Welcoming Jika González, '13 M.S., incoming Joan Konner Visiting Professor of Journalism

Jika González has joined Columbia Journalism School as the Joan Konner Visiting Professor of Journalism. An award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker from Mexico City, González is a 2013 graduate of Columbia Journalism School and is currently based in New York where she works as a freelance cinematographer and producer.

This fall, she will co-teach reporting alongside Dean Duy Linh Tu, ‘99 M.S., and lead Video 1 for documentary students. During the spring semester, she will teach Visual Storytelling, continuing to guide students in developing compelling visual journalism. 

“I’m honored to join Columbia Journalism School as the Joan Konner Visiting Professor,” said González. 

Her storytelling spans the United States and the world, focusing on identity, the human consequences of immigration policy and climate change. Known for her authentic approach, González prefers to work with a light footprint, often shooting handheld to capture raw, intimate moments that resonate deeply with audiences.

González’s impactful work has been recognized with five News and Documentary Emmy Awards, a Peabody, a duPont-Columbia Award and an Overseas Press Club award, highlighting her commitment to powerful journalism and visual storytelling.

The visiting professorship is named for Joan Konner, '61 M.S., a groundbreaking broadcast news producer, documentarian, television executive, and author who served as Dean from 1988 to 1997.  Konner brought many innovations to the School, establishing both the part-time Masters of Science and Ph.D. programs and modernizing the curriculum.

She also served as a trustee of Columbia University; and after her term as dean, as publisher, and later as a member of the Board of Overseers, of the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR). She lent her philanthropic support to CJR and to the school by establishing an endowed scholarship, a graduation prize and by restoring the school’s lobby. Her family has continued to support this legacy through the establishment of this visiting professorship and support for the Joan Konner Fellowship in the Journalism of Ideas.