Established in 2020, the Richard and Leslie Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media develops students to become leaders in their professions by offering access to a diverse group of experts and practitioners through a speaker series, and by supporting outside learning opportunities such as professional immersion experiences, conference participation, and internships. The Frank Center also enhances opportunities for the College of Media to engage with the public on pressing issues.
A portion of the Franks’ gift was used to create a state-of-the-art broadcast facility within Richmond Studio in 2023, including the Frank Newsroom (pictured at right). Additionally, their gift created two classrooms in Gregory Hall to accommodate the use of new technologies and to offer space for media editing and production.
Learn more about Rich and Leslie Frank and their historic $7.5 million gift to the College of Media.
Calendar
Frank Center Q&As
The Frank Center has hosted many media industry leaders for hour-long Q&As about current events, including Chris Cillizza, Chuck Todd, Michael Steele, Kara Swisher, Brian Williams, and Steve Kornacki, among others.
Watch playlistFrank Center Student Workshop Snapshots
Watch a video tour of the Frank Newsroom
Contact Us
Sign up to receive email announcements about upcoming Frank Center events.
For more information about the Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media, please contact Colleen King, director and clinical assistant professor of journalism, at cck@illinois.edu.
About the Franks
Rich Frank, former president of Disney Studios, and Leslie (Miller) Frank, an Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist, both now vintners and hospitality leaders in Napa Valley, wanted to make an investment in the University of Illinois that would have an impact for generations.
“We are encouraged our contribution will help create the highest level of learning for the next generation of journalists and that we are able to play a part in elevating the stature of the program at Illinois, making it a top destination for students and faculty,” said Rich and Leslie Frank.
Hear an interview with the Franks on Illinois Public Media’s The 21st Show, aired October 13, 2022.
Richard and Leslie Frank also spoke with the student-produced broadcast UI7 Live in advance of the panel “Reporting on Politics and Elections in 2022.” Watch the segment:
Past Frank Center Events
Fall 2025
- September 16: Frank Center Q&A with NBC Nightly News Director Christian Alicea
- October 9: Lunch and Learn with FOX Sports’ Gus Johnson
- October 10: Frank Center Student Workshop: Sports Reporting with David Campbell
- October 16: Frank Center Student Workshop: Investigative Reporting & Editing with Cheryl Whitlow Thompson
- October 20: Frank Center Student Workshop: Investigative Journalism with María Inés Zamudio
- October 23: Frank Center Q&A with NBCUniversal’s Todd Mokhtari
- November 6: Frank Center Student Workshop: The Art of Newsgathering with Betsy Korona
- November 11: Q&A with NBC’s Eric Lerner
- December 2: Frank Center Q&A with Chris Cillizza: Reporting on Politics & Independent Journalism | See photos | Watch the video
Spring 2025
- February 5-6: UI7 Auditions
- March 7: Frank Center Student Workshop: Meet Gilbert Bailon, Executive Editor of WBEZ
- March 31: Frank Center Student Workshop: Producing Taped Packages with CBS Sunday Morning Producers
- April 1: Frank Center Presents: Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink with Director Rick Goldsmith
- April 16: Frank Center Student Workshop: Learn AI and Digital Reporting Tools with Mike Reilley
- April 17: Media Student Wellness Event: Tips to Tackle Stress & Burnout
- April 22: Media Student Wellness Event: Breath Workshop
Fall 2024
- September 3: UI7 & Illinois Student Newsroom Open House
- September 12: Meet the Fighting Illini Productions Team
- September 23: Frank Center Student Workshop: Meet Sports Director Bret Beherns
- September 24: Frank Center Student Workshop: Election Night Planning Meeting
- October 17: Frank Center Student Workshop: Meet The Middle’s Jeremy Hobson
- October 22: Frank Center Student Workshop: Covering Champaign-Urbana & the University
- November 4: Frank Center Student Workshop: Learn Make-Up Tips for On-Air Reporting
- November 15: Q&A Breathing Exercise with James Nestor
- December 3: Q&A with Chuck Todd of NBC News | See photos | Watch the video
Spring 2024
- Frank Center Student Workshop: Field Camera
- Frank Center Student Workshop: Level Up Your Interviews
- Frank Center Student Workshop: Meet News Anchor Robert Holguin
- Frank Center Student Workshop: Meet Sports Anchor Cassie Carlson
- Q&A with Michael Steele | Watch video
Fall 2023
- A Conversation with Brian Williams • See photos • Watch video
- Frank Center Student Workshop: Broadcast Writing
- Q&A with Kara Swisher • Watch video
Spring 2023
- Frank Center Student Workshop: Generating Story Ideas
- Frank Center Student Workshop: Teleprompter Reading
- Q&A with Sports Writer and Novelist Will Leitch | Watch video
- Q&A with NBC News and MSNBC National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki | Watch video
- Frank Center Student Workshop: Seth Fein & Smile Politely
- Frank Center Student Workshop: Reporting on Chicago
Fall 2022
- Frank Center Student Workshop: Teleprompter Reading
- Q&A with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Alum Eli Murray | Watch video
- Reporting on Politics and Elections in 2022 | See photos | Watch video
- Q&A with Washington Post Chief Correspondent Dan Balz on the Georgia Senate Runoff | Watch video