About

Local Network

We're working with newsrooms across the country to improve local coverage of higher education.

In most major American cities, no reporter is dedicated to covering higher education. We’re working to change that.

We partner with newsrooms across the country to add a reporter focused on in-depth coverage of colleges for their community. The Open Campus reporter is employed by the local newsroom and supported by our national team of subject-matter experts, including editors who provide essential story coaching, editing, and coverage planning.

Our Local Network continues to grow; we work with partner newsrooms across America. As of August 2026 that includes: Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, Berkeleyside, Bridge Michigan, CalMatters, Centro de Periodismo Investigativo in Puerto Rico, Chalkbeat Colorado, Charlottesville Tomorrow in Virginia, The City Reporter in New York City, El Paso Matters, Fort Worth Report, MinnPost, Mirror Indy, Mississippi Today, NC Local, Pittsburgh’s Public Source, San Antonio Report, Signal Ohio, The Texas Tribune, WBEZ Chicago, Wisconsin Watch, and WUNC in North Carolina.

How it works

  • The Open Campus reporter is employed by the local newsroom as a full-time reporter on higher education. Some of our partners work with us through our Community College Project and focus specifically on reporting about the role of those campuses in the future of their communities.
  • We help cover the salary of the Open Campus reporter, working with local newsrooms to seek support from local foundations and donors to cover a portion of the cost.
  • Our national subject-matter experts provide editorial guidance and training, including an annual in-person Local Network summit.
  • Open Campus reporters are connected with one another, creating a second team of colleagues around the beat.
  • Stories are published by the local newsroom and by Open Campus. We partner with other national publications to publish stories with broad significance.

Interested in learning more?

Please get in touch. Here’s information about how to become a partner newsroom. Or send us a note: info@opencampusmedia.org.