Student Success Reporter
Hybrid - In our Washington D.C. office
SALARY: Up to $60,000 DOE

Inside Higher Ed, the leading source for news, commentary and analysis about higher education, seeks an enterprising, inquisitive journalist to write service journalism for student success professionals. The beat aims to provide staff, faculty and other higher education professionals with actionable advice and ideas that promote best practices for supporting students and helping to ensure they thrive in college and beyond.

Launched in 2023, IHE’s student success hub serves a growing audience of readers passionate about the mental wellbeing, academic progression, social life and career outcomes of college students. Through case studies, data, flash surveys and interviews, IHE’s student success coverage provides service journalism on topics that resonate with every campus community. We have built an engaged community of student success professionals through our daily coverage, weekly newsletter, regular podcast and annual national conference.

Responsibilities include:

• Sourcing and writing one student success story each day, generally between 500 and 1,000 words, including reported stories, roundup articles, research reports and results of polls using reader submissions.

• Collating our weekly Student Success newsletter, showcasing our coverage from the preceding week

• Producing our regular Voices of Student Success podcast, which requires coming up with a theme for each season, finding guests, conducting, recording and editing the interviews, and managing sponsor relationships through regular communication with the sales team.

• Helping to share content and encourage reader conversations via social media (X, Bluesky, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram) and occasional online and/or live events.

• Attending student success conferences, moderating and/or appearing on relevant panels as requested.

• Establishing connections with student success-focused higher education professionals and reaching out as needed to encourage content contributions.

• Working with the Special Projects Editor to develop and report on our annual student and student success administrator surveys

The ideal candidate:

• Has two or more years of full-time professional journalism experience, with demonstrated ability to think critically about the best way to present information.

• Has a strong interest in higher education. Prior experience in the field is a plus but not a must.

• Is a driven and organized self-starter, with the ability to juggle multiple assignments at once and meet daily deadlines.

• Has an interest in producing service journalism that aims to help higher ed staff and faculty support students during and after college

• Is confident and comfortable in developing a professional presence as an expert in college student success.

• Lives in the greater D.C. area and can adapt to our hybrid work schedule: in the office Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday, work from home Monday and Friday.

Why work with us?

Inside Higher Ed is the most trusted newsroom in higher ed, reaching millions of readers each month who represent the broad spectrum of higher education, from community colleges and minority-serving institutions to private non-profits, large publics and third-party service providers. Our journalism covers the breadth of the sector, digging into state-level politics, institutional finances and developments in educational technology as well as issues that affect students, faculty and campus leaders.

Our journalists are recognized across the sector for writing thorough stories with integrity, depth and impact. You’ll join a collaborative, mission-driven team that believes in thoughtful journalism, editorial independence and the power of higher education to change lives.

What are some of IHE’s benefits and perks?

• Competitive & comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefit packages

• 401(k) matching

• Hybrid working options for employees

• Telehealth services (mental and physical wellness)

• Cell phone service and commuter expense reimbursement

• Office centrally located in downtown Washington D.C.

• Fitness center

This is a full-time position based in Washington, D.C. This job is covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, more information at wbng.org.