Amara Aguilar

Amara Aguilar is a Professor of Journalism at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, specializing in digital journalism, social media, and emerging technologies. She co-founded the bilingual outlet Dímelo to serve Latinx audiences and advises its operations. Her expertise spans data-driven journalism, design thinking, and inclusive media practices. Aguilar holds a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from USC’s Rossier School of Education, focusing on converged newsroom dynamics. She actively collaborates with institutions like the Center for Public Diplomacy and has been recognized for her innovative approaches to journalism education, including grants and fellowships. Her current research examines Latinas’ roles in journalism and informs her forthcoming book on Latinx storytelling.

Education:

• Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership (USC Rossier School of Education)

Research Focus: Latinx audiences, technology in journalism, media innovation, and diversity in newsrooms. She has conducted training for organizations such as the Associated Press, ABC News, and the NFL.

Awards:

• Online News Association Challenge Fund Grant (2020)
• TOW Knight Disruptive Educator (2018)
• MediaShift’s Top Innovative Journalism Educator (2017)

Key Projects: Development of Dímelo, collaborations with ABC7, Snap Inc., and Google News Initiative, and leadership in public diplomacy initiatives.