“Sound on the Sound"

“Living Shorelines” May Better Protect Connecticut Beaches From Extreme Weather

Living shorelines are erosion control projects that focus on safeguarding coastal habitats. Ben Crnic '21, a journalism and geoscience double major, explains the living shorelines being constructed at East Shore Park in New Haven and in other coastal areas in Connecticut. Learn about the cost, the policy around living shorelines, the alternatives, the critics and their relationship to climate change. The story features original and handout photos, as well as two original infographics.

This story was produced in Spring 2021 as part of an independent study project under the guidance of UConn Associate Journalism Prof. Marie K. Shanahan and published in July 2021 by The Connecticut Mirror.

“Locked Out: American Dream in Jeopardy"

This documentary film was produced in 2020 by student journalists Alethea Kavarnos, Jacob Rodier, Judah Shingleton, Colm O'Reilly, Meg Williams, Kara Murray, Isaac Bilmes, Sophia Pelletier, Yuanyuan Cao, Daniela Luna, Yuhan Ma, and Jake Roberts. The crew was overseen by Profs. Steven G. Smith and Scott Wallace. The film tells the story of the undocumented immigrant community in Connecticut and the activists who are helping them adjust to life and navigate the legal system to find a path to citizenship.

The documentary won 9th place in the 2020-21 Hearst Journalism Awards, team multimedia category. It was also selected for the 2020 Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival.

“Spirit of the City"

Eight UConn Journalism students studying community news reporting produced this project about New London's diverse faith communities and the extensive outreach and social justice work they perform. The students — Kevin Arnold, Margaret Chafouleas, Olivia Hickey, Allison O'Donnell, Daniela Luna, George Penney, Maxine Philavong and Joseph Villanova— began working in January 2020 with Professor in Residence Gail Braccidiferro MacDonald, a former Day reporter, as well as Prof. Maureen Croteau and editors at The Day

The coronavirus pandemic shut down houses of worship, along with most businesses and schools in March 2020, and severely impacted the students' ability to conduct face-to-face interviews, but they were able to finish these stories under adverse conditions. The stories were published online and in print by The Day in October 2020.

Hearst Journalism Awards: Broadcast Television Features Winner Luke Hajdasz

By a student, for students: A self-care podcast to help now and in the future

In Spring 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted college students' mental and emotional health in ways they never could have imagined. UConn Journalism senior Jamiah Bennett '20 partnered with Associate Prof. Marie K. Shanahan and Assistant Prof. Amanda Crawford, to create a podcast on self-care practices for college students, called “Expect the Unexpected.”

The podcast aimed to help college students process their experiences through conversations, building a community of individuals who can support each other today and in the future. Jamiah's podcast was featured in an 2021 exhibit at the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis.

Joseline: Undocumented

Joseline Tlacomulco is an undocumented student at the University of Connecticut and an activist for immigrant rights. She describes her family’s journey coming to the U.S. and the struggles of growing up as undocumented youth in this multimedia project by UConn Journalism major Neel Razdan '19.

Neel's project placed 18^th in the Hearst Journalism Awards 2018-19 Multimedia One: Narrative Storytelling-Features Competition.