KSMQ Public Television Producer Annie Krenik is one of only 15 media professionals nationwide selected to participate in the 2020 PBS Digital Immersion Scholarship Program.

Digital Immersion was created by PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to help stations improve their digital efforts, while offering an opportunity for station staff to connect to a greater community of public media professionals.

Digital Immersion is a professional development opportunity for PBS station personnel that mixes in-depth virtual training, immersive experiences, hands-on workshops and collaborative mentorship to improve overall expertise in digital strategies and tactics.

The 10-month professional development experience focuses on developing strategic and organizational tactics, with the selected participants being able to draw on the project’s teachings and a national network of public media contacts to further digital success at their station and at the local level.

“I’m honored to have been selected to take part in this national program,” Krenik said through a press release. “And I’m equally grateful to KSMQ for giving me the opportunity to participate in Digital Immersion.”

A native of rural Mankato, Krenik is a graduate of Minnesota State University – Mankato and holds a degree in film and media studies. As part of her academic work while at MSU, Krenik completed an internship at KSMQ during the 2018 school year and joined the television station fulltime in 2019.

All program applications were reviewed by a panel comprised of PBS and station colleagues, bringing multiple perspectives and levels of experience to the judging process. The response to Digital Immersion continues to be extraordinary with more than 50 individuals applying from stations across the system.

“We are excited to kick off the 2020 year of Digital Immersion with such a determined, well- rounded group of public media professionals,” said Paula A. Kerger, PBS President and CEO.

The scholarship program provides funding for 15 digital professionals from PBS member stations. The selected participants will establish a digital goal for their station and for the duration of the program will engage in a multifaceted training program from January through October. Participants will attend three in-person workshops beginning this month in South Carolina. All costs will be covered by PBS.