Oakland, CA – Acclaimed investigative reporter Matt Drange announced the return of his investigative reporting class at Laney College this fall, simultaneously praising former student Sam Mondros for her recent impactful journalism. Drange, an instructor at the college, highlighted Mondros's work, stating in a recent tweet, "One of my favorite parts of teaching investigative reporting at @Laney_College is working with talented journalists like @Sam_Mondros on stories like this one. You bring an idea, we make it better together."
The "story like this one" refers to Mondros's article published in The San Francisco Standard, titled "Oakland’s Laney College Has a Journalism Program. It Just Doesn’t Have Any Journalism Classes." Her reporting brought to light significant issues within the college's journalism department, indicating a disconnect between the existence of a program and the actual availability of courses for students.
Drange's tweet also served as an announcement for the resumption of his specialized class, confirming, "The class returns this fall! Msg me for details." This indicates a continued commitment to offering practical journalism education at Laney College, particularly in the crucial area of investigative reporting, despite the broader challenges Mondros's article uncovered.
Matt Drange is a highly respected investigative reporter, currently with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), and has previously worked for Business Insider, Forbes, and the Center for Investigative Reporting. His extensive background includes breaking significant stories, such as the funding of a lawsuit against Gawker Media by Peter Thiel, and his work has been recognized with numerous awards. He holds a master's degree from the Columbia Journalism School and also teaches at Cal Poly Humboldt.
The return of Drange's investigative reporting course offers a vital opportunity for aspiring journalists at Laney College to gain hands-on experience and mentorship from an industry veteran. This development comes at a critical time for the program, as it navigates the implications of Mondros's report and seeks to strengthen its educational offerings.
