This summer, a select group of Ithaca College journalism students will travel to Washington, D.C. to attend a weeklong bootcamp at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Just four schools are chosen each year to attend the bootcamp, which will take place from June 3 to June 7.
The theme of the bootcamp is cybersecurity. During the week, the students—three of whom were student-athletes—who were selected by associate professor of Journalism Mead Loop and Bryan Roberts, associate dean in the Roy H. Park School of Communications, will spend a week learning about pressing issues in cybersecurity from some of the nation’s leading experts. They will then work with CSIS's production studio, as well as scholars and experts to produce a story and a podcast on this topic for CSIS’s website.
Journalism and economics double major Vaughn Golden ‘20 is looking forward to the experience. “This bootcamp is incredibly immersive," he said. "I don’t think [students at other institutions], or even a lot of professionals, get this kind of in-depth exposure to reporting.”
Tara Lynch '22 sees the bootcamp as not only a chance to create professional content and sharpen her skills, but to work alongside individuals with a reputation for producing high-quality work. “I’m excited to work with a lot of people who inspire me every day.”
The opportunity for the bootcamp arose when CSIS Chief Communications Officer, Andrew Schwartz visited campus and met with Loop and Roberts. After some discussion about the school and its students, the invitation to attend was extended, which Loop says is testament to the strength of the college's journalism program and the caliber of its students.
CSIS is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to providing strategic insights and policy solutions to help decision makers chart a course toward a better world.