COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a milestone moment steeped in both institutional history and modern media advocacy, Nicole DeCriscio was officially sworn in today as the 110th national president of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). The inauguration ceremony took place during the President’s Reception at SPJ26, the organization’s premier annual conference, held this year in Columbus, Ohio. DeCriscio assumes leadership from outgoing president Chris R. Vaccaro, having spent the previous year serving as the organization’s national vice president. Her ascension to the presidency marks a unique historical first: as an alumna of DePauw University—widely recognized as the birthplace of SPJ—she becomes the first graduate of the institution to lead the national organization since its founding more than a century ago. Addressing a ballroom filled with journalists, editors, educators, and industry leaders, DeCriscio delivered an inaugural address that bridged SPJ’s 1909 roots with the turbulent realities of 21st-century media. She emphasized that while the tools of journalism have radically transformed, the foundational mission of the profession remains non-negotiable. Main Facts The New President: Nicole DeCriscio, a seasoned multimedia journalist, freelance writer, and local news entrepreneur, officially took the oath of office as SPJ’s 110th national president. Historic Milestone: DeCriscio is a graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana—the historic birthplace of SPJ—making her the first alumnus from the university to hold the organization’s highest national office. Leadership Transition: She succeeds immediate past president Chris R. Vaccaro, having previously served a full term as SPJ national vice president. Core Agenda: DeCriscio’s presidential platform centers heavily on defending press freedom, fortifying the financial and operational stability of SPJ systems, enhancing chapter-to-chapter connectivity, and fostering a deeply inclusive, welcoming culture for members across all career stages. Professional Background: A 2012 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient, DeCriscio has worked extensively as a reporter, photographer, designer, and editor across Indiana and Utah. She is the founder of the Sweet Owen Current and most recently served as the founding executive editor of a nonprofit local newspaper. Chronology of Leadership: From Student Member to National President DeCriscio’s journey to the helm of the Society of Professional Journalists is defined by a more than decade-long trajectory of grassroots engagement, local chapter governance, and national board leadership. Early Involvement and Local Impact DeCriscio’s relationship with SPJ began in 2013 when she joined as a student member during her undergraduate years at DePauw University. Immersed in an academic environment that honors the historical legacy of the organization’s founders, she quickly translated student enthusiasm into professional dedication. Over the subsequent decade, she built a diverse career spanning multiple facets of the media industry. Working across Indiana and Utah, she developed operational expertise as a reporter, visual journalist, page designer, and newsroom editor. Her journalistic output has consistently garnered peer recognition; notably, she is a multiple-time recipient of the SPJ Indiana Chapter’s “Best in Indiana Journalism” awards, which most recently included a first-place finish for feature writing. Beyond traditional newsrooms, DeCriscio demonstrated entrepreneurial commitment to the sustainability of local media. She founded the Sweet Owen Current and stepped up to serve as the founding executive editor of a nonprofit local newspaper. In that role, she navigated the complex hurdles of establishing foundational corporate governance, structuring sustainable revenue models, and steering daily editorial operations in an era of local news deserts. National Service and Board Governance DeCriscio’s ascent within SPJ mirrors her professional versatility. She has occupied pivotal volunteer and leadership roles across the organizational spectrum: SPJ Florida Pro Chapter: Served actively on the board of directors, championing professional development and legal advocacy in the Sunshine State. Regional Coordination: Acted as chair of the Regional Coordinator Caucus and currently serves as the SPJ Region 5 coordinator, directly supporting chapters and members across Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. National Governance: Held a seat as an at-large director on the SPJ National Board of Directors and continues to lend her expertise as an at-large director on the SPJ Freelance Community Board of Directors, advocating for the unique needs of independent and gig-economy journalists. Her election as national vice president positioned her directly beneath Chris R. Vaccaro in the leadership line of succession, preparing her extensively for the complex institutional responsibilities she assumed today in Columbus. Supporting Data & Industry Context DeCriscio takes office during a critical juncture for American journalism. The broader media landscape continues to grapple