San Antonio Report Strengthens Education Coverage with New Higher Education Reporter
The San Antonio Report is set to expand its local education journalism by introducing its first dedicated higher education reporter, Danya Pérez, later this month. This strategic addition marks a significant milestone in the publication’s mission to provide comprehensive news on education in the San Antonio area.
Introducing Danya Pérez
Danya Pérez, a reporter with a strong background in education media, joins the San Antonio Report from her role in Houston, where she covered diverse communities. A bicultural and bilingual professional originally from El Paso, Pérez’s experience includes previous reporting positions at The Monitor in the Rio Grande Valley and the San Antonio Express-News.
Strengthening the Education Team
Pérez’s addition complements the existing efforts of Xochilt Garcia, the K-12 education reporter at the San Antonio Report, who has made substantial contributions since joining the team in February. Together, they will enhance the newsroom’s capacities to tackle pressing educational issues that are vital to the community.
Funding and Support
This new position was established thanks to a grant from the nonprofit organization Open Campus, as well as generous contributions from local supporters, including a successful crowdfunding campaign in the fall of 2024. Such funding highlights the community’s commitment to quality journalism and education coverage.
Focus on Higher Education
With a student population surpassing 120,000 across both public and private higher education institutions, San Antonio features a vibrant academic landscape. The San Antonio Report aims to explore the essential role that higher education plays in the well-being of Bexar County, ensuring institutional accountability through thorough investigative journalism.
Collaboration with Open Campus
Pérez will also join a network of reporters from Open Campus across Texas. This collaboration involves partnerships with noted news organizations such as The Texas Tribune, El Paso Matters, and the Fort Worth Report, aiming to enrich educational news coverage statewide.
Comments from Leadership
“As a local nonprofit news organization, one of our most significant challenges is delivering as much coverage of essential San Antonio stories as our community deserves with a small team,” said Angie Mock, publisher of the San Antonio Report. She emphasized the transformative potential of Pérez’s role for their education reporting capabilities, stating, “We couldn’t be more grateful to Open Campus and all of the readers and local donors who contributed to our crowdfunding campaign. Now, we’re thrilled to be able to deliver on the promise of doubling our impact with more education coverage in San Antonio.”
Garcia’s Recent Work
Over the past few months, Garcia has reported on various issues, including school performance ratings, staff retention challenges in special education, and local election ballot initiatives related to education funding. Her work has provided vital insights into the challenges and developments within the educational landscape.
Conclusion
This new chapter in the San Antonio Report‘s education coverage reflects a commitment to serving the community with timely, relevant, and well-researched journalism. With the strategic hiring of Danya Pérez and the continued efforts of Xochilt Garcia, readers can expect more comprehensive reporting on the issues that shape their educational environment.