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Charles Center Journalism Programs
We support undergraduates' interest in journalism through a range of practical, hands-on learning opportunities, including courses and masterclasses, conversations with visiting journalists, and summer internships.
Sharp Journalism Seminar
The Sharp Seminar, established with a generous gift from Anne and Barry Sharp, provides William & Mary undergraduates with the opportunity to turn a topic of deep personal interest into a publishable article for nonspecialist readers.
Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, the seminar will be a 3-credit course taught in the spring semester by the Sharp Writer-in-Residence.
As part of the course, students have the opportunity to travel domestically during the semester as part of their research and reporting.
Journalism Internships
Aspiring undergraduate journalists at W&M now have an additional avenue to hone their craft – a new summer internship program with mentorship from award-winning reporters and editors from the Daily Press, Virginian-Pilot, and other outlets belonging to Norfolk-based Virginia Media, Inc.
In Summer ’26, students will receive $5,000 toward 10-week Journalism & Democracy Fellowship Internships with Virginia Media, placing students in local newsrooms between Williamsburg and Virginia Beach. Interns will have opportunities to gain skills in reporting, audience engagement, and/or videography/photography.
Journalism Masterclasses
The Charles Center periodically hosts masterclasses in journalism, in partnership with the Pulitzer Center, Virginia Media, and other media organizations to connect the campus community with W&M alumni and other expert practitioners in the field.
Read here about last year's masterclass series, made possible by the generous support of the Daily Press, Inc. Journalist-in-Residence Program.
Graduate Study Support
The Sizemore Fellowship for Graduate Study in Journalism was created through the generosity of Mason and Connie Sizemore to assist in the costs associated with graduate school.
Applicants must be graduating seniors enrolled in a graduate school of journalism in the fall immediately after graduation. We award a Sizemore Fellowship of up to $35,000 each spring.
Past Sizemore Fellowship recipients include Jeff Dooley '09 (Washington Post) and Shannon Kingston '13 (ABC News).
