Two Mercer University journalism graduates, Amélie Horace and Megan Jackson, have started their professional careers through placements in local newsrooms as part of the Report for America program. Both alumnae graduated in May and are the first from Mercer to be selected as corps members for this national initiative. The program aims to develop early-career journalists while helping partner news organizations cover topics and communities that often receive less attention.
Horace and Jackson were chosen from a pool of more than 1,300 applicants, joining 107 new members serving in 101 newsrooms across the United States. Corps members commit to at least two years at their assigned news outlets, with an option for a third year. Many go on to secure full-time positions after completing the program.
Horace, who is from Decatur, previously served as campus news editor for The Cluster during her time at Mercer. She also gained experience working with several media organizations including The Macon Newsroom, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Macon Magazine, Macon Arts Alliance, and 13WMAZ. Her interest in audio journalism developed while working on a podcast project with a faculty member.
“I went to Mercer because of its journalism program,” Horace said. “College is crazy, but the one thing that was consistent was I loved the journalism program. I felt so well-rounded and informed when I graduated.”
This summer, Horace began work as a producer and engagement reporter at WUSF in Tampa, Florida through Report for America. Her role involves interacting with people in the community and taking on various assignments.
“The thing that really excited me about it was it wasn’t a specific beat,” she said. “It was covering local journalism for a large city. I wanted to work in a big city and not be resigned to working on a certain topic.”
She works on “Florida Matters: Live and Local,” which is expanding from weekly broadcasts to daily shows starting September 29. Horace has been responsible for booking guests and may produce pre-recorded segments going forward.
“We’re doing a lot of new things,” she said. “We’re going to take calls. The goal is to be engaging and interactive, so people who listen to the show are hearing their voices.”
Jackson grew up in Villa Rica and held internships with The (Macon) Telegraph and Georgia Public Broadcasting while at Mercer. She also worked on podcasts with professors and served as editor-in-chief of The Cluster student newspaper.
“A great thing about our journalism program is we have so many community partners. There are so many opportunities for people to really experience what a career in journalism is going to look like,” she said. “I’m thankful that I got to go to Mercer because I probably wouldn’t have applied for Report for America if it hadn’t been for people in our journalism program pushing me.”
In July, Jackson joined the Marietta Daily Journal where she primarily covers local government but also reports on crime and community events as needed.
“Report for America, their mission is something that I really do believe in. They aim to strengthen communities through local journalism by placing journalists in local news,” she said.
Jackson described being part of Report for America as an honor: “I think I have a lot to learn, but through all of the experience, I think I am going to leave this program a very good journalist,” she said. “I am passionate about local journalism, so I hope to form a niche in local communities and local reporting wherever I go.”
The Report for America initiative provides participants access to industry mentors along with continuing education workshops and networking opportunities among corps members.
“It’s been such a good experience,” Horace added regarding her involvement both at her station and within Report for America itself: “One of the good things about doing this with the station and also with Report for America is I have such a good support system and people to lean on.”
