UNC Asheville’s Michael Gouge Named 2026 Faculty Champion for Strengthening Local Journalism

UNC Asheville Senior Lecturer of Mass Communication Michael Gouge has been named a 2026 Faculty Champion by the Center for Community News (CCN) at the University of Vermont, recognizing his leadership in preparing the next generation of journalists while expanding access to reliable local news in Western North Carolina.

Gouge is among 150 journalism educators nationwide honored for building and sustaining university-led reporting programs that serve communities facing shrinking local news coverage. The recognition highlights UNC Asheville’s growing role in addressing the region’s news desert through hands-on, student-powered reporting.

“At the core of all of these university-led student reporting programs are innovative and entrepreneurial faculty committed to student success,” said CCN Director Richard Watts. “These programs are a win-win for everyone: students receive high-impact experiences and communities benefit from more reliable news.”

Journalism as a Core Strength at UNC Asheville

Journalism and media studies are central to UNC Asheville’s academic mission, where students learn by doing — producing professional reporting that informs real audiences. Through newsroom-style courses and faculty mentorship, students cover local government, education, environment, arts, and community issues that often receive limited media attention.

Gouge, a UNC Asheville alumnus with decades of experience in regional newspapers and magazines, teaches journalism in the Mass Communication Department and serves as faculty adviser to the award-winning student news outlet The Blue Banner. Under his guidance, students gain practical newsroom experience while providing meaningful coverage to the region.

“Our students can fill much-needed gaps in community news reporting while gaining professional experience,” Gouge said. “It’s powerful learning with real community impact.”

A National Partnership with Local Impact

UNC Asheville’s connection with the Center for Community News at UVM places the university in a national network working to rebuild local journalism through higher education. The partnership provides training, collaboration opportunities, and peer support that help UNC Asheville expand student reporting initiatives focused on Western North Carolina communities.

As part of the Faculty Champions program, Gouge will receive funding and join specialized cohorts organized around geographic regions and reporting needs — a structure designed to strengthen coverage in areas where local news resources have declined.

This collaboration amplifies UNC Asheville’s efforts to serve as a regional news partner, demonstrating how public liberal arts institutions can play a direct role in sustaining informed, civically engaged communities.

About the Recognition

The 2026 Faculty Champions represent institutions across 41 states and two Canadian provinces and include educators from community colleges, Minority-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and public universities. Each Champion receives financial support, coaching, and access to a national network of journalism educators working to expand student-led reporting.

About UNC Asheville

Founded in 1927, UNC Asheville is a proud member of the University of North Carolina System. With award-winning faculty, small class sizes, and 60+ academic programs in the natural sciences, human sciences, humanities, arts, and social sciences, the University is recognized for its robust paid internship programs to prepare students to immediately enter the workforce. In the US News & World Report 2025 edition of Best Colleges, UNC Asheville is ranked No. #9 in Top Public Schools, and No. #7 in Princeton Review’s 2025 Top 50 Guide to Green Colleges. Known as the Bulldogs, UNC Asheville student-athletes compete in 16 NCAA Division I Teams in the Big South Conference. For more information, please visit: www.unca.edu.