What’s working in community journalism? Six reporters are about to find out
What’s working in community journalism? How can we earn trust in our polarized society? How can we earn sustaining revenue? Who is pulling it all off and how?
We know these maddening questions all too well.
Now, what happens if we approach them as journalists?
Our roster of 2026 Lab Reporters are about to find out. They will post their journalism on these issues during our June 2026 Pop-Up Newsroom. Subscribe to SuccessfulJournalism.com now, for free, to see all their work as it’s published in June!
This is more than a class. It’s a working newsroom.
Here’s our amazing roster of journalism talent:
2026 Successful Journalism for Communities Lab Reporters
Hailey Arends. Hailey graduated from high school with two college degrees. She's pursuing a communications degree as a freshman at the College of Idaho. Hailey is driven, curious, and is excited to have a positive impact.
Briana Bush. Briana is an award-winning journalist writing for San Diego City Times. She is currently working as their Arts & Cultures editor and will be graduating San Diego City College with an associates in Journalism. Briana plans to transfer to San Diego State University to get her bachelors in Journalism and continue working towards being a reporter.
Alexandra Fahey. Alexandra is a sophomore at Bowdoin College intending to major in English. She is a staff writer and columnist for the Bowdoin Orient, where she focuses on cultural and intellectual life on and off campus. Alexandra is especially interested in meaningful interviews, long-form reporting, and journalism that rebuilds trust and engages directly with communities.
Cav Scott. Cav is a reporter committed to pursuing deep and ethical coverage of politics, education, labor and environment. He has written professionally for news services on Long Island. Residing in Brooklyn, he holds a degree in environmental studies with minors in race and ethnicity studies and journalism. On the weekend, you might find him cycling in Prospect Park.
Doanh Tran. Doanh ("Yu-An") is a junior English major at University of Minnesota Crookston. She works at her college’s Writing Center as a consultant and editorial assistant for the college’s art and literary journal. She will be attending Lab digitally from her home country, Vietnam.
Ruixin Zhang. Ruixin is a first-year student from China studying Journalism and Anthropology at Northwestern University. She grew-up as a third-culture kiddo living in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Myanmar, Germany and China. At Northwestern, Ruixin reports for The Daily Northwestern, and is also involved in civic engagement through the DeBerry Civic Scholars, Grounding for Public Service and Alternative Spring Break. In her free time, Ruixin enjoys running by the lakefill, splurging on books and restaurant crawling with friends.
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