Jackson State University senior Malik Alexander spent his summer immersed in one of the world’s most diverse journalism programs, serving as a Program Counselor at The School of The New York Times’ NYC Summer Academy. The Dallas native was instrumental in guiding a globally diverse cohort of high school students through an intense two-week journalism and cultural exploration experience.
“This opportunity was life-changing,” Alexander shared. “Being able to mentor students from around the world and see their passion for journalism grow in just two weeks was powerful. I was learning just as much from them as they were from me.”
Alexander was part of the team supervising high school students aged 14 to 18 from the U.S. and various countries, including Canada, China, Japan, and Australia. The Summer Academy hosts approximately 2,000 students across four terms from June to August. As a Senior Program Counselor (SPC), Alexander and his team were responsible for the comprehensive student experience—from safety and evening wellness checks to coordinating cultural day trips throughout the “Big Apple.”
“We were essentially the students’ go-to support system. We weren’t just chaperones, we were mentors, older siblings and friends. The job was equal parts guidance, discipline and fun,” Alexander explained.
The program also featured mentorship from award-winning journalists at The New York Times, including the “Fuddle Journalism Challenge,” where students competed to create original journalistic content across the city. The top project was even selected to appear in an actual issue of the newspaper.
The experience proved invaluable for Alexander’s professional trajectory. “I’m grateful for what this internship gave me—not just professional experience, but also personal growth. I feel more prepared than ever to enter the world of sports journalism and media.”
Alexander’s impact on the program was noted by Zakiya Matory, Assistant Dean of Students for The School of the New York Times. Matory praised Alexander’s “charisma” and energy: “Malik is very charismatic. He is adaptable and worked well with everyone in the school… He was always volunteering to do extra things to help out.”
Matory added that the role requires responsibility, strong communication, interpersonal skills, and leadership—qualities Alexander exhibited “and more.”
A Journalism and Media Studies major with a concentration in Sports Media, Alexander plans to leverage the mentorship and organizational skills he honed in New York toward a future career in sports broadcasting or production. His summer experience demonstrates FSU’s commitment to ensuring its students gain professional expertise on a global stage.
