Colleen Murphy

Washington, D.C.

Managing Editor, Local Network at Open Campus

Managing editor, local network @opencampusmedia ✨ Cover pic: @nocontextroyco, profile pic: @mollyalisonward.

Articles

Three Open Campus local reporters to pursue stories on barriers facing Black men in college

2 months ago | opencampus.org | Colleen Murphy |Colleen Murphy

Three reporters from Open Campus’s Local Network received Education Writers Association awards to report out stories on barriers Black men face in accessing higher education. EWA provides each reporter with $10,000 to pursue their project. Twelve reporters were selected in total. “This was one of the most competitive rounds of our fellowship program since its inception, reflecting our enthusiastic and ambitious journalist members,” Kathy Chow, EWA’s executive director, said in an announcement.
A watershed moment in college sports

Jan 24, 2025 | opencampusmedia.org | Colleen Murphy

Some D-1 colleges could begin directly paying their athletes this year. And, as Trump returns to office, our reporters dig into immigration issues in higher-ed. A newsletter about role of higher education in society — plus Open Campus developments. This year will be a crucial one for colleges in the four most-lucrative athletic conferences.
Frisky Froth

Jan 17, 2025 | independent.com | Colleen Murphy

Frisky Froth By Colleen Murphy, S.B. Fri Jan 17, 2025 | 5:28pm Add to Favorites I usually appreciate efforts to enhance awareness about the growing challenges faced by older adults. However, the article entitled, “Boomers Go Bust: Santa Barbara Supervisors Receive Bombshell Report on Aging,” decided to lean on misogynistic tropes at the onset of the story. Seeing a male reporter stereotyping perimenopausal women (who include both Millennials and Gen X, and not just Boomers for the record) and...
A look back at the biggest higher-ed news of 2024

Dec 20, 2024 | opencampusmedia.org | Colleen Murphy

2024 was a big year for Open Campus. We added five newsrooms to our Local Network and started a Texas-specific collaborative. Every day, we saw the power of local beat reporting to inform and strengthen communities. We were even recognized with several industry awards. Read more about the impact of our work. And, if you value the work we do to improve Americans’ understanding of colleges in their communities, please consider supporting our year-end campaign.
A FAFSA bright spot

Nov 22, 2024 | opencampusmedia.org | Colleen Murphy

We’ve entered a new FAFSA cycle, and the stakes are high after last year’s challenges. A new analysis shows progress in getting low-income students to complete the financial aid application. A newsletter about role of higher education in society — plus Open Campus developments. The 2025-26 FAFSA cycle has begun. There’s hope things will go more smoothly, after persistent issues over the last year led to a nationwide decline in FAFSA completion.
High school is over. Now what?

Nov 13, 2024 | opencampusmedia.org | Colleen Murphy

What would you tell your younger self before entering the workforce? What should job training really look like? What did you major in, and are you working in that field? Those are some of the questions Open Campus explored in a Nov. 12 webinar highlighting takeaways from 200 interviews we’ve conducted in Houston and Chicago. It’s all part of an ongoing project centered on how young people learn about post-high school options.
The ‘education divide’ shaping politics

Oct 28, 2024 | opencampusmedia.org | Colleen Murphy

The election is nearing, and we’ve got to talk about it. Plus, Texas students are galvanized to vote after efforts to reduce polling places. A newsletter about role of higher education in society — plus Open Campus developments. With the election upon us, I’ve been inundated by a persistent media narrative: Black voters, a reliably blue bloc, are moving away from the Democratic party.
The ‘education divide’ shaping politics

Oct 24, 2024 | open-campus-dispatch.beehiiv.com | Colleen Murphy

A voter at an early-voting location in Goldsboro, N.C. on Oct. 21. (Photo by Jonathan Gruenke/WUNC) With the election upon us, I’ve been inundated by a persistent media narrative: Black voters, a reliably blue bloc, are moving away from the Democratic party.
Texas Tribune's higher-ed reporting uncovers 'stunning level of political meddling'

Oct 10, 2024 | opencampusmedia.org | Colleen Murphy

Kate McGee, one of our two higher ed reporters at partner The Texas Tribune, was honored for her dogged reporting on Texas A&M University. McGee’s coverage of the university’s botched hiring of a veteran Black journalist led to the resignation of the university’s president. She also reported on the temporary suspension of a professor who allegedly criticized Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The Tribune’s coverage was recognized by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas last month.
Yes, Americans still see value in college

Sep 26, 2024 | open-campus-dispatch.beehiiv.com | Colleen Murphy

Most parents still want to see their children pursue college after high school, despite what you may hear. And, we uncovered how one university treats its most well-connected students. When you picture “college,” you might think of a scene like this one. (Photo: Courtesy of Ohio State University) A New America brief out this week pushes back on the notion that Americans are turning away from college.