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Scripps College of Communication
Schoonover Center
1 Ohio University
Athens OH 45701-2979
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Fellowships

Knight Fellowship in Visual Communication

The Knight Fellowship is an extraordinary opportunity for a mid-career professional to earn a masters degree from the School of Visual Communication at Ohio University. Residing in Athens, Ohio, and attending Ohio University for one academic year (fall and spring semesters), the selected Fellow will receive the following:

  • Full-tuition support, as well as a generous stipend (approximately $25,000) provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
  • The opportunity to work with VisCom and Ohio University faculty members in their academic field, which includes working on a Masters Project of their choice.
  • The opportunity to engage with award-winning VisCom students through teaching and mentorship. The successful applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree and substantial professional experience.

Questions? Please contact Graduate Director Stan Alost, alost@ohio.edu.

Deadline to apply

For the 2022-2023 Fellowship, the deadline to apply is February 1, or until filled. Inquiries are welcome and encouraged.

The application process

  • Be sure to clearly state that you are applying for the Knight Fellowship in your cover letter/statement of purpose.
  • Complete the online application through the Graduate College at Ohio University. When filling out the online application, please select Master’s of Photography (MA6926) as the program of study. Visual Communication Management falls under this degree title.
  • Submit the following in your online application document:
    1. A cover letter which answers the following questions (each answer should be 500 words or less): What do you hope to gain from graduate school? How do you hope to engage with students and take part in the university community?
    2. A resume and a link to a portfolio (please include the URL).
    3. Your OU application, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and, if applicable, TOEFL score.

Past recipients (and their pre-fellowship employment)

Jeannie Adams-Smith, The Chicago Tribune; Stan Alost, The St. Petersburg Times; David Ahntholz, The Springfield Register; Cynthia Christie, Contra Costa Times; Pat Davison, The Rocky Mountain News; Jim Gensheimer, The San Jose Mercury News; Kathleen Hennessy, Picture Editor, Clinton White House; Lynn Johnson, Freelancer, National Geographic; John Kaplan, Freelancer; Janet Knott, The Boston Globe; Mark Mirko, The Hartford Courant; Annie O’Neill, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Peggy Peattie, The State (newspaper) in South Carolina; Bruce Strong, The Orange County Register; Tim Goheen, Knight Ridder Tribune Graphics; Bob Sacha, Freelancer, National Geographic; Jennifer Poggi, Picture Editor, U.S. News and World Report; Charlie Zimkus, Staff Artist, Columbus Dispatch; Sue Morrow, Presentation Director/News & Sports, The Sacramento Bee; Karen Kasmauski, Freelancer, National Geographic; Matt Moyer, Freelancer, National Geographic; Lila Garnett, Consultant, National Audubon Society; Jan Sonnenmair, Freelancer; Adonis Durado, Designer, Muscat Media Group (publisher of Times of Oman and Al Shabiba); Tom Burton, Editor, NPPA Magazine; Molly Roberts, Picture Editor, National Geographic; and Matt Gade, photojournalist, Mitchell Republic.

The Enlight Fellowship

The School of Visual Communication offers a fellowship for graduate students from China (including the PRC, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Tibet Autonomous Region, and Taiwan). This generous fellowship is provided by The Enlight Foundation, a California nonprofit directed by Ohio University alumna Xin Liu and her husband Yong Ping Duan.

The Enlight Fellowship includes a $12,000 stipend plus a full-tuition waiver for fall and spring semesters for the duration of study; summer tuition waivers may also be available. Enlight Fellows may also apply for up to $3,000 additional support for research and instructional expenses after enrolling. Fellows have no work responsibilities within the School associated with the Enlight Fellowship, but may also receive up to $2,100 in additional support for assuming minor duties in the School.

Questions? Please contact Graduate Director Stan Alost, alost@ohio.edu.

Deadline to apply

February 1