Our Vision
The Hispanic Media Initiative (HMI) is a program in the Department of Communication at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) focusing on the advancement of Hispanic media education, journalism, and research. HMI is the response to the successful creation of UTA News en Español in 2010, a Spanish-language television newscast produced by undergraduate students, recognized by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), engaged in unique on-air broadcast journalism partnerships with Univision and Telemundo, invested in Hispanic media research and publications, and enjoying a healthy 100% graduation rate.
HMI approaches its mission by continuing to partner with private enterprise, producing multiplatform journalism content, researching and publishing Hispanic media studies, developing collaborative spaces connecting academic institutions, and creating unique opportunities for students interested in pursuing a career in specialized journalism targeted to Hispanic demographics.
HMI has four pillar projects: Hispanic Media AudioVisual, Hispanic Media Partnerships, Hispanic Media Research, and Hispanic Media Initiative Alumni. Each project plays a key role in the sustainability and development of HMI by supporting specialized functions and providing a space for collaborative work related to HMI’s strategic goals of national and international impact.
Julian Rodriguez
Faculty Advisor—Hispanic Media Initiative
Department of Communication
University of Texas at Arlington
Our Pillars
Alejandro Jimenez directing Proyecto U at Univision 23. Dallas, TX
The Hispanic Media Audiovisual program immerses students in the production of broadcast news. Gaining hands-on experience both in front of and behind the camera, students have the opportunity to work with A/V equipment found in most professional broadcast stations and use industry best practices to produce UTA News En Español (UTANE). UTANE is consistently recognized as making leading, inclusive media broadcast and reaching universities across the country and more than 40,000 regional households.
Encouraging research at the undergraduate level, the Hispanic Media Research pillar fosters an environment of inquiry and sharpens students' ability to pursue journalistic research. All members in this group develop specific research projects by drawing on current quantitative data and literature to study and offer solutions for real-world problems revolving around multicultural journalism. The end goal of each research project is publication. Past projects have included themes involving Spanish-language media training, journalist job satisfaction, and the Colombian Freedom of Information Act.
Students gain invaluable access to resources and experiences through the Hispanic Media Partnership. A network of industry-leading media outlets, professional organizations, and other academic institutions, the Hispanic Media Partnership allows students to see real-life applications of the theories and practices they learn in the classroom. Relationships with companies and organizations such as Ford Motor Company, Broadcast Education Association, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Ross Video, Univision, and Telemundo give students a chance to develop highly desirable professional skills that make them very competitive when entering the workforce.
HMI has an impressive 100% graduation rate, with alumni successfully positioning themselves as media professionals in markets across the country. The Hispanic Media Alumni Pillar creates networking opportunities between HMI participants, both past and present, and industry representatives to facilitate the hiring process and to expose students to industry expectations for incoming professionals.
