TCR Awards
LOGAN, Utah — Erin Cox, Professional Practice Assistant Professor in Utah State University’s Department of Communication and Media, has been named a 2026 Faculty Champion by the Center for Community News. This national initiative supports university-led reporting programs addressing local news gaps.
Cox is one of 150 journalism educators selected from colleges and universities across 41 states and two Canadian provinces for her work expanding student-powered, community reporting and experiential learning opportunities.
The CCN created by the University of Vermont aims to recognize faculty who build sustainable partnerships between universities and local news organizations while preparing students for careers in journalism.
“At the core of these programs are faculty who are deeply committed to student success and to strengthening local news,” said Richard Watts, director of the Center for Community News. “Students gain high-impact professional experience, and communities benefit from more reliable reporting.”
At Utah State, Cox mentors students through first-time courses like Covering the Legislature and Pressroom, which prioritize students' publishing with local news outlets across the state.
“I’m thrilled to join a cohort of storytellers who champion student experiences,” Cox said. “Students are at the heart of all they do, and to provide more professional experience for them on a national scale is exciting.”
Faculty Champions receive a $1,000 award and participate in a yearlong fellowship that includes peer coaching and collaborative cohorts organized by reporting beats, geographic regions and community focus areas.
The program began as an effort to support news-academic partnerships as a response to the growth of news deserts and has since expanded into a national network of journalism educators working to sustain local news ecosystems.
Cox’s selection reflects Utah State’s broader commitment to experiential learning, community engagement and building professional portfolios for students.
