The Story:
Susan Knight is a professor at the University of Arizona School of Journalism and a mentor for the students at the School of Journalism Diversity Workshop. She started in college as a premed major and in her own words “hated it,” but her parents wanted her to continue the path of higher education in a respectable field. Susan ended up deciding to start writing. She wrote a story for a sociology professor on post rape and then had it published, which was a big deal for her because it sparked her interest in the journalism world. She took some writing and journalism classes at the University of Arizona, but after the first semester she dropped out. She moved to Oregon and got a job writing for an Oregon alternative weekly along with pursuing white water rafting. She wanted to continue with journalism because it is truth telling and spreading the word to a mass public. Susan was starting to get back on track when she was at a drive-in screening of the 1976 film All the President’s Men. Her interest was sparked again and she knew that she wanted to pursue journalism and truth telling. Susan returned to the University of Arizona and finished her journalism studies in ’78. It was another nine years before Susan gained her degree due to some problems with paperwork. She got her undergraduate in ’89 and started her way in the journalism world. Knight worked in alternative print media and mainstream print media, including stints as a book editor, freelance reporter, and a reporter and editor for the Arizona Daily Star for over 12 year, mostly covering education. She wrote stories about the community, equality, and social change. At the time she was also a member of the national board of Education Writers Association, which aimed to improve the reporting and writing of journalists covering education. In 1990, after her first child, Susan was pursuing freelance reporting and editing. She taught journalism at Pima Community College and the University of Arizona, and she fell in love with teaching. Though she had held jobs in her life as a dishwasher, barista, waitress, fry cook, reporter and editor, she found sheloved teaching the most. She currently holds the positions of associate professor. As part of the summer high school program, Susan helped as line editor and content editor.
Growing up:
Originally Susan Knight wanted to be a poet and a writer, but that idea was nixed by her parents and told to use her skills in math and science to go toward higher education. “Anyone can be a writer, but you can use math and science,” they would constantly remind her. She then wanted to be an occupational rehab therapist working with spinal chord injuries. She volunteered with hospitals and studied the sciences but wasn’t enjoying herself. She slowly drifted apart from the science and math fields and went after her writing dream.
Dream moments:
Susan loves both editing and teaching. When she first started her family she was piecing together work as a freelance reporter. There was a lot of flexibility so that Susan could be with her kids. Her career led her to the University of Arizona Press, the campus book publishing department. Once there she was introduced to a homeless man who was a recovering alcoholic named Bobby Burns. Burns kept a journal with him and wrote about his life and his journey out of homelessness. Burns was eager to have his journal published.. That is where Susan came into the picture; She was a manuscript editor for the UA Press and was assigned to work with Burns to produce a book. Hard work led to the production of Shelter. “He wanted to write better, and he always asked me to teach him.” Susan said. Some days she would take her son, who was 3 at the time, to the homeless shelter where Burns worked and they would edit his writing. Burns would occasionally grab her son a Fudgsicle, and that memory will always stay in Susan’s heart. Burns has been working as a substitute teacher, having earned a degree from Arizona State University earlier. He later went on for more education to become a college counselor. Years later, when Susan’s son attended Pima Community College, Burns was his assigned counselor. “It's fun how small Tucson really is when you look at the faces,” Susan said.
Word to take with you:
For the last 25 years, her advice for future journalists has been the same — be curious! “You must have the want to know about stuff; interest areas are going to come but when you don’t have curiosity it’s going to be a task not a joy.” Susan stated. The world of journalism will always hold a spot for her as a writer and as a teacher. She continues to teach and pursue journalism and enjoys seeing the new faces of interested journalists in the community.
Susan Knight is a professor at the University of Arizona School of Journalism and a mentor for the students at the School of Journalism Diversity Workshop. She started in college as a premed major and in her own words “hated it,” but her parents wanted her to continue the path of higher education in a respectable field. Susan ended up deciding to start writing. She wrote a story for a sociology professor on post rape and then had it published, which was a big deal for her because it sparked her interest in the journalism world. She took some writing and journalism classes at the University of Arizona, but after the first semester she dropped out. She moved to Oregon and got a job writing for an Oregon alternative weekly along with pursuing white water rafting. She wanted to continue with journalism because it is truth telling and spreading the word to a mass public. Susan was starting to get back on track when she was at a drive-in screening of the 1976 film All the President’s Men. Her interest was sparked again and she knew that she wanted to pursue journalism and truth telling. Susan returned to the University of Arizona and finished her journalism studies in ’78. It was another nine years before Susan gained her degree due to some problems with paperwork. She got her undergraduate in ’89 and started her way in the journalism world. Knight worked in alternative print media and mainstream print media, including stints as a book editor, freelance reporter, and a reporter and editor for the Arizona Daily Star for over 12 year, mostly covering education. She wrote stories about the community, equality, and social change. At the time she was also a member of the national board of Education Writers Association, which aimed to improve the reporting and writing of journalists covering education. In 1990, after her first child, Susan was pursuing freelance reporting and editing. She taught journalism at Pima Community College and the University of Arizona, and she fell in love with teaching. Though she had held jobs in her life as a dishwasher, barista, waitress, fry cook, reporter and editor, she found sheloved teaching the most. She currently holds the positions of associate professor. As part of the summer high school program, Susan helped as line editor and content editor.
Growing up:
Originally Susan Knight wanted to be a poet and a writer, but that idea was nixed by her parents and told to use her skills in math and science to go toward higher education. “Anyone can be a writer, but you can use math and science,” they would constantly remind her. She then wanted to be an occupational rehab therapist working with spinal chord injuries. She volunteered with hospitals and studied the sciences but wasn’t enjoying herself. She slowly drifted apart from the science and math fields and went after her writing dream.
Dream moments:
Susan loves both editing and teaching. When she first started her family she was piecing together work as a freelance reporter. There was a lot of flexibility so that Susan could be with her kids. Her career led her to the University of Arizona Press, the campus book publishing department. Once there she was introduced to a homeless man who was a recovering alcoholic named Bobby Burns. Burns kept a journal with him and wrote about his life and his journey out of homelessness. Burns was eager to have his journal published.. That is where Susan came into the picture; She was a manuscript editor for the UA Press and was assigned to work with Burns to produce a book. Hard work led to the production of Shelter. “He wanted to write better, and he always asked me to teach him.” Susan said. Some days she would take her son, who was 3 at the time, to the homeless shelter where Burns worked and they would edit his writing. Burns would occasionally grab her son a Fudgsicle, and that memory will always stay in Susan’s heart. Burns has been working as a substitute teacher, having earned a degree from Arizona State University earlier. He later went on for more education to become a college counselor. Years later, when Susan’s son attended Pima Community College, Burns was his assigned counselor. “It's fun how small Tucson really is when you look at the faces,” Susan said.
Word to take with you:
For the last 25 years, her advice for future journalists has been the same — be curious! “You must have the want to know about stuff; interest areas are going to come but when you don’t have curiosity it’s going to be a task not a joy.” Susan stated. The world of journalism will always hold a spot for her as a writer and as a teacher. She continues to teach and pursue journalism and enjoys seeing the new faces of interested journalists in the community.