Andrew Salomon

Associate Professor of Journalism

Andrew Salomon worked for two decades as a daily journalist: as an assistant sports editor at The Washington Post, assistant arts and entertainment editor at Newsday, and as national news editor at Backstage magazine. He has reported extensively on labor strife in Hollywood and on Broadway, as well as on the intersection of technology and the arts. His current research involves the sportswriter Wendell Smith and his intersection with the career of Jackie Robinson.

More About Me

In 2017, he started the Richard & Marylee Salomon Fund for Journalists in honor of his parents. This fund contributes money to an early-career journalist from Purchase College for a significant work of nonfiction reportage.

Grant Recipients

2018: Jessica Glenza, Class of 2011: for the creation of South of the South, a literary journal featuring journalism, poetry, and photography. It centers on a community of writers, photographers, artists, and politically independent people in Florida.

2020: Curt Brodner and Ellie Houghtaling, Class of 2019: to provide ongoing aid for their Twitter feed @nyc_protests. Brodner and Houghtaling started the feed in the wake of the uprisings following the murder of George Floyd. It continues, under new management, to provide news and information about the intersections of policing, housing, race, and poverty.

2021: Sophia Hadeshian, Class of 2020: Among her many duties, Sophia is the creative director of Azad Archives, a news and information platform “committed to breaking the silence on the most important issues” facing the Armenian community. She used the funds to bolster the website and buy a camera, which has nearly circumnavigated the globe, passing among Armenians to record lives and accomplishments of Armenian citizens and the diaspora.

The Purchase Beat (2011-present): With the invaluable help of 10 journalism students, Professor Robin Lynch and her Community Design class, he started the student-run arts magazine (print and online). Since its inception, it has drawn together hundreds of students from majors across the college, many of whom have used their experience to have careers in journalism and related fields.

Service to the College/Committee Work

Task Force on Student Evaluations of Teachers: Chair (2022-present). Task force of five faculty is examining the current evaluation form and comparing with other institutions; looking at wide-ranging research on implicit bias in forms and evaluation process; and soliciting faculty feedback. Will present findings to Faculty-at-Large and standing faculty committees in Fall 2023.

Plan Wide Open Work Group, Writing: Member (2022-present). Work group is looking at best practices for the teaching of writing and writing curricula. Using internal studies, as well as quantitative and qualitative data, as well as similar information SUNY- and nationwide, the group is identifying current challenges and crafting possible ways to meet them. Group has also written a survey for faculty to be distributed this spring.

Chair, Journalism Department (2016-20)

Faculty Senate (2014-17): At-large member.

Strategic Planning Committee (2010-11): Served and chaired this committee.

Have chaired/served on numerous Divisional Review Committees and Faculty Search Committees.

Representative Courses

Christie Rotondo (Class of '13), center, at the launch party for Issue #1 of The Beat. Christie Rotondo (Class of '13), center, at the launch party for Issue #1 of The Beat.