I have an announcement to make: I will be leaving CUNY’s Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the end of this term. While technically I am retiring, those who know me know that I will never truly retire. I am currently exploring my options for what to do next and I am open to new opportunities. I will share more about that in the future, but for now, I want to take a moment to reflect and celebrate my time at the school.
Eighteen years ago, in 2005, I was the first professor hired at our new school. The New York Times was skeptical, stating that for some traditional journalists, blogging was the worst thing to happen to the industry since journalism school. Despite this, our dean, Stephen B. Shepard, took a chance on me and named me the director of the new-media program and associate professor.
On my first day, after attending a faculty meeting, I almost quit. I had suggested that faculty needed to learn new tools for online and digital journalism, and some of my colleagues were not happy with my suggestion. However, after some reflection, I decided to stay and continue my work at the school.
I am grateful to Steve and Associate Dean Judith Watson for their support and for giving me the opportunity to teach the entrepreneurial journalism program, which has since evolved into the nation’s first Advanced Certificate and M.A. in Entrepreneurial Journalism. I am also thankful to my colleague Jeremy Caplan for his generosity and for running the program brilliantly.
During my time at the school, I have also had the privilege of starting three master’s degrees. While I may feel like a “fake academic,” I am proud of the impact I have had on our students and the field of journalism.
I am also grateful to our next dean, Sarah Bartlett, for involving me in her strategy for growth and for the opportunity to work together. This week, I am teaching the fourth cohort in our News Innovation and Leadership executive program, which I had long seen the need for. I am proud of the program and the impact it has on the industry.
I want to thank Anita Zielina for her phenomenal work in building the program and for being a valuable colleague. I am confident that she will continue to make a positive impact in the field of journalism.
As I move on to new endeavors, I am grateful for the support and opportunities I have had at CUNY’s Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and I am excited to see what the future holds for the school.