Our Learning+ Writers and Their Stories

In the summer of 2025, we launched Learning+, a three-year program designed to provide intensive training and frequent publishing opportunities in a way that integrates journalism learning, literacy skill-building and workforce readiness development. 

Our goal is to equip writers with the skills and confidence to:

  • Tell their stories compellingly for PJP and other publications. 
  • Be strong candidates for selective higher education or leadership opportunities. 
  • Successfully return to their communities and be full participants in our democracy. 

Writers are invited to join the program based on factors such as their responsiveness to editing as well as their commitment and dedication to learning and publishing. We also consider PJP’s strategic priorities. 

The progression 

PJP’s Learning+ program is a sequential curriculum that unfolds over three years.

  • Year One: Reporters
    • Focus on observations, interviews, reporting tools and making evidence-based claims through four learning assignments to build skills and four editorial assignments for possible publication. 
  • Year Two: Associate Reporters
    • Build their fact-checking skills, write op-eds, understand inclusivity and bias in their reporting, and practice writing journalistic stories in multiple genres through four learning assignments to build skills and four editorial assignments for possible publication. 
  • Year Three: Senior Reporters
    • Polish their skills and learn how to work as a freelancer through a publication-based practicum and a professional edit-coaching process.  
  • Professional Community: Correspondents 
    • Upon completion of Learning+, writers are invited to continue pitching their stories to PJP and other outlets for publication as Correspondents. 

    In the inaugural year of the program, our 29 most frequently published writers joined Learning + as senior reporters. As part of PJP’s commitment to prioritize programs for women, 19 women joined as reporters. 

    New writers who want to join the Learning+ program can start working with PJP through any of our entry points. After completing at least one entry point, writers may be invited to deeper engagement with PJP and then into Learning+. 

    Check out our Contributors page for a list of our current Learning+ writers.