A Red River College student is the first Manitoba recipient of a broadcasting scholarship that promotes equity in the industry.

Creative Communications student Bailey Hildebrand (shown at left) is one of two recipients of the 2015 Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Prairie Equity Scholarship.

Established in 2009 (but not available outside Alberta until this year), the Equity Scholarship seeks to address a shortage of broadcasters from four under-represented groups: Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and women.

By supporting the career development of individuals from these groups, Pattison believes it can help the broadcasting industry access an untapped pool of potentially talented employees, encourage diverse viewpoints and backgrounds, enhance relationships with local communities, and broaden the advertiser and audience base.

A second-year CreComm student, Hildebrand is already something of an industry veteran, having begun her on-air career while still in high school in Winkler.

In addition to maintaining good grades and honing her self-described “reporter mindset,” she also hosts an iTunes podcast called Be Plus, which deals with body image issues. She says she feels strongly about industry discrimination she’s witnessed — as both an insider and an outsider.

“I want to be one of the women who stands up and stands out,” says Hildebrand. “The industry is still dominated by men — especially in news and talk radio — and my perseverance in my studies and career is one way I can ensure we reach equality between all people in broadcasting.”

Along with SAIT Polytechnic student Sharen Sandhu (the second recipient of this year’s scholarship), Hildebrand has received $2,000 from Pattison to assist her in pursuing her educational and career goals.