Santa Clara University has been selected as the new institutional home for the Under-Told Stories Project, a renowned documentary journalism initiative founded by veteran PBS NewsHour correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro.
Academic Appointment and Curriculum Integration:
Effective September 1, de Sam Lazaro assumes a three-year appointment as the university’s inaugural Journalist in Residence and joins the Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences as a professor of the practice. In his new role, he will collaborate closely with faculty to integrate materials from the project’s digital archive which houses over 300 documentary reports and educational resources—directly into the undergraduate curriculum.
Student Opportunities and Fieldwork Collaboration:
The partnership provides students with hands-on experiential learning opportunities through specialized digital storytelling classes, workshops, and journalism programs. Furthermore, de Sam Lazaro will collaborate with the Miller Center for Global Impact, engaging students across all phases of reporting projects, from preliminary research and pre-production through international fieldwork and final completion.
Professional Background and Alignment with Jesuit Mission:
With a distinguished 40-year career spanning reporting assignments in more than over 70 countries, de Sam Lazaro has earned numerous accolades, including multiple CINE Golden Eagle Awards, Emmy nominations, a Peabody Award, three honorary doctorates, and fellowships at the University of Michigan.
The Under-Told Stories Project focuses on elevating global issues involving human suffering, poverty, and potential solutions, aligning closely with Santa Clara’s institutional commitment to Jesuit values of social justice, human dignity, and the common good. Reflecting on the transition, de Sam Lazaro expressed enthusiasm for mentoring students and bringing marginalized narratives to broader public attention.
Upcoming Reporting Initiatives:
De Sam Lazaro’s inaugural assignments at the university will feature a forthcoming reporting series from Southern Africa, where he is scheduled to cover critical global health and immigration stories in South Africa and Namibia. PBS NewsHour co-anchor and co-managing editor Amna Nawaz praised the appointment, highlighting de Sam Lazaro’s enduring dedication to chronicling remote and overlooked communities.
Santa Clara University, Fred de Sam Lazaro, Under-Told Stories Project, PBS NewsHour, journalism education, Miller Center for Global Impact, documentary journalism, Jesuit education
