NBCUniversal Gifts TV Studio Equipment to Support Columbia College Chicago Journalism Students

PhotoDr. Shantay N. Bolton, President and CEO of Columbia College Chicago, visits with Kevin Cross ’91, President and General Manager of NBCUniversal in Chicago.
Columbia students will work with some exciting new studio equipment this upcoming fall, making their hands-on learning experience even more expansive.

NBCUniversal is making a transformative gift in professional television studio equipment to Columbia College Chicago, marking a significant investment in the future of broadcast journalism and media education. 

The donation includes industry-standard cameras, lighting systems, and production consoles that will power major upgrades to Columbia’s media production studios within the School of Communication and Culture and the School of Film and Television. Installation of the equipment will begin this summer, with students gaining full access in fall 2026. 

This upgrade represents more than a facilities improvement for Columbia students. The donation is a direct bridge between classroom learning and the fast-evolving demands of the media industry. By training on the same equipment used in professional newsrooms and studios, Columbia students will develop the technical fluency and creative confidence needed to succeed in broadcast journalism, television production, and digital media careers. The donation comes to Columbia after NBC 5 Chicago and Telemundo Chicago have completed a major remodel of the workspaces at NBC Tower.   

The initiative was led by Kevin Cross ’91, President and General Manager of NBCUniversal in Chicago and a proud Columbia alumnus. A graduate of the college’s television production program, Cross partnered with Columbia’s School of Film and Television to bring this vision to life. 

“This is a full circle moment for me as an alum to be in a position to contribute to the college," says Cross. “This investment ensures students are not only learning theory, but actively building the hands-on skills that today’s media landscape demands.” 

College leadership emphasized that the enhanced studio environment will expand opportunities for experiential learning, collaborative projects, and career readiness. School of Communication and Culture Director Ames Hawkins shared their excitement for the donation. 

"This donation benefits all the students who take our Chicago Media Lab and Columbia TV classes, which are open to majors across the college," says Hawkins. "Our students will benefit from immersive, real-time production experiences that mirror professional newsroom settings—an advantage that positions them competitively in a rapidly changing media industry."

With this gift, NBCUniversal reinforces its commitment to cultivating diverse talent pipelines and supporting educational institutions that prepare students for impactful careers in storytelling, journalism, and media production. 

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