Recent School of Journalism and Strategic Media graduate Rachell Sanchez-Smith can be found these days in Boston City Hall or at the federal courthouse pursuing stories for public radio.

She has started the yearlong WBUR Newsroom Fellowship, a prestigious opportunity that she describes as her dream.

"Rachell beat out hundreds of applicants for one spot. Her selection was not surprising for SJSM faculty who have mentored her since she was a teenage reporter passionate about watchdog journalism," said Gina Holland Shelton, internship coordinator for the School of Journalism and Strategic Media.

Sanchez-Smith spent two years in the Lemke Journalism Project, a media literacy program in the J-School for high school students. The former Rogers High School newspaper editor said she considered going out-of-state for college.

"The training I received in Fayetteville was personalized and set me up for success at a national level. The engagement of my professors has made the difference," she said.

She recently Zoomed with the current group of nearly 60 students in the Lemke Journalism Project. She described her life in reporting, with every day looking different, and encouraged the students to see themselves as truth seekers.

"Rachell's passion for pursuing truth, in a challenging time with misinformation, is inspirational for our college and high school reporters," said Shelton, director of the Lemke Journalism Project.

While on campus, Sanchez-Smith interned and then worked as a paid part-time staff reporter for KUAF, the NPR affiliate for Northwest Arkansas, the Arkansas River Valley, eastern Oklahoma and southwestern Missouri.

"KUAF General Manager Clint Schaff has a vibrant internship program that gives our students critical preparation for journalism careers," said Bret Schulte, director of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media. "Rachell worked with a stellar team at KUAF, and the WBUR opportunity is perfect for her."

At the U of A, Sanchez-Smith helped found a chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, serving as vice president. Last summer, she interned through the Dow Jones News Fund program at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She graduated in December from Fulbright College with a bachelor of arts in journalism-political science.

WBUR's yearlong fellowship "seeks to cultivate the talent and develop the skills of emerging journalists so that they may grow in their careers and become the next generation of reporters and newsroom leaders."

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About the WBUR Newsroom Fellowship: The fellowship provides hands-on training in every aspect of public media journalism. Fellows develop their skills under the guidance of WBUR's editors and producers and have opportunities to work alongside newsroom journalists. Fellows are active members of the WBUR newsroom, involved in the production of news at every level — from morning editorial meetings to field reporting, to story mixing and publishing.

About the School of Journalism and Strategic Media: The School of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Arkansas offers full-time and part-time degree programs for undergraduates as well as a graduate master's degree program. Students in the school major in journalism or advertising and public relations, and they receive instruction, guidance and access to hands-on experience from seasoned, award-winning faculty and staff. The school is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and media literacy. The journalism program was established at the University of Arkansas by Walter J. Lemke in 1930. Visit the school's website for more information.

About the Lemke Journalism Project: The Lemke Journalism Project is an award-winning media training program held annually for high school students interested in multicultural reporting in Northwest Arkansas. Attendees work with faculty in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, local journalists and public relations professionals, and U of A student mentors to produce podcasts, television news roundtables and a newspaper.