journalism Experience

Government affairs and politics reporter for Syracuse.com | the post-standard

May 2021 - Present
Multimedia journalist with focus in online content, covering government affairs, elections and the political elite in Central New York. (Formerly: Breaking news)

Freelance Journalist

March 2015 - May 2021
Writes several stories monthly for outlets including GoBankingRates.com, Yahoo! News, Equifax Finance Blog, CBS, National Association of Realtors Magazine and PAWS Chicago Magazine on a variety of topics.

various positions at Chicago Tribune

December 2009 - March 2018
- Relief Copy Editor, Metro Desk: Edited content for grammar, clarity and style.

- Lead editor for Media on Demand: Led team of 12 in choosing national/foreign content for Tribune Company sister papers and handled multiple daily editing and production deadlines.

- General Assignment Reporter: Wrote daily stories and acted as relief editor for north suburban sections.

- Editorial Board Coordinator: Assisted editorial board with research and day-to-day function; wrote editorials and commentary pieces.

Editor, columnist and reporter for Casper Star-Tribune (Wyoming)

January 2008 - December 2009
Assisted in leading team of five reporters and acted as relief editor for city editor, letters editor, news editor and managing editor; wrote three weekly columns, as well as daily stories as a general assignment and county government reporter.

other professional experience

Adjunct professor for syracuse university’s s.i. newhouse school of public communications

August 2019 - Present
Teaches courses in journalism ethics, multi-platform reporting and writing. Participates in academic research focused on freedom of information and ethics in journalism.

Director of Programs for National Kidney Foundation of Illinois

September 2015 - September 2019
Designed and implemented patient and professional programs and managed public education for nonprofit organization. 

Chief copywriter and account executive for aileron communications

March 2015 - September 2015
Developed and edited high-quality materials for media and key stakeholders; wrote, edited and proofread external communications materials, ensuring quality and consistency; managed Aileron’s presence on social media.

EDUCATION

B.A., Journalism, Roosevelt University in Chicago

professional and public service

  • Presenter, “Op-Ed Basics for Medical Professionals and Students,” University of Chicago (2021)

  • Co-chair, Democracy in Action, Syracuse University (2020)

  • Event Coordinator and Panelist, “Covering Your Campus,” Investigative Reporters and Editors’ NICAR Conference (2020)

  • Remote Counselor/Mentor, Princeton Summer Journalism Program (2018 – present)

  • New York Ambassador, American Kidney Fund (2019 – present)

  • Illinois Advocate, National Kidney Foundation Kidney Advocacy Council (2016 - 2019)

academic research

Informing American Muslims About Organ Donation: A randomized, controlled, cross-over trail evaluating the effect of religiously tailored health education
(2018 – present)

  • Craig, M., Quinn, M., Saunders, M., Padela, A. (October 2021). Muslim Americans’ Views on Making Organ Donation Decisions in the Department of Motor Vehicles Setting. Progress in Transplantation, online ahead of print. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34704884/

  • Craig, M. (September 2020). Muslim American Views on Organ Donation. Islamic Horizons Magazine, 1442, 58-59. https://issuu.com/isnacreative/docs/ih_september-october_20

  • Craig, M. (July 2020). Balanced Education is Key for American Muslims Considering Organ Donation. Experimental and Clinical Transplantation, 18.2, 65-66. http://www.ectrx.org/pdf/2020-v18-i1-m7-2.pdf

  • Duivenbode, R., Saunders, M., Craig, M., Quinn, M., Padela, A. (2020). Changes in American Muslim Attitudes on Organ Donation After Religiously-Tailored, Ethically-Balanced Intervention. Manuscript in preparation.

Exploring the Journalistic Mindset (2020 – present)

  • Farrish, K., Craig, M., Munno, G. (September 2021). Journalists who question objectivity still value truth-telling, study finds. Poynter. https://www.poynter.org/ethics-trust/2021/journalists-who-question-objectivity-still-value-truth-telling-study-finds/

  • Craig, M., Munno, G., Farrish, K. (August 2021). Journalists with Different Mindsets Agree on Truth as the Profession’s First Obligation. Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication 2021 Annual Conference - Ethics Division, virtual.

  • Munno, G. & Craig, M. (August 2021). Student Journalists Exhibit Different Mindsets, Agree on the Need for Truthful Reporting. Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication 2021 Annual Conference - Scholastic Journalism Division, virtual.

  • Munno, G. & Craig, M. (August 2020). Can Journalism Be Both Impartial and Empathetic? Nieman Reports. https://niemanreports.org/articles/can-journalism-be-both-impartial-and-empathetic/ 

Secrecy in Death Records: A Call to Action (2020)

  • Craig, M. & Davison, M. (December 2020). Secrecy in Death Records: A Call to Action. Journal of Civic Information, 2(4), 45-54. https://doi.org/10.32473/joci.v1i1.115657

  • Craig, M. (September 2020). Secrecy in Death Records: A Call to Action. National Freedom of Information Coalition FOI Summit, virtual.