Emma Pettit
Emma Pettit is a senior reporter who covers politics, people, and higher-education oddities for The Chronicle of Higher Education. She loves people-driven narratives and falling down rabbit holes. Before joining The Chronicle, in 2018, she reported on county government and breaking news for The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, based in Little Rock, Ark. She won several feature-writing awards there and was named the 2017 Outstanding New Journalist, presented by the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Born in Nebraska and raised in Colorado, Emma attended Villanova University. She studied English and political science while she was an athlete on the varsity volleyball team. She is a writer because of her father, who would ask her to come up with metaphors for the moon during early morning drives.
When she’s not on deadline, she can be found goofing around on Twitter, where she spends too much time. Follow her at @EmmaJanePettit, or email her at emma.pettit@chronicle.com.
Stories by this Author
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'We Must Advance a New Vision'Citing ‘Unprecedented’ Financial Challenges, Miami U. Tells Low-Enrollment Majors to Change
It’s not professors’ fault that the university can no longer afford to support its current lineup of academic programs, the office of the provost wrote in a document shared with department chairs. -
Across the Divide
Who Should Shape What Colleges Teach? Not the Government, Most Americans Say.
A new Chronicle poll shows bipartisan support for giving internal actors the most influence on the curriculum. But it also reveals deep political divides on other questions about higher ed. -
'Faulty Decision Making'
West Virginia U.’s Faculty Votes No Confidence in Gordon Gee
The resolution, which passed 797 to 100, says the president has refused to “accept responsibility” for the institution’s financial turmoil, among other criticisms. -
Heated Opposition
At West Virginia U., Students Protest Cuts, Tell Gordon Gee to ‘Go’
A fundamental question underlined the crowd’s shouts and signs: What sort of education must a public flagship provide? -
Lost in Translation?
Scholars See Dangerous Precedent in West Virginia U.’s Plan to Cut Foreign Languages
The provost’s office recommended dissolving the world-languages department. Critics of the decision say the flagship is abandoning its responsibility to the state. -
'A Substantive Attack'
New College of Florida’s Board Starts to Dismantle Gender-Studies Program
Florida’s designated honors college has been embroiled in controversy as conservative trustees attempt to reshape it. Now a board member has lobbed a new grenade. -
Is Something Out There?
Scholars React to UFO Whistle-Blower’s Testimony: ‘Show Me the Spaceship’
A former intelligence officer told Congress the U.S. government is hiding evidence of alien life. Prove it, academics say. -
Vows
Do You Take This Campus to Be Your Wedding Venue?
Andrew Kragie likes to say he met his wife through, got engaged on top of, and got married inside the Duke University Chapel. -
'Sour Grapes'
A Florida Presidential Search Was Halted Because of ‘Anomalies.’ The Board Chair Says Nothing’s Amiss.
The state university system chancellor effectively ordered the pause, prompting Florida Atlantic University and its search firm to defend themselves. A faculty leader suggested the move was political. -
'A niche art form'
Is College for Puppets?
At a flagship in crisis, a tiny program’s fight to survive reveals competing visions over the purpose of higher education.
