AP’s Nashville Bureau, part of AP's Mid-South Region, now housed at University's Curb College
Belmont University and The Associated Press (AP) are partnering to move AP’s Nashville office on campus, connecting professional journalism with academic excellence.
The collaboration establishes a dedicated AP office within Belmont University's Johnson Center, which houses the journalism and media departments of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. The AP has operated a bureau in Nashville for at least a century in a variety of locations before this latest move to Belmont.
"This collaboration creates a dynamic environment where professional journalism and education converge,” said Brittany Schaffer, dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. “By embedding an AP bureau within our College, we're building a bridge between classroom and newsroom, positioning both Belmont and the AP at the forefront of journalism education while contributing to Nashville's growing role in the national media landscape."
The initial phase of the partnership includes dedicated workspace for up to eight AP journalists, featuring both collaborative and private office spaces. As the relationship develops, both organizations anticipate exploring additional opportunities for educational collaboration, including workshops, guest lectures and special events that bring together students, faculty and AP journalists.
“This partnership brings together two of the most influential institutions in my life,” said Michelle Williams, a Belmont alum who recently ended a 35-year career with AP. “I am grateful to Belmont for opening its doors not only to provide a place for AP staff to work but also to create an environment where we can learn from each other and build relationships that can help nurture career paths for the next generation of storytellers.”
Williams is a 1989 graduate of Belmont's first journalism cohort and worked in multiple cities and roles with the AP before retiring in September. Williams will join Belmont's journalism program as an adjunct professor, bringing her extensive AP experience back to where her career began.
"Integrating AP journalists and esteemed alumni into our academic community unlocks endless possibilities for collaboration," said Dr. Jennifer Duck, assistant professor of journalism and executive director of Story Studio at Belmont University. "This partnership, while preserving the AP's editorial independence, paves the way for innovative educational initiatives that will benefit both our campus and the broader community."
The bureau space is open, with additional collaborative initiatives to be announced throughout the spring 2025 semester.
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