MC Local News Lab
About the Lab
The MC Local News Lab is a student-centered initiative designed to equip Montgomery College students with journalism, media literacy, and digital skills while producing trusted, solutions-driven local news that strengthens communities and advances democratic engagement.
An innovative Montgomery College program, the Local News Lab is designed to address one of the most important challenges facing communities today: the decline of trusted local news and the rise of misinformation. As local journalism continues to disappear across the country, communities have fewer reliable sources of information about issues that directly affect their daily lives. The MC Local News Lab responds to this challenge by creating a unique learning environment where students become active contributors to their communities while developing valuable academic, professional, and civic skills.
The MC Local News Lab was created thanks to the generous support of the Montgomery College Foundation.
About the Local News Fellowship
The MC Local News Lab is accepting applications for its Local News Fellowship, open to MC students with a strong interest in a career in journalism, media, and/or communications. The fellowship provides selected students with editorial mentorship and guidance to report on public interest issues impacting Maryland communities, especially Montgomery County.
The fellowships provide hands-on learning opportunities in journalism, media literacy, and digital storytelling that prepare students for today's evolving media landscape. Students gain practical experience reporting, researching, producing content, and engaging with their communities.
Selection criteria
- Students demonstrating strong interest in pursuing a career in journalism, media, and/or communications.
- Students from any discipline who have taken a communications, journalism, or media class. It is strongly encouraged to take Journalism 251 or 252, but it is not a requirement.
- Students proposing a reporting project about a relevant local public interest issue for communities in Maryland, especially Montgomery County.
Students interested in applying for the Local News Fellowship need to fill out the application form stating their in-depth news reporting proposal and how the fellowship will advance their career goals.
Selected students will receive:
- A $150.00 stipend for expenses associated with the reporting project.
- An assigned faculty mentor who will provide editorial guidance during the fellowship.
- Opportunity to publish at MC news media, local news organizations, or information-driven civil society organizations.
Student fellows who complete their reporting projects will have the opportunity to share their work at the Media and Democracy Forum, which will take place in 2027 at Montgomery College. For more information, contact Professor Luis Botello at Lbotello@montgomerycollege.edu.
Application
Complete the application new window.
Application Deadline: September 27. A $150 stipend will be awarded to fellows who successfully complete their reporting project.
What Fellows Will Do
- Research and report on community issues
- Conduct interviews and gather information from credible sources
- Develop news writing, fact-checking, and storytelling skills
- Create an original in-depth reporting project
- Receive editorial coaching-mentoring
- Build a professional portfolio piece
Suggested Topics
- Equity and Inclusion
- Mental Health and Wellness
- The Role of AI in Academic and Career Success
- Affordable Housing
- First-Generation Students: Barriers and Opportunities
- Transportation Access
- Food Insecurity and Student Success
- Civic Engagement
- Accessibility and Inclusion for Students With Disabilities
- Climate Change and Local Communities
Contact
Fore more information, contact Professor Luis Botello, Lbotello@montgomerycollege.edu.
More Information
The MC Local News Lab is an innovative Montgomery College program designed to address one of the most important challenges facing communities today: the decline of trusted local news and the rise of misinformation. As local journalism continues to disappear across the country, communities have fewer reliable sources of information about issues that directly affect their daily lives. The MC Local News Lab responds to this challenge by creating a unique learning environment where students become active contributors to their communities while developing valuable academic, professional, and civic skills.
At its core, the lab combines experiential learning, community engagement, media literacy, and emerging technologies to prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving information and workforce landscape. Students work alongside faculty, media professionals, and community organizations to report on issues that matter to Montgomery County residents, including equity, public health, civic engagement, environmental concerns, and social justice. Through hands-on projects, mentorship, and real-world reporting experiences, students learn how to evaluate information critically, communicate effectively, and produce accurate, evidence-based stories.
The initiative directly supports this year's Innovation Grant theme,"Innovating Access: Empowering Every Learner, Enriching Every Pathway," by creating meaningful opportunities for both full-time and part-time students across multiple disciplines.
A key strength of the lab is its commitment to student-centered innovation. Students gain practical experience using digital storytelling tools, media technologies, and fact-based in-depth reporting methods while developing the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate today's complex information environment. Faculty members collaborate through a cross-disciplinary community of practice that promotes innovative teaching methods, curriculum development, and the sharing of educational resources that benefit students across the College and beyond.
The initiative also strongly advances the grant priorities of equity and inclusion. By providing mentorship, networking opportunities, fellowships, leadership experiences, and connections with media professionals, the lab helps remove barriers that often limit student access to career-building opportunities.
Equally important is the lab's emphasis on community engagement and workforce development. Through partnerships with local media organizations, nonprofit institutions, and civic leaders, students gain real-world experience while contributing valuable information to the broader community.
The MC Local News Lab represents an exciting new model for higher education at Montgomery College. By bringing together students, faculty, media professionals, and community partners, the initiative promotes student success, civic engagement, digital literacy, and lifelong learning. It is a college-wide effort to empower learners, strengthen community connections, and prepare students to become informed citizens and leaders in an increasingly complex world.
The MC Local News Lab benefits students by:
- Providing hands-on experiential learning opportunities.
- Developing media literacy, critical thinking, and AI-related competencies.
- Offering mentorship from faculty and industry professionals.
- Expanding career exploration, internships, and professional networking opportunities.
- Building transfer-ready and employment-ready portfolios.
- Strengthening leadership, confidence, and communication skills.
- Advancing equity and access for all students.
- Enabling students to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Ultimately, the MC Local News Lab transforms students from consumers of information into creators, leaders, and engaged citizens who are prepared to thrive in both their careers and their communities.