Biography

Dominic McKenzie is a tenure-track assistant professor of digital storytelling in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University. Most recently, he was director of the Journalism program at Oakwood University, an HBCU in Huntsville, Ala. There, he was the chief architect and sole researcher behind their recently launched Bachelor of Science and Arts degrees in Journalism. Prior to that, he worked at Spectrum News as a reporter, covering stories on health, politics, and the Caribbean diaspora. While there, his stories often aired across Spectrum News stations and CNN affiliates across the United States. 

McKenzie holds a Master of Arts degree in Journalism and a Postgraduate Advanced Certificate in Entrepreneurial Journalism from the renowned Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York. He was Class Speaker at his commencement ceremony.

He takes special research interest in journalism curriculum development and assessment, international student populations at historically Black universities, cannabis regulation & research and politics.

McKenzie worked as reporter/show host/producer at NCU 91 FM in his native Jamaica. There, he was the youngest live radio show host in Jamaica at the time, in a prime-time spot. With a love for service to his home, he served as district leader in the USA northeast region of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council and was vice president of communication for the Jamaican American Youth Alliance, a New York City-based organization.

McKenzie served as an adjunct journalism professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Jamaica. He sees this as part of his effort to positively impact the development of the Journalism industry in Jamaica. He also serves as a judge for the Press Association of Jamaica National Journalism Awards.

In 2021, he was named recipient of the Consul General of Jamaica, New York, Heritage Award. The award recognizes the outstanding service of Jamaicans living in the U.S., within their own spheres of influence and the wider Jamaican community. Accompanying this award was a citation from the New York State Senate. In 2020, he was shortlisted for the Prime Minister of Jamaica’s Youth Award for Excellence in Journalism, the highest honor a young Jamaican can receive from the nation’s government.