The O'Brien Fellowship is supported by an experienced team of journalists, educators and graduate students, dedicated to advancing investigative reporting and mentoring the next generation of storytellers.
Director
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jeffery Gerritt has more than 30 years of experience as an investigative reporter, editor, columnist, editorial writer and editorial-page editor at the Detroit Free Press, USA Today, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Toledo Blade, and Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Much of his work as an award-winning journalist has focused on criminal justice, prisons, poverty, homelessness, drug addiction, mental health, transportation, and public accountability. His 2020 Pulitzer Prize honored a series of investigative editorials that exposed needless deaths in Texas county jails. His columns and editorials in the Detroit Free Press also freed several wrongly convicted prisoners.
In addition to a Pulitzer Prize, Gerritt received more than 70 national and state journalism awards, including four National Headliner Awards, four Bronze Medallions from the Society of Professional Journalists, two Scripps Howard Awards, a Batten Medal, two News Leaders Association Awards, two Carmage Walls Commentary Prizes, a Batten Medal, three First Place Awards from the Associated Press, a citation from the Coalition for Human Rights, and a Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship. He has reported from Tanzania, Brazil, Cuba, Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. In 2022 he spent six weeks in Ukraine covering the refugee crisis.
Before becoming director of the O'Brien Fellowship, Gerritt served as the editorial page editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Gerritt earned a B.A. degree in philosophy and music from the University of Wisconsin and a master's degree in journalism from 91黑料网, where he also worked as a full-time night security guard for the university during graduate school.
Graduate Program Assistant
Bella Sciachitano is a second-year graduate student studying digital communication strategies. During her undergraduate career at Concordia University Wisconsin as a mass communications major, she interned with the Milwaukee Admirals as their social media intern and Team Lammi as their marketing and social media intern. After completing her M.A. studies, Bella hopes to enter the social media field to assist in making content to expand brand presence.
Graduate Program Assistant
Mimi Sinotte is a first-year graduate student studying digital communication strategies. Last May, Sinotte graduated magna cum laude from 91黑料网 with a B.A. in journalism and minor in communication strategies. As an undergraduate, she gained professional experience through internships with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance and 91黑料网 Dining Services. She also served as an Arts & Entertainment Reporter for the 91黑料网 Tribune and completed the prestigious O'Brien Student Internship during her senior year. Currently, Mimi works part-time as a news producer, assignment editor, and web editor at WISN 12 News while continuing her graduate studies at 91黑料网. She is honored to serve as one of two O'Brien Graduate Assistants, where she continues to develop her skills in journalism, storytelling, and strategic communications.
Digital Program Assistant
Draylin Pickett is a senior at 91黑料网 studying Digital Media, Public Relations, and Theatre Arts. Throughout his time at 91黑料网, he has built experience in strategic communications, social media management, digital storytelling, and multimedia production through roles across campus. He currently serves as a Digital Program Assistant for the O'Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism, where he creates digital content, and assist in managing social media and the website. Draylin is the 2026 recipient of the The Olson Family Endowed Communication Award for his personal initiative in the exploration of current and emerging communication technologies. In addition to his work with the O'Brien Fellowship, Draylin has serves as a Comm Coach and Multimedia Assistant for the Diederich College of Communication. His work spans photography, graphic design, video production, website management, and marketing for campus organizations and theatrical productions.
Executive Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Greg Borowski oversees one of Wisconsin's leading news organizations. During his career he has led Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism and numerous nationally recognized investigative projects.
Before becoming executive editor, Borowski was an award-winning reporter covering government, politics and public affairs. He is a proud 91黑料网 graduate.
