Maryland Public Television to Participate in BSU’s Philanthropy Fellowship Program

University Receives Grant to Support MPT Fellows

 

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – Maryland Public Television (MPT) will provide a $125,000 grant to Bowie State to support a student’s participation in the university’s Philanthropy Fellowship program beginning fall semester 2023. This is the first time that MPT has sponsored a philanthropy fellow from an HBCU.

“We consider BSU home,” said Travis Mitchell, senior vice president and chief content officer at MPT. “We’re particularly excited about the Philanthropy Fellowship program and the opportunity it gives us to be a part of training the next level of philanthropic and non-profit leaders. We’re looking forward to working with the fellow and sharing the world of philanthropy in public media.”

Currently there are four Bowie State students participating in the philanthropy fellowship program available to students and recent graduates of the master’s degree program in public administration. Current fellows are Stephanie Spencer, a recent MPA graduate and Jakeya Johnson, a current MPA student, are serving their fellowships at the Tides Foundation; Markell Smith, an MPA student, is at the Annie Casey Foundation; and Darren Willis, an MPA student is with the Association of Black Foundation Executives. 

Joy Moore, a member of the MPT Board of Directors, and the Board of Advisors overseeing the Fellowship, gives the new partnership high marks.

“MPT is very excited to be participating in BSU’s Philanthropy Fellowship program particularly since the organization will have the opportunity to work with high caliber students,” Moore said. “Maryland is a majority-minority state, and we’ve got to have more input from people of color. This is a positive step in addressing the problem of filling the pipeline and finding qualified African Americans to assume leadership roles in philanthropy.”

Bowie State launched its Philanthropy Fellowship program in May. Fellows are required to maintain a six-credit course load throughout the fellowship year and are teamed with a C-suite executive with the sponsoring organization to maximize the students’ experience.

“BSU is all about experiential learning, and MPT represents a premier location for philanthropic professional development,” said Dr. Lawrence McNeil, dean of the College of Business. “By giving students exposure to public broadcasting through the fellowship program, they’ll be prepared to assume full-time positions in a sector that needs more people of color.”

“The Fellowship Program helps us to execute our mission which is to enrich the lives and strengthen communities through the power of the media,” said Mitchell.

Dr. James Hyman, assistant professor in the College of Business department of management, marketing, and public administration, is the coordinator of Bowie State’s Philanthropy Fellowship Program. “Our fellows initiative is envisioned as a component of a larger academic program in philanthropy and non-profit management at the university,” said Dr. Hyman. “We welcome MPT as one of our new hosting partners.”

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.