with unprecedented systemic transformations, economic pressures, and political headwinds. +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | KEY CHALLENGES FACING MODERN JOURNALISM | +--------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Technological Disruption | Rapid AI adoption, algorithmic shifts| | | in distribution, and digital trust. | +--------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Economic Pressures | Contraction of local newsrooms, rise | | | of news deserts, and pivot to non- | | | profit/freelance models. | +--------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Press Freedom Threats | Escalating legal harassment, FOIA | | | blockades, safety hazards, and | | | public rhetoric against reporters. | +--------------------------+--------------------------------------+ SPJ’s infrastructure—encompassing professional chapters, student chapters, regional networks, and specialized communities like the Freelance Community—serves as a vital safety net against these trends. Under DeCriscio’s leadership, the national board aims to reinforce the organization’s financial health and optimize its digital and administrative systems to better serve a diversifying membership base. Furthermore, DeCriscio’s background as a nonprofit news editor and independent freelancer brings lived experience to the economic realities facing a significant portion of today’s working press. With traditional newsrooms shrinking, the influx of independent journalists, digital startups, and collaborative community-funded publications requires robust institutional support systems—an area DeCriscio has championed throughout her career. Official Responses & Inaugural Address Addressing the SPJ26 gathering, DeCriscio’s speech drew explicit parallels between the founding epoch of American journalism education and the contemporary digital battleground. She reminded attendees of SPJ’s origins in 1909, when 10 visionary students at DePauw University banded together to establish rigorous professional ethics and mutual support networks. "The courage of those 10 students reminds us that we can meet this moment by standing together and holding ourselves to professional standards," DeCriscio told the audience. "It is our commitment to these things that gives us and our work credibility." Acknowledging the weight of history and the anxieties of the present moment, she emphasized humility and collective resolve: "I feel deeply connected to SPJ’s long history and humbled to have a chance to help carry it forward. Let’s lead boldly, connect deeply, and sustain SPJ’s future together." Outgoing president Chris R. Vaccaro, who steered the organization through the preceding term, expressed full confidence in DeCriscio’s leadership capacity, citing her deep institutional memory, relentless work ethic, and unwavering dedication to frontline reporters. Implications for the Future of SPJ and American Journalism DeCriscio’s presidency arrives with several clear implications for the strategic direction of the Society of Professional Journalists and its advocacy footprint nationwide: 1. Amplifying Support for Freelancers and Local Startups Given her professional background launching the Sweet Owen Current and serving on the SPJ Freelance Community Board, DeCriscio’s tenure is expected to place a pronounced emphasis on the economic viability of independent and local journalism. As corporate media consolidation continues to displace career journalists into the freelance market, SPJ’s programmatic offerings, legal defenses, and networking frameworks will likely lean further into supporting independent operators. 2. Renewed Focus on Press Freedom and Legal Defense With journalists facing rising hostility, legal intimidation (such as SLAPP suits), and administrative hurdles in obtaining public records, DeCriscio has signaled that defending the First Amendment will remain a cornerstone of her administration. SPJ’s active funds—including the Legal Defense Fund and the First Amendment Forever Fund—will remain critical instruments in this ongoing battle. 3. Organizational Modernization and Inclusivity Operational sustainability is a stated priority for DeCriscio. By focusing on financial health and system upgrades, the national leadership hopes to streamline member services, making it easier for emerging professionals to find mentorship and professional community. Fostering a welcoming, inclusive culture across all chapters will be essential to reversing broader industry attrition and retaining diverse talent within the journalistic pipeline. About the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists promotes the public interest in journalism and strives to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists. SPJ fights to protect press freedom, promotes high ethical standards, and recognizes outstanding achievement in the profession. To support journalism, defend your right to know, or explore membership opportunities, visit SPJ’s official website. Post navigation On the Frontlines of Truth: What Central and Eastern Europe’s Fact-Checkers Learned from a Gauntlet of High-Stakes Elections Under Siege: The Collapsing State of Press Freedom in Serbia
