The Hechinger Report is a nonprofit news outlet that covers education across the United States. We’re a small newsroom with big ambitions to cover the most pressing issues facing classrooms and campuses. Our journalists travel across the country and the world asking tough questions, seeking out promising solutions, and listening to the voices of educators, families and kids. Here are the opportunities to join us in our mission.

Openings

Higher Education Reporter

The Hechinger Report, the award-winning nonprofit news outlet  focused on inequality and innovation in education, seeks a Higher Education Reporter to cover national higher education issues. The reporter will write in-depth stories that appear on Hechinger’s website and with our many partner publications, including The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and NPR.

The Higher Education Reporter will work closely with the Senior Editor for Higher Education and other members of the newsroom to help shape coverage priorities, develop ambitious story ideas, and identify opportunities to expand the reach and impact of Hechinger’s higher education journalism. 

The Higher Education Reporter will develop deep expertise on the higher education beat, identify emerging trends and report on issues including inequality, college affordability and access. The incumbent will produce stories that combine on-the-ground reporting from campuses and training programs with research, analysis, expert perspectives and compelling examples of people affected. The position requires an understanding of how politics, policy choices and economic forces affect colleges and universities and influence young people’s paths after high school. It also requires sophisticated knowledge of the players, networks, critics and innovators in higher education, and the ability to work with major news outlets throughout the U.S.

Hechinger is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Building a diverse and inclusive newsroom is integral to Hechinger’s mission. Just as we seek to elevate diverse perspectives through our journalism, we also strive to ensure that the writers and editors telling those stories come from diverse backgrounds. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Report and write enterprise stories on higher education for the Hechinger Report and  partner publications, with a focus on ideas and angles that have not been covered elsewhere 
  • Identify emerging trends, underreported issues, and distinctive angles that advance public understanding of higher education 
  • Conduct on-the-ground reporting and incorporate data, research, policy analysis, public records, expert perspectives, and individual experiences into compelling journalism for general audiences 
  • Write our biweekly higher education newsletter
  • Develop, cultivate and maintain sources on the higher education beat 
  • Represent The Hechinger Report at conferences and participate in media interviews and panel discussions
  • Collaborate with the Audience and Engagement team to build readership and expand the reach of Hechinger stories, including by producing vertical videos, writing special newsletters, and more 
  • Other duties as assigned 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 4+ years of reporting experience, including for national outlets
  • Bachelor’s degree in journalism, or a related field, or equivalent experience and training
  • Excellent news judgment and ability to identify important stories and emerging trends
  • Strong writing skills and ability to produce compelling, in-depth features for a general audience
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple assignments and collaborate with team members 
  • Experience with data and accountability reporting and an interest in developing investigative and narrative reporting skills 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Experience covering higher education 
  • Strong data and investigative reporting skills
  • At least six years of reporting experience, including for national outlets 
  • Experience appearing in broadcast media: media training a plus
  • Experience building and engaging a dedicated audience through newsletters, social media or other platforms

BENEFITS:

This position will pay $80,000 a year. Because Hechinger is an independent unit of Teachers College, Columbia University, this position also receives the College’s Full-Time Professional Benefits, which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, a 403(b) tax-advantaged retirement investment plan, and tuition remission for employees and eligible dependents. 

RESTRICTIONS:

The Hechinger Report’s office is located in New York City. This role may be remote. 

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive newsroom. Just as we seek to elevate diverse perspectives through our journalism, we also strive to ensure that the writers and editors telling those stories come from diverse backgrounds. Candidates who do not meet every qualification but believe their skills and experience would allow them to succeed in the role are encouraged to apply and share what they would bring to the newsroom. 

We will be posting the application in the next few days, and you can sign up to be notified when it is available. We plan to fill the position by February 1, 2027.

The Hechinger Report is always in search of new writers. Learn more about freelancing for us.