The College of Communication & Information Sciences (C&IS) at The University of Alabama announces that Chandra Clark, Ph.D., associate professor of journalism and creative media, has been selected as one of 150 journalism leaders for the Center for Community News (CCN) at the University of Vermont’s 2026 class of Faculty Champions. The designation recognizes leadership in building news-academic partnerships and contributions to a national movement of student-powered community reporting.
“I’m honored for the recognition from CCN. It also comes with a lot of responsibility to strive daily to be a champion for local journalists and encourage them to gather and share stories in a way that helps the audience learn something new about what’s happening in our communities,” said Dr. Chandra Clark. “Stories are now shared on multiple platforms but they are still about the people, our government, and the problems which need solutions. I enjoy helping young and experienced journalists research sources and content to share engaging stories that represent sources objectively, honestly, and fairly.”
As part of CCN’s expanded Faculty Champions program, participants will work in dedicated cohorts organized around beats, communities, and geographic regions. Each cohort will be led by program alumni with subject-matter expertise.
“At the core of all of these university-led student reporting programs are innovative and entrepreneurial faculty committed to student success,” said CCN Director Richard Watts. “These programs are a win-win for everyone: students gain high-impact experiences, and communities benefit from more reliable news. This program is a chance to thank the faculty who make it all possible.”
Dr. Clark is deeply committed to learning-in-action and community-engaged media. She collaborates with state and community leaders, emergency agencies, nonprofits, and businesses across Central Alabama to help organizations build credible, effective multimedia presences.
Through hands-on projects, Dr. Clark and her students have supported more than 60 clients in strengthening their messaging and connecting with audiences through traditional visual and social media. Her work bridges professional media practice and public service, demonstrating the real-world impact of strategic storytelling.In the classroom, Dr. Clark emphasizes experiential learning that mirrors professional media environments, encouraging students to take ownership of their work, build technical and strategic skills, and understand the responsibility that comes with representing communities and organizations.
