Championing Local Communities
Sara brings value to the news scene through impactful long-form journalism, in-depth research and feature storytelling. While she has covered state and federal policy issues (even interviewing a White House Cabinet member!), the majority of her work has focused on pitching and planning trusted, impactful news stories that matter most to local communities. Sara draws on comprehensive reporting and multiple perspectives to amplify localized voices and drive human interest. Her news stories have explored neighborhood-level issues, providing a platform for central Illinois' small business owners, city council members and community residents to share their successes and voice their concerns. Through persistence and exhaustive reearch, Sara strives to create stories that inform and empower local community members.
Sara is the recipient of the American Journalism Historians Association's Robert Lance Award and J. William Snorgrass Award for outstanding research. She served as the Graduate Student Interest Group (GSIG) executive board member for research with the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). She is also a former member of the American Journalist Historians Association (AJHA).
Her stories have been read in multiple central Illinois publications, including the State-Journal Register, InterBusiness Issues, Art & Society, Midwestern Family, Community Word, News & Views and Healthy Cells.
Contact Sara: sbrownin@terpmail.umd.edu.