Lisa Desjardins: Education and the Foundation of a Distinguished Journalism Career
Lisa Desjardins, an American political journalist renowned for her insightful reporting, particularly on Capitol Hill, has built a distinguished career on a solid educational foundation. Her academic pursuits, coupled with diverse experiences, have shaped her into a respected figure in the world of journalism. Currently a correspondent at PBS NewsHour, Desjardins' journey began with a strong interest in economics and a commitment to understanding the world around her.
Early Life and Academic Pursuits
Born Lisa Goddard on January 29, 1972, in Hawaii, Desjardins spent her formative years in Annandale, Virginia. Her father, a retired naval officer who later became a college instructor, instilled in her a value for education and public service. From 1990 to 1994, Desjardins attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she earned a bachelor's degree in economics. This early focus on economics provided her with a framework for analyzing complex systems, a skill that would later prove invaluable in her coverage of politics and policy.
Following her undergraduate studies, Desjardins broadened her horizons with a two-year immersion in Russian studies at Herzen University in Saint Petersburg. During this period, she developed fluency in Russian, demonstrating her commitment to understanding different cultures and perspectives. This experience likely honed her ability to analyze situations from multiple viewpoints, a crucial asset for any journalist.
Recognizing her passion for storytelling and informing the public, Desjardins pursued a master's degree at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, starting in 1996. This formal training in journalism equipped her with the technical skills and ethical principles necessary for a successful career in the field.
Early Career and Transition to Journalism
Desjardins' entry into the world of journalism was not without its challenges. Her first job was at the local television station WBTW in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, between 1998 and 1999, where she was fired. Undeterred, she persevered, working as a freelance reporter for The Sun News, a Myrtle Beach newspaper, while simultaneously freelancing for the news agency Reuters. These early experiences provided her with valuable hands-on training in reporting, writing, and meeting deadlines.
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Her career gained momentum when she joined CNN in 2005, where she spent nine years honing her skills as a journalist. Initially, she served as CNN Radio's Congressional correspondent, reporting on the inner workings of Congress and national politics. Her role expanded to include contributions to CNN.com and CNN's news channel, showcasing her versatility as a reporter.
Rise to Prominence at CNN
During her time at CNN, Desjardins covered a wide range of significant events, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake. CNN Radio's coverage of this devastating event, to which Desjardins contributed, was honored with a Sigma Delta Chi Award, a testament to the quality and impact of her reporting.
In 2008, she was part of the CNN team that covered the presidential primaries, an experience that further solidified her expertise in political reporting. The team's comprehensive coverage earned CNN a Peabody Award, one of the most prestigious awards in broadcasting.
When CNN Radio was shut down in June 2013, Desjardins transitioned to CNN's Washington Bureau, where she served as a Capitol Hill reporter. In this role, she delved deeper into the intricacies of Congress, covering legislative debates, policy developments, and the personalities shaping American politics.
In addition to her reporting, she and Rick Emerson co-authored "Zombie Economics: A Guide to Personal Finance," demonstrating her ability to communicate complex financial concepts in an accessible manner.
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PBS NewsHour and Continued Recognition
In 2014, Desjardins joined PBS NewsHour, further elevating her career and solidifying her reputation as a trusted voice in political journalism. Prior to joining News Hour, Desjardins spent nearly ten years with CNN as a senior correspondent and Capitol Hill reporter. She continues to cover Congress, politics, and policy in America for radio, television, and digital news networks. Her journalistic journey includes stints at various esteemed outlets such as the Associated Press, WBTW-TV, WIS-TV, WTS-TV, Reuters, and The Sun News.
Her ability to distill complex stories into essential components makes her an invaluable asset to the program. Adept at simplifying intricate narratives and political discord, Desjardins excels at distilling complex stories into essential components. She is known as a policy nerd who reads bills and is fluent in both Democratic and Republican viewpoints. Lisa regularly breaks news and advances national stories. Her wide array of creative writing online uses different formats to best tell the story.
Desjardins' reporting during and after the January 6th Capitol insurrection garnered widespread recognition. On January 6th, Desjardins was the only journalist outside of lockdown reporting live on television from the halls of the Capitol, during which she relayed the news as insurrectionists streamed into the building and interviewed one of them live during NewsHour’s special on PBS. Despite being assaulted by a rioter, she continued reporting live throughout the attack and was evacuated alongside members of Congress and staffers to the Longworth House Office Building. Her reporting of January 6th extended well beyond NewsHour’s special broadcast that day, including as a video podcast anchored by Judy Woodruff and alongside her fellow NewsHour correspondents, Amna Nawaz and Yamiche Alcindor, who that day were outside the Capitol where the mob was gathering and at the White House, respectively.
Her work that day earned her a Peabody Award, the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Association Joan S. Barone Award, and the National Press Foundation’s Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress. “Lisa Desjardins provided Americans with a real-time look inside the Jan. 6 insurrection, showing the real danger the insurrectionists posed to all of those inside the Capitol who were attempting to do their jobs. Her ability to keep telling the story, showing viewers the shocking rampage even as she was in jeopardy herself, was a true act of journalistic courage,” said judge and professor and co-director of the Medill National Security Journalism Initiative, Ellen Shearer.
Personal Life
Lisa Desjardins has been married to Jason Desjardins since 2007.
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