Scholars Spotlight
AMC Scholars are RMU scholarship recipients who want to share with you their experiences!
The purpose of the Media Innovation Scholarship is to support and nurture emerging talent to utilize media across diverse applications and careers by providing them with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Program experiences include a combination of training, mentorship, networking, and funding to help participants develop their skills, build their networks, and launch their careers, all while elevating and fostering access for other students who will follow in their footsteps.
The ultimate goal of a media scholarship program is to help create a pipeline of diverse, talented individuals who are prepared to take on leadership roles in the media and related industries and drive innovation and growth. By providing support and resources to emerging talent, these programs can help ensure that the media in Pittsburgh and beyond remains vibrant, dynamic, and increasingly inclusive.
Check out their stories below!
Malena Kaniuff
- Art, News, and Sports Scholar
- News and Sports Communication, 2025
“It was a great experience to be able to work with everyone from RMU. It gave me opportunities I didn’t know were possible. I highly recommend applying!”
As an AMC Scholar at RMU, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate closely with faculty members on meaningful projects that helped shape my academic and professional journey. Through this experience, I became involved with managing social media for the Academic Media Center, which not only sharpened my digital communication skills but also helped me build valuable connections with professionals in the social media field. One of the most exciting moments was live covering the RMU D1 Club Hockey Ronald McDonald House fundraiser — a special event made even more memorable by the attendance of Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin.
Payton Hostetler
- Film and Television Scholar
- Cinema & Photography 2027
“My experience working on Fedelta: Soldiers. Prisoners. was a defining moment in my growth as a Cinema & Photography student—one that wouldn’t have been possible without the Academic Media Center.”
The skills I gained in RMU’s production courses gave me the foundation I needed, but it was the AMC that helped shape those skills into something real. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and connections to faculty who recognized and encouraged my potential, I was invited to join an international team documenting powerful human stories. As head editor and cinematographer, I applied everything I’d learned—story structure, camera work, post production—on a global scale. It was a chance to test my craft in the field, grow as a collaborator, and experience firsthand the impact storytelling can have across cultures.