Barbara Pierce

Barbara Pierce serves as an Adjunct Instructor at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, teaching undergraduate (Journalism BA) and graduate (Journalism MS) courses since 2011 while also acting as a writing coach in the student-run newsroom.

Her educational background includes a Master of Science from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts from Williams College.

Her expertise centers on Media Literacy, with deep professional experience in Investigative Journalism and Documentary Production. Over 25 years as a CBS News producer, she covered breaking news and created investigative features for CBS Evening News, Sunday Morning, CBS This Morning, and 60 Minutes II, later serving as senior producer for the PBS documentary The Lavender Scare on historical persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Her journalistic excellence has earned significant recognition:

• Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award
• National Emmy for Investigative Reporting
• National Emmy for Investigative Reporting

In her academic role, Pierce mentors students through hands-on writing coaching in the newsroom, emphasizing practical journalistic skills. Though no specific research grants are documented, her career bridges high-impact broadcast journalism with media education, focusing on ethical reporting and historical context in news production.