KFVS12 and Southeast Missouri State University announce a new partnership to advance educational and occupational opportunities for bilingual Spanish-speaking journalism students. The announcement came from Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of SEMO, and Chris Conroy, vice president and general manager of KFVS12.
“SEMO actively looks for partnerships that benefit our students and helps them gain professional experience,” said Dr. Vargas. “Through these partnerships, we serve business and industry while contributing to prepare our region’s workforce.”
The partnership includes three universities located in Puerto Rico that belong to the Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS) program. As part of the initiative, three seniors per semester will be recruited and selected to be paid interns at KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau, while also attending SEMO as journalism students.
“KFVS is excited about this agreement with SEMO and the HETS Universities in Puerto Rico,” said Conroy. “This partnership will provide enhanced career opportunities for bilingual journalism students while also serving Spanish speaking viewers.”
The partnership also involves future employment opportunities at other stations operated by Gray Television, owners of KFVS. Many of these stations operate a Telemundo affiliate, an American Spanish language television network. Locally, Telemundo Heartland airs free over-the-air on channel 9.1
"Gray Television is partnering with SEMO and the HETS Universities in Puerto Rico to empower the next generation of journalists,” said Matt Moran, Senior Managing Vice President for Gray Television. “Through this collaboration, students will develop the skills they need to report on stories that matter to their communities. We are thrilled about this partnership and the positive impact it will have on journalism's future.”
Along with Southeast Missouri State University, the three Spanish universities in Puerto Rico included in the partnership are:
- Inter-American University – Universidad Inter American De Puerto Rico
- Sacred Heart University -- Universidad Del Sagrado Carazon
- Ana G. Mendez University – Universidad Ana G. Mendez
“I appreciate KFVS for initiating a conversation with SEMO to address a workforce need that has led to establishing greater opportunities for our mass media students as well as valuable agreements with the universities in Puerto Rico,” continued Vargas.
According to Conroy, these students will learn Journalism in America while contributing and creating content for Spanish speaking Gray Television outlets in other markets. The goal is to open recruiting pipelines with Gray-trained bilingual journalists.
“KFVS and SEMO have worked together for many years to train future journalists through our internship program,” said Roger Seay, News Director for KFVS12. “We look forward to taking this step to expand our impact on broadcast companies, such as our parent company, Gray Television, to help beginning journalists get their first job.”
About KFVS-TV
KFVS12 is the CBS Network affiliate serving the Cape Girardeau, Paducah, Harrisburg television market, and is a free broadcast service of Gray Television, Inc. KFVS12 also operates KFVS-TOO, The Heartland’s CW, Outlaw: The Western Channel, a MeTV affiliate, the Grit Network, Oxygen Network, a Telemundo affiliate, along with KFVS12.com, KFVS12 Digital, and numerous social media platforms.
About Gray
Gray Television, Inc. is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Gray is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the U.S. Its television stations serve 113 markets that collectively reach approximately 36% of US television households. This portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television stations and 102 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station. Gray also owns video program companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, as well as the studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. Gray
Applying To SEMO
New Missouri undergraduate students with a 2.75 high school GPA and who are eligible for Pell Grants won’t pay any tuition or fees at Southeast Missouri State. The Will To Do Award will cover all tuition and fees that aren’t covered by other scholarships and grants.
Prospective students are encouraged to visit campus. Southeast will host Show Me Days, the University’s premier on-campus event, the last of which takes place on March 23.
For more information or to visit campus, visit the Southeast Admissions page or contact at (573) 651-2000.