Santa Clara University has appointed veteran PBS NewsHour correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro as its inaugural Journalist in Residence, bringing his Under-Told Stories Project to the campus.
SANTA CLARA, CA – Santa Clara University is set to welcome the Under-Told Stories Project, a documentary journalism initiative founded by Fred de Sam Lazaro, a veteran correspondent for PBS NewsHour. This transition coincides with de Sam Lazaro’s new role as the university’s inaugural Journalist in Residence, a position he will hold for three years starting September 1.
In addition to his role as Journalist in Residence, de Sam Lazaro will serve as a professor of the practice within the Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences. His appointment aims to enhance the educational experience for students through direct engagement with documentary journalism.
The Under-Told Stories Project focuses on producing documentary reports that address some of the world’s most pressing issues. It also provides educational materials and discussion questions designed for educators. The project’s digital archive boasts over 300 documentary reports and related resources, which de Sam Lazaro plans to integrate into the undergraduate curriculum at Santa Clara University.
Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with de Sam Lazaro through various journalism and digital storytelling classes, workshops, and the university’s journalism program. He will also work closely with the Miller Center for Global Impact, involving students in comprehensive reporting projects that encompass research, pre-production, fieldwork, and project completion.
With a career spanning 40 years and experience reporting from more than 70 countries, de Sam Lazaro has garnered multiple accolades, including CINE Golden Eagle Awards, several Emmy nominations, a Peabody Award, and three honorary doctorates. He has also participated in prestigious fellowships, such as the Kaiser Media Fellowship and the Knight-Wallace Fellowship at the University of Michigan.
De Sam Lazaro has expressed that the Under-Told Stories Project is deeply connected to his professional identity. He emphasized that the initiative aims to raise awareness and understanding of human suffering and poverty while highlighting potential solutions. He noted that the project’s journalistic approach aligns with Santa Clara’s Jesuit commitment to social justice and poverty alleviation, focusing on stories that illuminate human dignity and promote the common good.
“I am thrilled to embed at Santa Clara, work directly with students, and bring under-reported stories to the forefront,” de Sam Lazaro stated.
His work at the university will commence with a series of reports from Southern Africa, where he is scheduled to cover stories in South Africa and Namibia that focus on global health and immigration issues.
Amna Nawaz, co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS NewsHour, has also welcomed de Sam Lazaro’s appointment, highlighting his extensive history of reporting from remote villages and communities that often go unnoticed.
This new chapter at Santa Clara University promises to enrich the academic environment while fostering a deeper understanding of global issues through the lens of documentary journalism.
According to India-West, de Sam Lazaro’s appointment is expected to significantly impact both students and the broader community by emphasizing the importance of under-reported stories.