Vermont Public Radio Reporter Amy Noyes has received a fellowship from the Education Writers Association as part of that organization’s ongoing efforts to support enterprising journalism projects.
Noyes will create a series on innovation in the higher education business model at Vermont’s small colleges — many of which are struggling to stay afloat. The EWA Reporting Fellowship provides funding to help cover reporting costs. She is one of nine reporters from across the country to receive a fellowship.
"The recent closure of some of Vermont's small colleges has put a spotlight on the shrinking student population and escalating student debt," said Noyes. "But every school has its own story. Thanks to EWA's support, VPR is able to take the time to explore the problems and the solutions at Vermont's higher education institutions."
Noyes is an award winning journalist who has worked in print and radio in Vermont since 1991. Her first job in professional radio was at WVMX in Stowe, where she worked as News Director and co-host of The Morning Show. She has been a VPR contributor since 2006, covering Lamoille County and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Noyes created and curated Dorothy’s List, VPR’s book club for kids based on the books nominated for Vermont’s Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award. She has a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University.
“Our state has seen major challenges in higher education in the past few years and our newsroom has reported on the effects of rising tuition costs and campuses closing,” said VPR News Director Sarah Ashworth. “However, we also want to find the ways colleges are looking to survive and grow in the coming decades and how those efforts will shape Vermont’s economy. This fellowship allows us to report past the headlines and deeply explore how colleges here are adapting and innovating.”
In announcing the 2019-20 class of Fellows, Caroline Hendrie, EWA’s executive director said, “We were thrilled to receive many strong proposals for in-depth reporting projects, including from outlets focused on local news. We are proud of the outstanding coverage that EWA’s fellowship program has supported to date, and we’re confident that this new round will prove equally excellent.”
