Dr. Laura Castañeda

Biography

Laura Castañeda is an award-winning professor of professional practice at the USC Annenberg School of Journalism, where she has been a faculty member since 2000. Her teaching, writing, and research primarily focus on issues of diversity, particularly the Latino experience, as well as pedagogy in journalism. Before joining USC, she taught at Temple University and worked as a staff writer and editor for several renowned outlets including the San Francisco Chronicle and Dallas Morning News. Her freelance work has been featured in prominent publications like The Atlantic and Columbia Journalism Review. Castañeda has co-edited the book 'News and Sexuality: Media Portraits of Diversity' and co-authored the 'Latino Guide to Personal Money Management.' She holds undergraduate degrees in journalism and international affairs from USC, a master's degree from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, and a doctorate from USC Rossier School of Education. She was awarded the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in business and economics reporting. Castañeda has served in various academic leadership roles, including associate director at the School of Journalism from 2010 to 2014. In 2019, she received the Barry Bingham Sr. Fellowship from the American Society of News Editors for her efforts to promote diversity in journalism education, among other recognitions throughout her career.

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