The Texas Tribune is excited to announce the arrival of a distinguished group of college students who will be joining its fellowship program this spring. This initiative provides students with a unique opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting while addressing real-world challenges within the journalism industry. Their innovative viewpoints are essential to the Tribune’s ongoing evolution in the realm of digital journalism.
Apurva Mahajan, a data visualization fellow and a senior at the University of Maryland studying journalism and political science, highlighted the Tribune’s commitment to accessible news and open governance. “The Tribune’s focus on news applications excites me, as it demonstrates a digital-first approach that aligns with my values,” Mahajan stated. He aims to leverage data and graphics to enhance news accessibility, creating tools and applications that allow readers to engage with stories in a meaningful way.
The fellowship program at the Tribune offers paid positions to college students, enabling them to make significant contributions across various departments. These fellows are involved in key events, such as the Texas Tribune Festival, and provide comprehensive coverage on crucial topics including legislative sessions, elections, education, and environmental issues. They collaborate closely with the award-winning staff to help shape the future of journalism.
Riddhi Bora, an audience engagement fellow and junior at the University of Texas at Austin, acknowledged the current challenges facing journalism, such as artificial intelligence and public distrust. “Despite these obstacles, I believe journalism has the power to change lives. It motivates me to pursue a career in this field, as I know how impactful it can be,” Bora remarked.
Emily Chen, an engineering fellow and master’s student in computer science at the University of Michigan, expressed her drive to create technology that serves her community. “I understand how transformative knowledge can be, and I am dedicated to developing tools that spread awareness and provide accurate information,” Chen said.
Video Engagement Fellow Kimberly Olivas, a senior at Texas State University, is enthusiastic about helping the Tribune connect with new audiences. “As a bilingual multimedia journalist, I take joy in enabling people to share their stories through various mediums, and I aim to create inclusive narratives that emphasize the connective power of journalism,” Olivas explained.
The fellowship program offers valuable learning experiences with part-time roles during the spring and fall semesters and full-time positions in the summer. Students can seek experience in various fields, including audience engagement, data visualization, engineering, events, marketing and communications, nonprofit development, photography, product design, graphic design, and reporting.
The Tribune’s fellowship program is made possible through the generous contributions of donors. Special thanks are extended to organizations such as the Dallas Press Club Foundation and Sid W. Richardson Foundation, along with individuals like Martin Taylor and Cheryl and Jim George, whose support has created named fellowships and broadened opportunities for aspiring journalists.
Welcoming the spring 2026 fellows, Fernando Alvarez Gonzalez, a graphic designer from Austin studying government, international relations, and global studies at the University of Texas at Austin, brings a diverse background and a passion for storytelling through design. Riddhi Bora, based in Austin, is committed to audience engagement and has a rich history of writing and editing in various capacities.
Olivia Borgula, a reporting fellow from Washington, D.C., covers the Texas congressional delegation while studying journalism and information science at the University of Maryland. Zahiyah Carter, a senior at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, is focused on communications and has previously interned with several media outlets.
Emily Chen, in addition to her engineering fellowship, has gained experience in software development and multimedia journalism. Reporting fellow Aidan Johnstone, originally from Florida, has a strong background in international affairs and business policy reporting. Grace Lehrmann, specializing in marketing and communications, has hands-on experience in the Texas Senate.
Apurva Mahajan continues to lead in data journalism, having served as editor-in-chief of The Diamondback and working with investigative journalism organizations. Kimberly Olivas is dedicated to video engagement and storytelling, while Manoo Sirivelu, a photography fellow, explores themes of identity and community through his multimedia work.
The Texas Tribune remains committed to transparency in journalism, partnering with initiatives like The Trust Project to enhance accountability in news reporting.
