Stories We Tell

Applications for the UNCF ESPN Rhoden Fellowship Program are open!

The UNCF ESPN Rhoden Fellowship Program, funded by ESPN, is a yearlong opportunity from June 2025 to May 2027 designed to develop the next generation of journalists from HBCUs.

The program allows selected fellows to gain real-world reporting experience through multimedia storytelling, event coverage and podcast production. Fellows serve as on-campus correspondents for Andscape, ESPN’s Black culture and sports platform, producing content that highlights news and stories across HBCU campuses and national events.

During the fellowship, students will cover major events such as the Big East men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, the Celebration Bowl, the NCAA Final Four and the NFL Draft. Fellows will also produce a biweekly podcast focused on HBCU-related content, entertainment and sports.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be enrolled as a sophomore or junior at an accredited HBCU during the semester prior to the internship and enrolled throughout fall 2026 and spring 2027

• Must be at least 18 years old

• Must not have completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or program

• Must possess unrestricted work authorization

Program Details

• Fellows will work up to 10 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours per week during the summer (June through August)

• Fellows will work remotely from their campuses during the school year and will be based in Bristol, Connecticut, home of ESPN headquarters, during the summer

Applications close Oct. 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

If you are interested, apply through the UNCF site to be considered. For questions or additional information, contact disneyenhancedscholars@uncf.org.