Pioneering Publisher Mi-Ai Parrish Moves to ASU to Shape Journalism's Future
Mi-Ai Parrish, the influential publisher of The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, is leaving her newsroom to take up a teaching post at Arizona State University. She will become the inaugural Sue Clark-Johnson Professor of Media Innovation and Leadership at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, starting January 8.
Parrish, who made history as the first woman publisher at The Kansas City Star and the first Korean-American publisher of a major metropolitan daily in the US, believes that journalists must embrace entrepreneurial and integrated leadership to thrive in the industry. She plans to teach a course called 'The Business and the Future of Journalism' at ASU, reflecting her commitment to shaping the next generation of media professionals.
Parrish's decision to move into academia comes at a strategic moment in her career. She feels it's the right time to transition and help solve challenges in the media industry on a larger scale. Her experience includes navigating controversies, such as the historic endorsement of Hillary Clinton by The Arizona Republic's editorial board in late 2016, which led to death threats against her and her staff. Parrish also wrote about an Arizona legislator's inappropriate comments, highlighting ongoing challenges for women and minorities in newsrooms.
Parrish encourages aspiring women and minority journalists to seek mentors, work hard, and be brave and kind. Her essay about the endorsement experience went viral, demonstrating her impact on the industry. As she begins her new role at ASU, Parrish will continue to influence the future of journalism, fostering innovation and leadership in the next generation of media professionals.
