SCCC offers free journalist certificate

Sussex County Community College (SCCC) will offer a free journalist certificate, “Becoming a Community Journalist,” in which participants learn skills to cover community-centered news in their hometowns and counties.

The program will offer a hands-on exploration of how journalism works. Participants will learn the tools needed to understand local issues that are affecting their communities and how to report important stories.

The certificate will be offered in person and online beginning this month. The in-person workshops will meet on eight consecutive from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Tuesdays from March 26 to May 14 at the college’s Media Center. The online version is offered asynchronously.

SCCC is located at One College Hill Road, Newton.

Cheryl Conway, who teaches Journalism I and II at SCCC, is the instructor for the certificate. She has decades of experience as a reporter and editor for community newspapers and magazines.

“I want the participants to begin thinking like journalists and be prepared to engage effectively with their neighbors and local government. The focus is on preparing participants to become civically active and get involved in the community media ecosystem.”

The “Becoming a Community Journalist” program is offered with support from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and Journalism + Design at the New School. The program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium, an independent, publicly funded nonprofit organization supporting quality local journalism, promising media startups and other efforts to inform people better.

Nancy Gallo wrote the grant application on behalf of SCCC and its Center for Lifelong Learning and is the grant’s administrator.

“We are so appreciative to the New Jersey Council for the Humanities for choosing SCCC as a worthy recipient of this grant,” she said.

SCCC was one of only four community colleges statewide chosen to participate.

“This grant promises far-reaching and long-term benefits for our county and its citizens,” Gallo added. “The certificate is designed to teach journalism skills and design practices for anyone in greater Sussex County who wants to share stories and information their communities need to thrive.”

Space is limited for the free certificate. Those interested may call 973-579-0555 ext. 1277 or send email to ngallo@sussex.edu