CCN Faculty Champions are leaders who want to create or grow a news/academic partnership, helping college students cover local communities.
The program supports academic leaders through a $1,000 monetary award and one year of coaching and mentoring. It also connects them to other leaders in this growing field.
This year, we are especially interested in supporting new Champions – leaders who want to start a new program or make an emerging one stronger and more sustainable.
Our goal: To help create and/or grow 100 news/academic partnerships by identifying 100 champions and supporting them through one year of coaching, mentoring and networking.
2025 CCN Champions
Meet the 63 CCN Champions, who are growing university-led reporting programs in their region. This year’s cohort includes faculty, public media professionals and news leaders from institutions large and small.
2025 CCN Champions Press Release (PDF) Stories of Impact Past Faculty Champions
2023 Statehouse Faculty Champions
Statehouse Faculty Champions are leading student reporting programs that focus on state governance, legislation, and politics. Currently, there are 19 Statehouse Faculty Champions. The honor is a priority program in our efforts to help build a sustainable future for local news around the country.
Statehouse Faculty Champion Profiles Why Statehouse Reporting Matters Press Release (PDF)
Faculty Fellows
Faculty Fellows collaborate with CCN staff to lead national initiatives that support university-led student reporting programs. Fellows serve one-year terms and receive a stipend for their leadership. To apply to be a Fellow contact Richard Watts (rwatts@uvm.edu).
Faculty Fellows Profiles