Nationally acclaimed, award-winning journalist Nancy Andrews is bringing her cutting-edge approach to journalism to West Virginia University Reed College of Media as the College’s Ogden Newspapers Visiting Professor in Media Innovation.

Andrews, a veteran digital media editor and visual journalist, was most recently the Chief of Innovation at the Detroit Free Press where she has been for nearly nine years. There, she handled leading innovation in news, products and new models for journalism and revenue. Andrews also served as the publication’s managing editor for digital and is an expert at audience analysis.

During her time at the Free Press, she led her staff to earn four national Emmy Awards and two national Edward R. Murrow Awards. Andres also directed data-driven projects, such as “How Detroit Went Broke,” a Society of American Business Editors and Writers explanatory winner that analyzed more than 60 years of financial records to explain true causes of the city’s bankruptcy.

Before joining the Free Press staff, Andrews spent 10 years at The Washington Post as a staff photographer. During that time, she was named White House Photographer of the Year in 1998 and also named Newspaper Photographer of the Year by Pictures of the Year International from the University of Missouri and National Press Photographers Association in 1997.

Andrews has judged numerous top photojournalism and video competitions and has been a Pulitzer Prize juror three times. She has served on the board of the Eddie Adams Workshop for 15 years.

Andrews says she is eager to share her knowledge and work with aspiring young journalists at WVU.

“The passion and deep sense of purpose of the College of Media students and faculty draws me to WVU,” said Andrews. “I am honored to work with this group of smart people exploring the important issues facing journalists today and creating innovative solutions. It’s the students of today that will help define our journalism of now and tomorrow.”

College of Media Dean Maryanne Reed says Andrews’ experience will benefit students in the classroom and beyond.

“Nancy Andrews is a bridge between traditional journalism and modern media,” said Reed. “She’s a highly respected and talented journalist in her own right, but also has been leading change in newsrooms throughout her career. She is the perfect person to help the College build its reputation as a leader in modern media education.”

Andrews also is a published author. Setting out to find out more about herself and share the then-mostly-hidden world of gays and lesbians, she wrote, “Family: A Portrait of Gay & Lesbian America,” in 1994. The accompanying photography exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., was extended due to popularity. The New York Times called the book “an important record of the 20th-century-gay life and a joy to read.”

In 1998, she co-authored “Partial View: An Alzheimer’s Journal” with Dr. Cary Smith Henderson. Andrews edited the work with his wife Ruth Henderson and daughter Jackie Henderson Main. The book describes Henderson’s journey with Alzheimer’s as he struggles with the illness and his failing memory.

Andrews is a native of Virginia and a graduate of the University of Virginia. She is married to photographer Annie O’Neill. You can follow her on Twitter or Instagram @NancyAndrews and view her work at http://www.nancyandrews.com/.

-WVU-

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CONTACT: Kimberly Walker, WVU Reed College of Media
304.293.5726, Kimberly.Walker@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.