Charles Whitaker

Charles Whitaker is dean and professor at Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media & Integrated Marketing Communications. Since joining the Medill faculty in 1992, he has taught courses in news writing, magazine writing, editing, and blogging. Whitaker has also taught at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies and the Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute.

Before joining the Medill faculty, Whitaker was a senior editor at Ebony magazine. He covered a wide range of cultural, social, and political issues and events on four continents, including two U.S. presidential campaigns and the installation of the first black members of the British Parliament. In addition, he served as an editorial consultant to CATALYST magazine, a publication dedicated to coverage of the Chicago Public Schools, and as president of the editorial board of the Chicago Reporter.

He currently serves on the board of directors for numerous professional organizations, including the American Society of Magazine Editors and the Center for Public Integrity. He also serves on the advisory boards for the Prison Journalism Project, The Evanston RoundTable, and Block Club Chicago.