photos, reporting, video, and audio clips in a project titled “Occupation No More.”    

Access the full reporting archive here.

As the 2024 U.S. Presidential race heated up, CJS students and faculty remained at the forefront of political coverage. J-School community members also reported on other election around the globe — check out a roundup of their work here.

On November 14, CJS joined SIPA and the Office of the President in hosting “The Campaigns and the Coverage,” evaluating media reportage before, during and after the election.

Expanding Opportunities: Advances in the CJS2030 Access Initiative

In 2024, Columbia Journalism School made significant strides in expanding access to its world-class programs. 

Now in its second year, the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) continues to alleviate financial pressures for graduates pursuing socially impactful careers. The program ensures they can work in critical reporting roles without overwhelming debt.

In addition, the J-school invested in incoming students by:

• Launching the GS Pathways program in Fall 2024,
• Introducing new scholarships for CUNY and GS graduates,
• And waiving the application fee for all.

And this is only the beginning: according to Tarin Almanzar, Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, “We are actively identifying how we can expand and offer financial support to more students in the future.”

AI in the Newsroom: Driving Data Journalism Forward

As the J-School expands the CJS2030 AI Initiative, the newest cohort of journalism students gain advanced insights about effectively using AI tools — and applying them responsibly to expand their reach into serious data reporting.

The Brown Institute hosted Media Party, a hands-on, three-day conference that included workshops and a “hackathon.”

That same week, Pulitzer Hall was the home of “AI and the Newsroom,” a symposium held by The Tow Center and the Newmark Center. Experts explored topics at the intersection of ethics and data, focusing on how AI and journalism will shape the future of the newsroom.

Plus: The Tow Center conducted a study that was published in CJR that explores the issues and risks surrounding OpenAI's ChatGPT Search.

More Highlights from the CJS Community

• As of September, 79% of the Class of 2024 had post-graduate plans lined up. See "Where the Class of 2024 Landed."
• Alumni shone at the 45th News and Documentary Emmy Awards, with projects such as Inside Wagner and It Happened Here: A Year in Uvalde earning accolades​.
• Columbia Journalism Investigations uncovered smuggling routes, held prosecuteors to account and examined “forever chemicals.”
• The Class of 2024's Thesis Films were showcased at DocFest, exploring diverse themes like climate activism, para-judo, and cultural debates around drag-centered education programs.
• The J-School hosted dozens of screenings and panels, including one for Bad Press, showcasing challenges of free journalism in indigenous communities.
• The Career Development team held over 60 events themselves, helping students develop skills, introducing them to industry leaders and preparing them for the annual Career Expo.

Keep the celebration going: visit our News Archive.