Telemundo Puerto Rico expands training program for Journalist Students

The Telemundo Station Group, part of NBCUniversal Local – a division that includes 43 NBC/Telemundo stations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico – is expanding its preparation program for journalism college students by adding Universidad del Sagrado Corazon as a new program partner.  The Station Group also announced the rebranding of its program from Telemundo University to Telemundo Local Academy.  The new partnership announcement was made today at Telemundo Puerto Rico’s facility by Dialma Santiago, VP of News for Telemundo Puerto Rico (WKAQ-TV) and Gilberto Marxuach Torrós, President of La Universidad del Sagrado Corazon.

Telemundo Local Academy’s roster of university partners also includes University of Florida and University of Texas at Arlington. Since the program was introduced in 2017, more than 40 journalism students have participated and over 50% of program graduates have obtained journalism jobs at NBC/Telemundo stations.

“Telemundo Local Academy was launched to help fill the need we saw for experienced bilingual journalism professionals. It is vital that the next generation of journalists is ready to meet the needs of our diverse communities,” added Ozzie Martinez, Senior Vice President of Digital, News and Standards at Telemundo Station Group. “We are all very excited to work with the faculty and administrators at La Universidad del Sagrado Corazon to make our training program available to Puerto Rican journalism students.”  

“This alliance between Telemundo Puerto Rico and La Universidad del Sagrado Corazon will be of great benefit to our students at the Ferre Rangel School of Communications, as it will transform them into more complete communicators, fluent in both English and Spanish,” added Marxuach Torrós. “Thus, they will have all the tools needed to succeed in this ever-changing and competitive industry. Telemundo Local Academy will serve a great advantage to the Sagrado students, as it will prepare them for future recruitment into this prestigious media enterprise. This program opens doors to a new world for our students; the world of Telemundo.”

Telemundo Local Academy’s program features four study tracks: digital media, multimedia journalism, writing/producing and on-air presentation/career development. Throughout the year, students receive in-person training sessions from journalists and leaders who are working at NBC and Telemundo stations. Students that successfully complete the Telemundo Local Academy program can apply and be considered for full-time and/or part-time positions at any NBC/Telemundo stations in Puerto Rico and the U.S., as well as NBC and Telemundo news networks.

“Telemundo Local Academy is an exceptional program that will make it possible for college students here in the island to get the one-on-one training they need to kick-start their careers,” said Santiago. “All of us at Telemundo Puerto Rico are excited to meet Telemundo Local Academy’s class of 2022 and to give them everything they need to help them fulfill their full professional potential.”

Applications for Telemundo Local Academy are accepted by the participating University partners on a rolling basis. All applications are reviewed by a selection committee that includes participating college professors and NBC/Telemundo station newsroom professionals. In the coming weeks, La Universidad del Sagrado Corazon will provide its journalism students with more details about the application and selection process.