The Student Press Law Center is proud to welcome Mira Lowe, dean of the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication at Florida A&M University, to the organization’s Board of Directors.
“Mira’s contributions to supporting student journalism, the First Amendment and the broader news industry are unparalleled,” said Kelly Furnas, chair of SPLC’s Board of Directors. “As both an educator and a professional, she has consistently championed the values and ethics that SPLC stands for. We are honored and grateful to have her serving on the Board of Directors.”
Lowe was previously the director of the University of Florida’s Innovation News Center, which provides news coverage throughout the state of Florida as one of the largest student-driven newsrooms in the country. She also served as assistant dean for student experiences at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.
“I had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Mira at UF and saw firsthand how her leadership, passion and dedication to the students transformed the lives of so many young journalists,” said Gary Green, SPLC’s executive director. “We are fortunate to have her join SPLC’s Board of Directors as we celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary and evolve the organization to address the threats and opportunities that student journalists will face in the years ahead.”
During her distinguished journalism career, Lowe held editor roles at CNN Digital and Newsday. As editor-in-chief of JET magazine, she was the first woman to helm the venerable African-American newsweekly.
“Millions of Americans are increasingly relying on student journalists as a primary news source, and Mira’s extensive expertise will help position SPLC to provide those journalists with the innovative legal support they need to do their reporting,” Green said.
“SPLC has a mighty track record of supporting student journalists and defending their free press rights,” Lowe said. “I believe in its vision and am thrilled to join the board at this critical time for journalism.”
SPLC’s Board of Directors consists of up to 15 volunteers from across the fields of journalism, education, law, philanthropy and nonprofit management. Board members serve for three-year terms which are renewable for one additional term.
About the Student Press Law Center
The Student Press Law Center (splc.org) is a nonpartisan nonprofit that promotes, supports and defends the First Amendment and free press rights of student journalists. Operating since 1974, SPLC provides information, training and legal assistance at no charge to high school and college student journalists and the educators who work with them. SPLC also supports the grassroots, student-led New Voices movement, which seeks to protect student press freedom through state laws.