William McKenzie joins News Literacy Project Board of Directors
McKenzie brings experience as a Pulitzer-winning journalist, policy expert and university lecturer
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 8, 2025 – The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit and the nation’s leading provider of news literacy education, is honored to announce the appointment of William McKenzie — educator, journalist, and policy analyst — to its Board of Directors.
McKenzie has devoted his career to strengthening American civic life through his teaching, writing and policy work. As senior editorial advisor at the George W. Bush Institute, he participates in projects focused on democracy and freedom. He also teaches courses on the relationship between media and public policies, the press and the presidency, and opinion writing as an adjunct lecturer at Southern Methodist University.
McKenzie was a columnist and editorial writer for The Dallas Morning News for more than two decades. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his contributions to a series of editorials exposing stark disparities between the city’s high- and low-income neighborhoods. He remains as a contributing columnist for the paper.
“Bill is deeply committed to bringing communities together through news literacy, credible journalism and educational opportunities for all children. Just like the News Literacy Project, he is focused on solutions to some of our country’s biggest information challenges. Working together, we’ll ensure more kids have the skills they need to navigate our confusing, polarized information landscape,” said Charles Salter, President and CEO of the News Literacy Project.
McKenzie will serve on the audit and program committees for the News Literacy Project, providing oversight of the organization’s operations and its free, nonpartisan educational resources. His three-year term begins in October.
“Credible information is getting harder to find as news outlets struggle financially and falsehoods thrive online. It’s vital that kids growing up in this fragmented media landscape learn how to stay informed so they can be empowered, engaged members of our civic life. That is the mission of the News Literacy Project – a mission that I am eager to support as a board member,” McKenzie said.
Beyond his professional work, McKenzie is an elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Dallas, where he lives with his wife. They are proud parents of twins.
About the News Literacy Project
The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan education nonprofit that works with teachers, school districts, states and community partners like libraries and after-school clubs to ensure students in all 50 states receive news literacy instruction before they graduate from high school. Learn more at www.newslit.org.
