The Chronicle of Higher Education is seeking two reporting fellows to join our newsroom. The fellowship runs from July 2026 to July 2027. The fellows will work as general-assignment reporters, covering a broad set of issues at the center of the academic enterprise.
Your chief responsibility will be to produce smart, engaging coverage of the themes and concerns that touch our readers every day. You will pick up assignments and pitch stories about issues of deep national importance, such as politics, finance and how colleges are changing. Through creative story ideas and careful reporting, your work will shed light on the everyday experiences of scholars, administrators, and students.
We’re looking for recent college graduates or early-career journalists with a passion for storytelling and in-depth reporting. You should be curious about higher education, but previous experience covering the sector is not required. You’ll need to be self-motivated and proactive, eager to collaborate with others, attuned to how news is distributed online, accustomed to pitching ideas, and flexible enough to juggle multiple stories and approaches — including breaking news and self-driven enterprise writing — at once. You’ll write on deadline often, and you’ll look to drive conversations about the big issues facing colleges and universities.
The Chronicle is independently owned and based in Washington, D.C. Most Chronicle staff members work in a hybrid capacity out of our D.C. office, but remote work in VA, MD, MI, WA, TX, FL, NC, and NY may be considered. If you have questions about the policy, email Megan Zahneis at megan.zahneis@chronicle.com.
This position will pay $55,000 a year with benefits — including health, dental and vision and paid time off — which are among the best in the business. Fellows can also expect internal and external opportunities for professional development and a one-on-one mentorship program with a senior staff member.
If this sounds like the place you want to make your mark, submit a cover letter, résumé, five clips, three brief pitches for story ideas, and the names and contact information of three references. Please ensure application readers are able to view your clips (e.g., an ad doesn’t cover half the article). Cover letters should be addressed to the Chronicle Fellowship Selection Committee.
We will begin reviewing applications on Thursday, January 15 and hope to extend offers by early March.
