Sheila Coronel named academic dean at Columbia Journalism School: ‘It’s a big challenge’

'Sheila is a superb journalist, teacher and leader'

‘Sheila is a superb journalist, teacher and leader’

Investigative journalist Sheila Coronel will become dean of Academic Affairs at Columbia Journalism School on July 1, 2014.

At the same time, Sheila will continue to teach and serve as director of the school’s Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism.

“It’s a big challenge,” said Sheila when reached by The FilAm.”

The dean of academic affairs is in charge of faculty and curriculum for the various degrees and programs at the Journalism School, she said.

“I will not be teaching as much as I used to but will be as deeply involved in mentoring our investigative reporting majors as well as expanding our investigative course offerings,” said Sheila.

“Sheila is a superb journalist, teacher and leader,” said Dean Steve Coll. “Her deep commitment to investigative reporting, data science and global journalism make her ideally positioned to advance the school’s most important priorities. She has earned the great respect of her faculty colleagues and has done much to improve the school since she arrived here. She has also established herself as a media leader through her service to groups working to advance investigative journalism worldwide and to protect reporters under pressure. I look forward to learning from her and supporting her new leadership role at Columbia.”

Sheila with a Stabile Center student

Sheila with a Stabile Center student

Sheila, who joined the school in 2006 as the Toni Stabile Professor of Professional Practice in Investigative Journalism and the Director of the Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism, is known globally for her investigative work. She was co-founder and for many years, the director of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, a pioneering nonprofit.

As a Filipino journalist, she reported on the turbulent democratic transition that followed the fall of Ferdinand Marcos, writing for both Philippine newspapers as well as The New York Times and the Guardian.

“I am honored and delighted to have this opportunity to serve as academic dean of a great institution,” she said in a statement. “We are at a period of uncertainty, as well as tremendous possibility, for both journalism and journalism education. It’s an exciting time to be at a top-tier journalism school.”

Sheila is the author and editor of more than a dozen books, including “Coups, Cults & Cannibals,” a collection of reportage; “The Rulemakers: How the wealthy and well-born dominate Congress”; and “Pork and other Perks: Corruption and Governance in the Philippines.”

She has received numerous awards and widespread recognition of her work, including, the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2003, one of Asia’s premier prizes. In 2011, she received the Presidential Teaching Award, which honors Columbia University’s best teachers. She is a member of Columbia Journalism Review’s Board of Overseers.

She received an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of the Philippines in 1979, and a master’s degree in political sociology from the London School of Economics in 1991.

Sheila will succeed Bill Grueskin, who has served in the position since 2008.

Read The FilAm interview with Sheila Coronel in 2011 where she discussed the intersection of journalism and social media.



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