The Center for Community News at the University of Vermont has named Dr. Erin Kim-Cho, Department Chair and Assistant Professor Communication and Media Practice at Grand View University, as one of 150 journalism leaders from colleges and universities across the country selected for the organization’s 2026 class of Faculty Champions. Honorees are recognized for their efforts to launch or expand university-led reporting programs in their regions and for their contributions to a national movement of student-powered community reporting.
“At the core of all university-led student reporting programs are innovative and entrepreneurial faculty committed to student success,” said Richard Watts, director of the Center for Community News. “These programs are a win-win for everyone: students receive high-impact learning experiences, and communities benefit from more reliable local news. This program is a chance to say thank you to the faculty who make it all possible.”
The 2026 Faculty Champions represent 41 states and two Canadian provinces. They come from 15 community colleges, 41 Minority-Serving Institutions, four Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 30 Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and seven public media outlets. In total, 35 private institutions and 113 public institutions are represented.
Each Faculty Champion will receive a $1,000 award, along with peer support and coaching throughout the year. As part of the Center for Community News’ expanded Champions program, participants will work in dedicated cohorts organized around beats, communities, and geographic regions. The cohorts will be led by program alumni with expertise in each focus area.
The Center for Community News at the University of Vermont is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to growing and strengthening university-led reporting programs across the country to help create a more sustainable future for local news outlets and the communities they serve. The organization works with a network of more than 4,000 faculty and news leaders and is the only organization focused exclusively on expanding the field of student-powered community reporting.
To learn more about the Faculty Champions program and how universities are helping engage the next generation of journalists and civic leaders, visit https://www.uvm.edu/ccn.