Allison Lichter, who has extensive experience in creating robust journalism curricula and as an editor and producer at major news outlets in the field, will join the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism as the new Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
Her appointment marks the first time in the school’s history that Newmark J-School will be led by two women, as Lichter will serve alongside Dean Graciela Mochkofsky. “Allison brings a unique perspective, and the right expertise and sensibility. She will be a great partner to me as we lead the school into its next chapter. I couldn’t be more excited about her joining us,” Mochkofsky, said.
Lichter joins CUNY after serving as the Department Chair of Journalism + Design at the Eugene Lang College at The New School in New York City. She taught and designed curricula for classes in a wide range of areas within journalism — from news product design, to reporting on climate change, and guiding students through a host of reporting projects.
One of Lichter’s main focal points in her career has been the advocacy for solutions journalism as not only a way to highlight the way the world is working towards addressing and correcting social injustices and complex problems like climate change, but also as a means of rebuilding the public’s trust in the news and inspiring students at the start of their careers in journalism.
“I will bring my background in design and systems thinking, as well as the practice of anti-racist and inclusive journalism pedagogy, to Newmark’s classrooms. I also hope to help cultivate a spirit of experimentation in the service of greater justice and equity, whether our students hope to transform journalism’s business models, shine a light on racial disparities in health outcomes, or spotlight cultural changemakers,” Lichter said.
Her role at The New School extended far beyond teaching and advising. Lichter also managed budgets, organized career development and networking events for students and alumni, and nurtured partnerships within the university and collaborated with external partners. She also engaged in important conversations about achieving newsroom resilience by making them more democratic and participatory, as well as leading the creation of journalism toolkits for educators based on design and an element of play.
Lichter’s career has been wide-ranging. Her years of newsroom experience began at New York Public Radio as a producer for a daily talk show about music and culture in the city, and then served as the Culture Editor in the New York Public Radio newsroom overseeing a staff of producers and reporters. Moving from audio to digital and print, Lichter became the Life and Culture Editor and then the Audience Engagement and Emerging Media Editor at the Wall Street Journal.
“Journalism is an essential social good and a public health imperative, and no journalism school is better positioned to serve the public than Newmark. I’m thrilled to be joining Newmark to continue to strengthen its commitment to equitable journalism education rooted in our global, multilingual city,” Lichter said.
Her first day will be April 3, 2023.