© [y] Gregg Birnbaum
It’s a powerful combination in the classroom, in person or online: Decades of journalism experience at the country's leading news outlets coupled with years of successfully teaching the concepts and skills of news reporting, writing and media at the undergraduate level.
Most recently, I served as the Assistant Managing Editor for Politics at NBCNews.com, resigning in March 2021 to devote more time to teaching. In my role as leader of NBC’s national digital coverage of government, politics and campaigns, I directed teams of reporters and editors in New York City and Washington, D.C., in coverage of the 2018 congressional midterm elections, 2020 presidential campaign, White House, Congress, Supreme Court and public policy. Among my responsibilities leading a 20-person core team were supervising breaking news reporting, news of day coverage, enterprise stories and long-form multi-media special projects.
Prior to joining NBC in 2017, I held senior digital editing positions at CNN, POLITICO, The New York Daily News and The New York Post. I worked with the most advanced online news tools available in the areas of analytics, SEO, blogging platforms, data graphics and social media.
I care deeply about both the news business and higher education. I bring real-world journalism with me into every class, along with a deep interest in my students and their progress.
Over 10 semesters since 2014 at Baruch College in New York City, part of the City University of New York system, I have taught introductory courses in news reporting/writing and an upper-level elective on the midterm congressional elections. In the Spring 2021 semester, I am teaching fully online, as in-person learning has been curtailed due to Covid-19.
As an Assistant Adjunct Professor, my responsibilities for these courses included designing syllabi from the ground up, formulating in-class and home assignments, selecting informative readings, and lecturing on the building-block concepts of journalism, such as what is news, how to interview, fact checking and detecting fake news, writing sharp ledes, concepts of story structure and feature writing, ethical practices and much more.
The courses were hybrid in person/online offerings that combined weekly classroom instruction with remote learning components, such as active blogs and lively discussion boards, along with varied research projects and challenging field reporting assignments.
Currently residing in Miami, I lived and worked for many years in New York, the most diverse large city in the U.S., and I am teaching at one of the most diverse universities in the country. Baruch ranked 13th out of nearly 800 public and private institutions in the diversity of its student body, according to the 2021 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. The makeup of my classes in an urban setting has reflected that diversity, with students of many different backgrounds, and I embrace inclusion with a teaching approach of understanding, respect and fairness.
I critique and grade hundreds of assignments each semester (I believe the best way to learn journalism is by doing, again and again — and getting feedback), hold office hours, and have participated in journalism department activities, panel discussions and engaged with tenured faculty.
I have familiarity with several LMSs, including Blackboard, Canvas and Moodle. And I have completed teacher training certificate programs offered by the Poynter Institute and the City University of New York.
If you would like more information or have any questions, I can be reached at 917.414.1622 or gregg (at) greggbirnbaum.com.
Best,
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions, Baruch College, City University of New York, January 2014-present. Over 10 semesters, taught undergraduate courses in news reporting/writing and an elective on the congressional midterm elections.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a part-time or full-time teaching position at an institution of higher education in an online, in-classroom or hybrid setting.
RESPONSIBILITIES
JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
TEACHING PROGRAMS
SKILLS
Familiarity with Blackboard, Canvas and Moodle LMS, anti-plagiarism tools, social media
Assistant Managing Editor for Politics, NBCNews.com, February 2017-March 2021
Directed teams of reporters and editors in New York City and Washington, D.C., in coverage of the 2018 midterm elections, 2020 presidential campaign, White House, Congress and Supreme Court. Supervised breaking news reporting, news of day, enterprise stories and long-form multi-media special projects. Managed coverage of the intersection of COVID-19 and politics, the Mueller report, presidential impeachment, Democratic primary contests and debates, national party conventions, presidential and vice presidential debates and Election Day.
Senior Politics Editor, CNN.com, April 2015-February 2017
Responsible for spot news politics coverage, including writing and sending push alerts, served as lead editor of the popular year-long 2016 presidential campaign live blog and co-managed a newly launched cross-platform reporting group on national security, military and Department of Justice.
Managing Editor/Head of Political Content, The New York Daily News, January 2015-April 2015
Responsible for political coverage on print and digital platforms, including breaking news and enterprise reporting. Managed bureaus in Washington, D.C., Albany and New York City Hall.
Deputy Managing Editor, Politico.com, January 2011-December 2014
Managed teams of breaking news and media industry reporters, with focus on promoting highly trafficked content. Developed catchy story angles on topical beats that included the White House, Congress, campaigns and public policy. Undertook intensive training of reporters for promotion within the growing organization.
Political Editor, The New York Post, 2001–2010
Oversaw political and governmental reporting on print and digital platforms at the national, state and local levels. Directed comprehensive coverage of three New York City mayoral campaigns, two New York gubernatorial contests and the 2004 and 2008 presidential races.
TEACHING
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism, Baruch College, City University of New York, January 2014-present. Taught undergraduate courses in news reporting/writing and the midterm elections.
EDUCATION
Master of Science, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., June 1985.
Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, Tufts University, Medford, Mass., June 1982.
SKILLS
Knowledge of digital analytical tools, including Parse.ly and Omniture, SEO best practices, CMS, mobile platforms, video, and Webex and other tools for working remotely.