Three Highlanders Awarded for Excellence in Journalism

Two NJIT undergrads and an alumnus have landed prestigious awards from the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists (NJ-SPJ) for their outstanding contributions to the university’s student newspaper, The Vector.

Albert Dorman Honors students Mrunmayi Joshi ’25, Yukthi Sangoi ’24 and Ethan O'Malley ’23 were announced winners in the NJ-SPJ’s 2023 Excellence in Journalism Contest, which “recognizes the best coverage of the Garden State by outlets in New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia.” Each were feted by the Society during its recent award ceremony in Lyndhurst, N.J.

Joshi, a biology/math double major, Vector managing editor and Governor STEM Scholar, was among the big winners at the ceremony for her reporting on diverse topics that included pollution and Newark's leather industry, Newark Board of Education issues, and tiny homes designed by NJIT architecture students.

Her coverage earned her first place in the competition’s “Amiri Baraka Award for Best Coverage of Cities and Suburbs” category.

“When I started to attend [NJIT], it was really interesting to see how Newark had changed and developed over time,” said Joshi, an Edison native. “It was also really inspiring to me to read about how involved many city residents were in their local government, and writing these articles was a way to highlight Newark's unique past and present stories. I’m very grateful to have received first prize and hope that more people get to learn about this historic and dynamic city!”

Meanwhile, O'Malley, a mathematics major who graduated last May, took home 2nd place in NJ-SPJ’s “Best Continuing Coverage'' for his reporting on NJIT’s involvement in the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge.

“Before writing the article, I only really knew Build Back Better as a slogan … I didn’t know the steps that were being put into place to implement this vision or how the government was determining the worthiness of infrastructure projects,” said O'Malley, a Township of Washington native. “It’s interesting how looking into very local stories about your own school can help you to form a more complete picture of the broader newscape.”

Sangoi, a communication and media major and Vector editor-in-chief since 2022, has witnessed the rise in recognition and awards that have come her paper’s way since she became involved with the publication during her first year.

She’s added to the paper’s prestige with her reporting over the past year on NJIT's newest dorm, Maple Hall, which garnered 2nd prize in the contest’s “news series” category.

“I’ve said this many times, but I don’t think it can ever be overstated — I think seeing writers earn awards is incredible on its own, but knowing that they're coming from a place like NJIT, where journalism isn't the first field that comes to one’s mind, is even more notable,” said Sangoi, who hails from Metuchen, N.J.

“This time the recognition feels particularly special, as it’s from awards that encompass all types of journalism, not just collegiate. This speaks to how well-rounded and earnest fellow contributors at The Vector are, and it’s really their own zeal for covering news that drives them to these defining moments.”