Former Mayor's Spokesman Joe Atkinson Returns to UE to Lead Evansville NewsLab

Evansville, Ind. (02/16/2026) — In a full-circle moment for one of Evansville's most versatile media voices, the University of Evansville (UE) has named Joe Atkinson as Director of Evansville NewsLab, a UE ChangeLab focused on strengthening civic journalism and community engagement across the region.

Atkinson has served as Communications Director for the City of Evansville under Mayor Stephanie Terry since 2024 and is widely known for his earlier roles in local journalism, his documentary film work, and as a member of the UE faculty. His appointment marks a return to his alma mater and former professional home, where he taught dozens of courses for nearly a decade before taking a job with the city.

Atkinson holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University and advanced degrees from the University of Evansville and the University of Nebraska Omaha. His background spans journalism, higher education, and public service, a blend that uniquely positions him to guide the NewsLab's mission of building trust and collaboration between media outlets and the Evansville community.

"Joe's career reflects the very essence of what Evansville NewsLab is about, empowering communities through storytelling and collaboration," said Andrew Carter, Associate Director of the Center for Innovation & Change. "His leadership will help us continue building a more connected and civically engaged Evansville."

Evansville NewsLab is a community-driven journalism initiative dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between local media outlets and the public. Through innovative projects and collaborative research, the lab works to amplify diverse voices and empowers residents to actively participate in shaping the narrative of Evansville.

The program was awarded a $10,000 grant in 2024 from the Listening Post Collective, a nonprofit organization that supports innovative, community-focused journalism. The grant supported ChangeLab's expansion of outreach initiatives, including surveys and focus groups, as it works to develop a sustainable civic journalism hub for the Evansville area.

In 2025, Evansville NewsLab was awarded a $230,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation through the Press Forward Initiative. This new funding will allow NewsLab to expand its community connections, deepen partnerships with local organizations, and engage more students and community members in the production of impactful journalism.

The grant reflects growing national concern over the decline of local journalism, which has left many communities without trusted sources of news and accountability. Through Press Forward, Lumina Foundation joins a broad coalition of funders and organizations committed to rebuilding local news ecosystems.

"All across the country, communities are rethinking how local journalism can better support civic engagement and public understanding," Atkinson said. "Seeing the University of Evansville take on that question here in our community through NewsLab was compelling, and I'm honored to help lead the effort."

Evansville NewsLab is part of UE's nationally recognized Changemaker Campus initiative, which encourages students and faculty to develop real-world solutions to social and community challenges.

For more information about Evansville NewsLab and the Center for Innovation & Change, visit https://www.evansville.edu/centerforinnovation/.

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Joe Atkinson Headshot