John Affleck

John Affleck is an accomplished educator and journalist currently serving as the Department Head for Journalism at Penn State University, a position held since August 2013, which expanded in July 2022 to oversee the faculty supporting hundreds of journalism majors. Affleck also holds the title of Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society, where there is a focus on equipping aspiring sports journalists with essential multiplatform reporting skills and an ethical foundation. Prior to transitioning to academia, Affleck had a distinguished career at The Associated Press from April 1991 to August 2013, holding various editorial roles including Deputy Sports Editor and National Reporting Team Editor, while also leading teams that covered significant events and social issues. Affleck's academic background includes a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University, a Postgraduate Diploma in 20th Century British Literature from the University of Dundee, and a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame.