Venise Wagner

Venise Wagner is a Professor in the Department of Journalism at San Francisco State University (SFSU), College of Humanities. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois and a M.A. in International Policy Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Her career spans 12 years as a reporter for major California newspapers, including the San Francisco Chronicle and Examiner, focusing on Bay Area African American communities, education, and urban issues.

Wagner’s research emphasizes cultural proficiency in journalism and structural inequities, co-authoring Reporting Inequality: Tools and Methods for Covering Race and Ethnicity. She teaches courses promoting cross-cultural reporting and has led workshops globally, including in Istanbul. Her work integrates intercultural communication, addressing systemic disparities through journalism education.

Key awards include a 2012 sabbatical for her book, recognition for teaching excellence, and grants from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. She has advised students and spearheaded initiatives like the Civic Journalism course and community outreach programs.

Her contributions extend to community projects, including environmental education workshops in Bayview Hunters Point and collaborations with organizations like the Maynard Institute. She is also a sought-after speaker on diversity in media and racial equity.