Over the past year, The Post has taken a deeper, more intentional approach to storytelling through our solutions journalism grant, strengthening both our reporting and our commitment to serving our audience.
With the support of the grant, we have published five solutions-focused stories, with more on the way. Our coverage has explored responses to the opioid epidemic on Ohio University’s campus and in the Athens community, examined how both OU and West Virginia University are addressing the crisis, and reported on maternity deserts in Southeast Ohio. We also highlighted the Appalachian Children’s Coalition’s work in behavioral health care and the Athens Photo Project’s approach to mental health in Appalachia.
Each story was paired with strong visual and multimedia elements, including original photography, video and podcast components, allowing us to tell these stories in a more complete and impactful way.
The grant also created opportunities beyond the newsroom. We were able to submit our work for awards, travel to New York City to present our progress and report in West Virginia through on-the-ground interviews and tours of key facilities. That investment has already shown results.
Our West Virginia University coverage earned recognition at both the state and national level, including second place at the Apple Awards in New York City, first place for in-depth reporting from the Ohio News Media Association and a Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence award.
Just as important as the recognition is what we learned. Through audience metrics, we have seen a clear preference for reporting that not only highlights problems but also explores solutions. In the newsroom, this project challenged us as leaders to trust our staff and delegate more responsibility, a shift that resulted in thoughtful, high-quality work. We have also seen how meaningful long-form reporting is for our writers as they build portfolios and prepare for careers beyond OU.
As a newsroom of student journalists, we understand this project is an ambitious undertaking. We are balancing coursework, internships, jobs and the demands of a 24-hour newsroom. But we also believe The Post’s mission extends far beyond campus lines. For more than a century, The Post has covered life at OU, yet we know it’s just as important to move beyond campus and into the communities surrounding us. Covering Athens and the greater Appalachian region means understanding our neighbors’ histories, struggles and resilience.
None of this work would have been possible without the dedication of our editors, writers, photographers and videographers, who embraced this approach and pushed our journalism forward. We are equally grateful to our audience for engaging with these stories and supporting this kind of reporting.
Solutions journalism is not a one-time project for The Post. It’s a commitment we plan to carry forward, continuing to ask not only what challenges our community faces, but how people are working to address them.
Thank you to the Solutions Journalism Network for trusting us with this opportunity, and to *Sharon Bloyd-Peshkin for her guidance and support throughout this process.
Abby Waechter is a senior studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Please note the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Have something to say? Email Abby at aw087421@ohio.edu.
