Susan F. Paterno, Professor of English and Director of the Journalism Program, has been appointed to the Tedeschi Professorship of Journalism within the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, a recognition of her exemplary contributions to the field of journalism and her dedication to education and research.

“I’m honored by this recognition, and grateful to the mentors and students who inspired our commitment to truthful, accountable journalism. Through our partnership with Voice of OC, we not only teach students the critical role of civic news in a democracy but also help sustain journalism as a public service essential for strong democratic institutions. This appointment will allow me to amplify what I’ve done throughout my career: expose systemic failures, support our mission to bring essential news to underserved communities, and foster the development of a new generation of journalists equipped to uphold the pillars of democracy with integrity and rigor,” said Professor Paterno. 

Professor Paterno is the author of “Game On: Why College Admissions is Rigged,” published by St. Martin’s Press which won multiple awards, including First Place, General Nonfiction by the National Federation of Press Women and First Place, Nonfiction Book by the California Press Women. She has also won the National Press Club Arthur Rowse Award for Criticism for articles published in American Journalism Review.

In July, Professor Paterno was honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Journalism by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. The award recognizes Professor Paterno’s achievements in journalism and her lifelong dedication to mentoring Latinx students and journalists.

Professor Paterno’s writings have been widely recognized for their critical analysis and impact. Some of her published articles for Sage Publishing include “McClatchy: The Rise and Fall of a Media Empire” and “The Intervention Dilemma: Ethical Issues in Journalism;” and for The Washington Post, “College Rankings Have Fueled an Arms Race That Has Pushed Higher Education Astray” and “Admission Tests Aren’t Optional If Tied to Financial Aid.”

Her work has appeared in Forbes, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and American Journalism Review, where she served as senior writer and editor for 15 years. While reporting and writing for American Journalism she won a widely publicized libel and defamation lawsuit that established landmark First Amendment protections for journalists in California.