NEW ORLEANS (February 21, 2022) – Two Dillard students, who walked away with half of the first four National Geographic Media Scholarships, are headed to the company’s headquarters sometime this spring for a two-week immersion program along with $10,000 each.

Seniors Sherice “Philly” Campbell, a film major from Philadelphia, and Walter Dixson IV, a theater performance major from New Orleans, are the Dillard recipients. They will join a student from Savannah State University, Garrett Guillard, a junior in marine science, and one from Howard University, Tori Pearson, a freshman in television and film.

The scholarships, announced in December, were created specifically for HBCU students to support black storytellers.

Kathiana Lejeune, coordinator of content planning and operations, said a date has not been set because of the pandemic and its employees working from home. A Zoom meeting was held Feb. 11 so recipients could meet their assigned mentors. Workshops aligned to the students’ interests also are planned.

The National Geographic scholarship program generally considers U.S and Canadian students whose parents’ combined income is less than $50,000.

Both students said they’ve visited Washington before, but they’re excited for the opportunity to hone their skills and network.

Dixson, 22, said he plans to attend UNO after graduation to pursue a master’s in fine arts; he would like to become a voice actor. 

Campbell, 44, plans to study abroad before pursuing her dream of becoming a television star.     

(Mahri Hatcher contributed to this report.)