Cox Institute welcomes new faculty, announces new roles

The Cox Institute is welcoming one new faculty member and has made several key role changes as the 2026-27 academic year begins.

The Cox Institute’s purpose is to prepare students for leadership, writing and innovation roles in the news media through experiential learning opportunities. It was established in 1990 by the late Conrad Fink — a legendary journalism professor in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. It is named for the late James M. Cox Jr., who headed Cox Enterprises and Cox Broadcasting Corporation from 1957 until 1974.

Dr. Amanda Bright, clinical associate professor, begins a new position this fall as executive director of the Cox Institute, formerly led by Dr. Keith Herndon.

“Our idea here is to bring the curriculum alive and make it an extension of what they’re learning in class, but in a real, tangible way, where they interact with professionals, and they do real work that matters,” Bright said.

Senior lecturer Lori Johnston, who is also the director of the Cox Institute, said she’s excited to take over the Journalism Leadership Lab’s Levin Leaders program, where students will take on a variety of leadership roles both inside and outside of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The program is supported by Adam Levin. The Leaders will discuss media leadership with their peers and professionals, and they will mentor journalism majors and serve as judges in Reporting I and II class competitions.

“The hope is that students will feel empowered to be able to talk to professionals, but also that they’ll feel like they can really lead their peers in a more successful way,” Johnston said.

Clinical Assistant Professor/Writer in Residence Nick Chiles will begin his first year in the Cox Institute as the director of the Journalism Writing Lab’s Fink Fellows, previously led by Johnston. Chiles said the Fink Fellows program will focus on long-form reporting and writing.

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