Nicole Carroll, editor of the Arizona Republic and Arizona State University alumna, is set to take the helm of USA Today, the most-circulated newspaper in the United States. Her position will be effective in March.
Carroll, a 1991 graduate of ASU, joined the Republic in 1999 after earning a master’s degree from Georgetown and holding various reporting and editorial positions.
Carroll’s tenure at The Republic included stints as a city editor, managing editor of features and executive editor. She has been vice president of news and editor of The Republic and azcentral.com since 2015.
“I am honored to be named editor in chief of USA Today, a leader in investigative reporting and innovative storytelling. It is humbling to follow in the footsteps of some of the most respected and talented journalists in the business,” said Carroll.
In 2008, she was inducted into the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Alumni Hall of Fame.
Christopher Callahan, the school’s dean, said Carroll has all the tools needed to advance the field of journalism.
“Nicole is one of the finest editors of our generation," he said. "She has a deep understanding of news and the communities served by news organizations. But just as importantly, she has the skill sets that are so critical in the digital age for leadership in any industry. She is a highly creative and innovative collaborator who excels at building teams and creating positive, forward-looking work environments. We are tremendously proud of all of her accomplishments, and all of her great work to come at USA Today.”
USA Today and The Arizona Republic are part of the USA Today Network, owned by Gannett Co., Inc.
“Nicole embodies the values, journalistic excellence, integrity and fierce competitive spirit USA Today needs to further its position as a trusted national news leader,” said Maribel Perez Wadsworth, president, USA Today Network and associate publisher, USA Today. “At The Arizona Republic, Nicole has proven to be a dynamic community leader, committed champion of the First Amendment and a tireless advocate for her readers.”
Those qualities weren't just noticed by Gannett executives. During Carroll’s time at The Republic and azcentral.com, the organization was twice named a Pulitzer Prize finalist for its breaking news coverage, and the National Press Foundation named her the 2017 Ben Bradlee Editor of the Year.
Carroll will focus on investigative journalism and protecting the vital role of the press in her new position.
Top photo by Tom Tingle/USA Today Network
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