The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center received 18 awards Saturday at the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters’ 2026 Excellence in Broadcasting Awards, including nine first-place honors across student and professional divisions.
The annual competition recognizes broadcast and digital journalism work from television and radio organizations, journalism programs and professional journalists across Mississippi.
The center’s awards spanned general news, continuing coverage, feature storytelling, investigative reporting, public affairs programming, social media and achievement categories.
“What makes this recognition even more meaningful is that all of the work submitted was produced in 2025, the center’s very first year of operation,” said Nichole Cyprian, the director of the center. “It is a strong reflection of what our students have been able to accomplish in a short amount of time and the impact their reporting is having across southeast Mississippi. We are incredibly grateful for the university’s support and for the continued investment from the Scripps Howard Foundation. This kind of work truly would not be possible without that belief in what we are building.”
The student division brought two first-place wins for the center.
Ashlyn Joyner, senior reporter, and Sameen Chand, photographer/videographer, won first place in Visual — Feature Story for “Southern Turnings carves out a place in Wiggins’ revival.”
Kristen Kaylor, senior reporter, and Nischit Sharma, photographer/videographer, won first place in Visual — News Story for “Mississippi blueberry farmers look to future generations to join the industry.”
“It really means a lot to have professionals recognize and appreciate our work and the impact we’re trying to make in the community,” Sharma said. “We do this because we love it, but that kind of validation is encouraging and reminds us that what we’re doing can make a difference.”
In the professional division, the center earned first-place awards in several major categories.
“Policing the Pascagoula” won first place in Achievement — Non-Commercial TV for Justin Glowacki, staff reporter, Nischit Sharma, photographer/videographer, and Alexa Hatten, Southeast Mississippi Planner producer.
“Mississippi Oyster Leasing” won first place in Continuing Coverage for Glowacki, McKenna Klamm, photographer/videographer, and Michelle Pinto, Southeast Mississippi Planner reporter.
“Bill of Health” won first place in Documentary or Series of Stories for Morgan Gill, staff reporter, and RHCJC News Staff.
The center also won first place in Feature Story for “‘I got my life back’: Mississippi man uses brain implant to regain independence,” produced by Glowacki, Sami Jordan, junior reporter, Nischit Sharma, photographer/videographer, and Whitney Argenbright, managing editor.
“It was such a joy to be recognized for our work that we have completed this year. I’m so proud of our team,” Jordan said.
Additional first-place honors came in General News, Investigative News and Public Affairs Program.
“‘It changed my life’: Music student’s hearing loss spotlights coverage gap in Mississippi” won first place in General News for Glowacki, Jordan, Klamm and Pinto.
“What’s in Your Tap?” won first place in Investigative News for RHCJC News Staff.
The center’s “Matter of Fact” podcast, produced and hosted by Hilawe Tibebe with RHCJC Staff, won first place in Public Affairs Program.
The center also received second-place awards for “Poplarville Waits for Post Office,” “Mississippi Seafood Labeling,” “Lumberton students create mural to honor late teachers, strengthen community art efforts,” “Richton splash pad delayed to 2026, town plans daily fee,” “Contract standoff sends Lucedale inmates to other counties” and its Instagram account, @rhcjcnews.
Additional recognition included third-place honors for “Lack of legal venues leaves racers and cities at odds” and “Policing the Pascagoula” in Investigative News, along with an honorable mention for “Permanent Skateparks? Coast skaters say it’s time.”
“Being in the room with professional journalists was incredibly validating,” Jaydon Koss said. “It made the experience all the more rewarding.”
“We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for this recognition,” Whitney Argenbright, managing editor of the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center, said. “These awards reflect the strong reporting, visual storytelling and public service journalism our team has worked to build in a short amount of time. It is especially meaningful to see student work recognized alongside professional work at the statewide level.”
