My career merges practical experience in investigative journalism and news technology with my current role as an academic leader in journalism education. Currently serving as a Professor of Practice in Journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, my teaching encompasses a range of contemporary skills, including data journalism, sports data analysis and visualization, reporting, and various technology-related courses that explore the applications of drones and artificial intelligence within the field.
Biography
Early Career
Before transitioning to academia, I spent nearly 15 years in daily newspapers in both Arkansas and Florida. My tenure at the Tampa Bay Times in Florida included awards for a co-authored series of stories that meticulously examined and exposed the state and federal efforts to protect wetlands. This work was later expanded into the book, “Paving Paradise: Florida’s Vanishing Wetlands and the Failure of No Net Loss,” published in 2009.
PolitiFact
A pivotal moment in my career occurred in 2007 when I took on the role of principal developer for PolitiFact.com. This project showcased my ability to blend journalistic insight with technical proficiency. In a landmark achievement for digital journalism, PolitiFact.com became the first website to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 2009, specifically for national reporting.
Transition to Academia
In 2011, I joined the faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications. This transition provided me with an opportunity to share my knowledge and practical experience with aspiring journalists. As a Professor of Practice, my teaching portfolio encompasses a range of courses that reflect the evolving skills and technologies crucial for modern journalism.
The Drone Journalism Lab
I founded the Drone Journalism Lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, recognizing the potential of drone technology for newsgathering colliding with federal regulations and journalistic ethics. The lab’s primary mission revolved around exploring the use of drones in news reporting and providing students with comprehensive training on how to operate these devices responsibly and ethically. During the lab’s time, students actively utilized drones to cover news events across six countries on three continents.
Experience
- Professor of Practice, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2011-Present)
- Co-founder, Hot Type Consulting (2009-2021)
- Senior News Technologist, St. Petersburg Times (2006-2011)
- Staff Writer, St. Petersburg Times (2000-2006)
- Staff Writer, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (1998-2000)
Education
- MS, Business Analytics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2020
- BA, Journalism, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1997
Skills
- Data Analysis & Visualization: R, Python, Excel, SQL
- Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python
- GIS & Spatial Analysis: ArcGIS, QGIS
- Drone Piloting: FAA Remote Pilot Certificate
Teaching
I have developed and taught 27 unique courses, across three academic colleges, including:
- Data Journalism
- Sports Data Analysis and Visualization
- Drone Journalism
- AI for Journalism
- News Applications
- Sensors for Journalism
Selected Awards
- Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting (2009)
- Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame (2016)
- Daily Nebraskan Hall of Fame (2022)
- University of Nebraska Innovation, Development, and Engagement Award (2016)
Talks
For a collection of my talks, please visit the Talks page.
