Allison Dubrow ’24 comes from a family with deep roots in Brooklyn College; her grandfather, father, mother, sister, aunt, and two cousins all attended. She says her grandfather stoked her growing interest in journalism, which began in middle school.

“He would pick me up from school and make me do my homework right away,” says Dubrow. “Then I had the rest of the night to relax.” One day, he asked if Dubrow would watch the news with him. “I remember thinking, oh, that’s so boring. But I said yes. I watched it every day with him after that.” Dubrow joined the newspaper in middle school and high school.

Dubrow is now enrolled in a new program called 4+1 that allows CUNY students to complete an M.A. in journalism in one year after earning a bachelor’s degree. To accomplish this, students take 12 credits of coursework at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY in their senior year. After graduating, they fully enroll in what she more informally calls the “J School.”

Given her family background, choosing Brooklyn College was almost inevitable for Dubrow, as was a major in journalism and media studies. In one class, she was assigned a beat—politics in Brooklyn—reporting on the local scene. Her experience in the course led to a minor in political science. Forming invaluable mentorship relationships with her professor underpinned Dubrow’s experience as an undergraduate.

“I learned so much from Professor [and Television, Radio and Emerging Media Department Chair] MJ Robinson, who I have stayed in touch with, and Professor Victoria Manna, whose Videography for Journalists class reinforced my decision to go into broadcast journalism.” Dubrow says that the faculty at Brooklyn College are always willing to share their experiences. “Their encouragement has been pivotal,” she says. “It made me believe in my ability to make a difference through journalism.”

Dubrow enrolled in the 4+1 program to obtain her master’s degree sooner than later. “I knew I wanted to go beyond a bachelor’s degree, especially with education being so important in my family,” she says. But I think if I had taken time off, I’m not sure how fast I would have returned.

Because the year at the graduate school is accelerated, Dubrow says that classes operate at a more intense pace, giving students a greater sense of what it is like to work as a professional. The professors are working journalists, and many encourage their students to get their work published on the school’s website, New York City News Service.

“The fieldwork—TV News I and Advanced TV News—was exciting, and you learn so much so quickly,” says Dubrow. After lectures and writing assignments, grad students pitch a story with a partner, go out and shoot and produce on deadline. “It sounded scary at first to do all of that in such a short period, but this is what I want to do,” she says.

Dubrow, who played tennis for Brooklyn College as an undergraduate and still enjoys getting on the court on occasion, says that the political science courses she took taught her that people have the power to change things, but that they need to be made aware so they can get involved.

“I feel incredibly prepared to make an impact in this industry and make my grandfather and family proud.” She has some advice for fellow students in the 4+1 program: “Stay calm,” she says. I started stressing a little bit, wondering if I would be able to handle the workload. Trust the education you got at Brooklyn College. The J School will build on that and make it even better. It’s worth it.”