The Center for Community News at the University of Vermont has named Associate Professor and Digital Media and Journalism Director Deepa Fadnis a Faculty Champion for 2026, recognizing her leadership in expanding University-led, student-powered community journalism.
This fall, Fadnis launched Reporting Hartford, a student-led digital newsroom in the School of Communication that produces high-quality, non-partisan, public-interest journalism focused on Greater Hartford and surrounding areas.
Faculty Champions are selected from colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada for their work building impactful local reporting programs. Each honoree receives a $1,000 award, peer support, and coaching throughout the year. Champions will work in dedicated cohorts that are organized around beats, communities, and geographic regions. The cohorts will be led by program alums with expertise in their focus area.