At a time when journalism is redefining how it serves the public, the Knight Foundation continues to play a central role in supporting the profession’s evolution and the development of its future leaders. That commitment is reflected at Florida International University’s Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media, where Knight’s relationship with the school supports a model of education rooted in practice, collaboration, and community engagement.
Knight Foundation’s work centers on ensuring communities have access to informed and engaged journalism. At Caplin, that vision is not theoretical, it is being lived through daily student experiences, collaborative reporting initiatives, and stronger connections between classrooms, newsrooms, and communities.
“This partnership allows us to translate Knight’s national commitment for local journalism into real-world impact by embedding students in professional, community-centered journalism experiences,” said Brian Schriner, dean of FIU’s College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts. “Together, we are strengthening local and regional news ecosystems while preparing the next generation of journalists to lead with integrity, innovation, and purpose.”
Knight’s long-standing support has helped collaborative journalism become a more established and effective approach within the profession. Liza Gross, a leader in the collaborative journalism field whose work has closely intersected with Knight-supported efforts, noted that collaboration allows institutions to combine expertise and resources in ways that strengthen reporting and expand its impact within communities.
That philosophy is shaping Caplin’s approach to journalism education. With Knight’s partnership, the school is expanding on experiential learning and test models that align classroom instruction with professional practice. Students no longer must wait until graduation to work as journalists. Through Caplin News, Noticiero, and partnerships with local newsrooms, they contribute to reporting that reaches real audiences and engage directly with the communities they cover.
This direction has gained further momentum with the arrival of Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and FIU alumnus Manny García as Knight Foundation Executive Director at the Caplin School. His leadership has strengthened connections between education, industry, and community all while guiding collaborative initiatives and expanding mentorship opportunities for our students.
An early example of this work includes student-led reporting efforts around affordable housing in South Florida, developed through collaborative partnerships and anchored by Caplin News. The initiative reflects the school’s broader direction of connecting students to real community issues through cross-institutional collaboration, with additional projects and partnerships continuing to take shape.
Looking ahead, the partnership’s success will be measured through student development and community impact. “Success means our students graduate as confident, job-ready journalists and media professionals who are shaping the future of the profession and serving their communities,” Schriner said. “It also means FIU Caplin is recognized nationally as a hub for innovative, collaborative, and community-driven journalism that advances Knight’s mission. The Caplin Way is not a doctrine, rather it is a direction, a path forward.”
Through sustained collaboration, industry engagement, and student-centered learning, Knight Foundation and the Caplin School illustrate how national support for journalism education can translate into meaningful local practice and lasting public value.
