Our Student Journalists

The Next Generation Radio project is a full-scale, digital-first multimedia training project with emphasis on “radio storytelling.” We are committed to the professional development of undergraduate and graduate students who are focused on journalism. The program is a series of week-long student training projects, designed to give students who are interested in radio and journalism the skills and opportunity to report and produce their own radio story. If you are interested in working with the program, inquire through @NextGenRadio. This #nextgenradio project is created in partnership with Capital Public Radio, Sacramento State University.

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Elizabeth Castillo

Chico State

Elizabeth Castillo was in elementary school when a teacher recommended her for a magnet school and she was bussed across town to attend. Her classmates went on to attend prestigious universities, such as Harvard, and she attended Boston University immediately after high school. She was naïve and quickly ran out of money. After four semesters, she ended enrollment despite doing well academically. Starting over, she worked two part-time jobs in her hometown and took the bus. She saved for a car and went to community college. That’s where she began to thrive as a journalist.

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A week filled with twists, turns and scares

Oct 20, 2017

The real work on this Next Generation Radio project began on day two. It turned out to be full of very helpful lessons. As I worked to find my source, the hours were passing and many of the phone calls were unsuccessful. No callbacks, tons of voicemails, leads falling...

Nour Coudsi

UC Berkeley

Nour Coudsi was born and raised in Damascus, Syria. After the Syrian uprising she moved to San Francisco and attended UC Berkeley. She recently graduated with a BA in media studies and a minor journalism. During college, she worked with refugee communities across Turkey, Lebanon, London and Greece. Working with refugees taught her about the power of storytelling and inspired her to become a storyteller. She aims to focus on long-form stories that are able to bridge the gaps between the East and the West and generate empathy and understanding.

From Listening to Audio Pieces, to Producing One!

Oct 20, 2017

I started the Next Generation Radio program four days ago without any experience in audio production. Today, I can say that I have a much better idea on how a radio piece is constructed, mixed together, edited and re-edited. I can also say that I have experience in...

Hilda Flores

Cal State Stanislaus

Hilda Flores is a Latina, a daughter of two immigrants and part of her family’s first-generation to attend college. She recently graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Stanislaus and with a bachelor’s in communication studies, minoring in journalism. During college, she held multiple jobs as she attended school full-time. “In the current political climate I found it incredibly important for myself and those around me to disprove any negative stereotypes anyone may have about the Latino community.”

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Hilda’s Blog: A sneak peek inside the hectic NextGen week

Oct 20, 2017

Going into NPR's Next Generation project I knew it would be difficult, but I don't think I was prepared for all the work we ended up doing in a mere 5 days. After finishing the week, I feel really proud of all the work I was able to complete in such a short time....

Isabella Lord

UC Davis

Isabella Lord double-majored in english and political science at UC Davis, from San Jose, Calif., She is one of the most outgoing people you will ever meet and channels her energy into theater, mock trial and anything that allows her to perform and express herself. “I cannot stand being idle in a world so full of people to meet and problems to fix. I love introducing myself to strangers and getting them to open up. I always have something to say, and can, admittedly, be a little stubborn.”

How My Views Changed On California’s Homeless

Nov 13, 2017

I grew up in a quiet neighborhood in the Silicon Valley, my house was right by a park that I loved, but my parents forbade me from playing in the creek, because of the “hobos.”

David Rodriguez

San Francisco State

David Rodriguez is a first-generation college student doing his best to make it as a journalist. His parents are Mexican immigrants, so he carries the pride and burden of working toward success. Immigration stories directly affect his home, family and friends. “My parents don’t really understand what I want to do for a career. But they’re still super supportive anyway. To be where I am, to meet great people who are willing to help a guy who messes up a lot, I feel lucky.”

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Plan C: The Delta

Oct 20, 2017

When all else fails and knocking on doors and taking names actually works. Never in my reporting experience have I driven an hour away from the “newsroom” hoping to find a story. That’s exactly what my mentor, a NextGen audio engineer, the NextGen digital designer,...

Laura Tsutsui

Fresno State

A fourth-generation Japanese American and a native of Fresno, Calif., Laura Tsutsui graduated from California State University, Fresno with opportunities and experiences that she hopes will shape her career. She was an intern for California State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin De Leon in Sacramento and for Congressman Sam Farr in Washington, D.C. Both experiences motivated her to learn about how legislation affects the Central Valley. She wants to be a reporter to inform others and to tell stories that illustrate the forces shaping someone’s world.

How To Be A Real Reporter: Do Everything, But Not At Once

Oct 20, 2017

A reflection by Laura Tsutsui about learning how to collect multiple elements as a reporter, and being intentional in the process.

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