The Journalism Education Foundation of New England (JEFNE), a division of the New England Newspaper & Press Association, has awarded four $2,500 scholarships to aspiring journalists pursuing careers in the profession. The scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to journalism and will help support their college education as they prepare for careers in the field.
Each year, the Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors and college students from across New England who are studying and gaining work experience to prepare for careers in journalism. Through these scholarships, JEFNE strives to support and encourage the next generation of journalists.
The recipients of the 2026 Journalism Education Foundation of New England Scholarships are:
- Melvin Sanchez – University of Hartford
- Mikayla Bunnell – University of Connecticut
- Harshitha Kothapalli – New York University
- Sanya Nadeem – Brown University (MacGregor Fiske Scholarship recipient)
Each scholarship recipient shared what the award means to them and how it will help them pursue their journalism education:
Melvin Sanchez, attending the University of Hartford
“Receiving this scholarship brings me one step closer to earning my degree in Digital Media and Journalism at the University of Hartford. It will help ease the financial burden of college, allowing me to focus more on developing my skills, gaining hands-on experience, and creating meaningful stories that positively impact my community. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the investment in my future.”
Mikayla Bunnell, attending the University of Connecticut
“This scholarship will allow me to focus less on working and worrying about how to pay for my senior year of college, and more on producing quality journalism for my school newspaper and yearbook. I’ll be able to spend more time searching for and writing good stories to build my portfolio, and I’ll have more time to get even more involved in the UConn journalism community during my final year. I’m so grateful for this award!”
Harshitha Kothapalli, attending New York University
“Next year I will be attending New York University studying Journalism and this scholarship will help allow me to continue my academic career, grow my skills, and broaden my opportunities. I am beyond grateful for JEFNE and the work that they do!”
Sanya Nadeem, attending Brown University (MacGregor Fiske Scholarship recipient)
“Receiving the MacGregor Fiske Scholarship is an incredible honor and encouragement as I prepare to study at Brown University. Throughout high school, I have learned firsthand how thoughtful reporting can uncover overlooked stories, elevate underrepresented perspectives, and strengthen civic engagement. This scholarship will allow me to continue developing my journalism skills in college and deepen my commitment to using storytelling to draw attention to issues that matter and serve the common good. I am so grateful to JEFNE and NENPA for their investment in student journalists and aspiring storytellers!”
The MacGregor Fiske Scholarship honors the late Mac Fiske, a fourth-generation newspaperman who died in 2009 at the age of 75.
About the Journalism Education Foundation of New England
The Journalism Education Foundation of New England encourages and supports high school seniors and college students throughout the six-state region who aspire to pursue careers in journalism.
The JEFNE scholarship is available to New England residents who are high school seniors planning to attend college or current college students studying journalism or a related field.
Member newspapers of the New England Newspaper & Press Association help support the scholarship program by promoting it to readers in their communities.
For more information about the Journalism Education Foundation of New England scholarship program, please contact Linda Conway at l.conway@nenpa.com