Renewing our commitment to education coverage
Dear Citizen reader,
We know that education coverage matters to you, because we’ve asked and you’ve told us repeatedly.
It’s why two years ago we applied (and were thrilled to be accepted) to a groundbreaking program called Report for America, through which we hired a full-time education reporter. Her work during her one year with us demonstrated what is possible when local journalism works to address the needs of the community it serves.
Today, we’re thrilled today to share some exciting news:
We’ve hired a new education reporter through our partnership with Report for America.
Her name is Liana Hardy, and she will join us beginning July 10 to renew our consistent focus on a topic that matters so much to so many of you. Liana is a Northern Virginia native who is graduating next month from Georgetown University, where she has spent four years working in a variety of capacities for the university’s student newspaper, The Hoya.
In her application, Liana wrote “I love that Report for America allows emerging journalists the opportunity to report on underreported communities for local papers that are doing work that is so integral to American journalism. Some of the best stories I’ve read are locally-focused stories that investigate issues in a smaller community that reflect larger national or broader human problems.”
We can’t wait for Liana to begin reporting on the education stories that matter to you and to this community. Her reporting will extend beyond reactive coverage of school board decisions – into in-depth, proactive reporting through which she will connect with citizens, explore hyperlocal communities and tell the true stories of education in Henrico. She’ll explore programs, profile students and address topics of economic, geographic and racial equity.
We expect Liana’s work to shine a light on the successes, challenges, failures and opportunities of education in Henrico County, empowering this community to play a more active role in the future of education here.
But we need your help to make this work possible. For every $2 we receive in support of Liana’s work, Report for America will provide a $1 match. Can we count on your tax-deductible support?
Yours in community,
Tom Lappas, publisher
