Canella Honored for Expanding Student-Led Local Reporting

In an era of shrinking newsroom staffs, Emerson College Journalism Associate Professor Gino Canella sees an opportunity to strengthen community news through student reporting partnerships that benefit both aspiring journalists and the communities they serve.

His goal is to expand structured, hands-on internships that embed Emerson students in local publications, where they can report, write, and publish meaningful stories while supporting outlets operating with limited resources.

In recognition of his efforts, Canella has been honored as a 2026 Faculty Champion by the Center for Community News (CCN) at the University of Vermont. He is one of 150 national journalism leaders from 41 states selected for starting or expanding university-led reporting programs in their region and their contribution to a national movement.

The Faculty Champion program is part of CCN’s national effort to address the decline of local news by equipping journalism educators with the tools and networks to expand student reporting initiatives. Canella said he and colleagues in Emerson’s journalism department have long discussed this issue.

“We have really talented, eager students who want hands-on, real-world experience,” Canella said. “Community-based news outlets allow students to do the full range of reporting, interviewing, researching, writing, and publishing stories, in a way that larger outlets often can’t offer interns.”

Canella said a key long-term goal is to secure stable funding. He also hopes to establish course partnerships with local publications and involve students in conferences, workshops, and collaborative events connected to the Center for Community News.

Emerson’s Hyperlocal News initiative, successfully launched last summer by the Journalism Department, reflects a similar approach.

“My idea is to see how I can use the connections and the network that I’m developing through this Center for Community News champions program to build on the early success that we’ve seen with the hyperlocal news internship program,” Canella said. 

As a Faculty Champion, Canella will receive a $1,000 reward, peer support, and coaching throughout the year. Canella recently participated in a regional meeting with six other faculty members from other Massachusetts colleges and universities. 

“I have an opportunity to meet with and have conversations with practitioners, journalists, scholars, all around the country, and think about what’s working, and what people are trying to address,” he said.

CCN Director Richard Watts said the Faculty Champions program is an opportunity to recognize and thank the faculty who are committed to expanding opportunities for future journalists.

“At the core of all of these university-led student reporting programs are innovative and entrepreneurial faculty committed to student success,” said Watts. “These programs are a win-win for everyone: students receive high-impact experiences and communities benefit from more reliable news.”