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Andrew Conte, Ph.D.

Andrew Conte, Ph.D.
Founding Director
Center for Media Innovation

Pictured is Andrew Conte. Photo | Evan Levine


Andrew Conte, Ph.D., founded the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University in 2016. He has worked as an investigative journalist and authored four nonfiction books, including The Color of Sundays and Death of the Daily News. He now runs Trib Total Media’s Newsworks Lab. 
 
At the CMI from 2016 to 2026, Conte raised $8.5 million for community-engaged approaches to sustaining and growing local news, mostly across southwestern Pennsylvania. He started the Pittsburgh Media Partnership, a collaboration among more than 40 news outlets; a collocated newsroom with six news outlets in Downtown Pittsburgh; and a local chapter of the national Press Forward movement. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership recognized Andrew in 2024 as a “catalyst for change.”
 
In addition to running the Center, Conte taught at Point Park University’s School of Communication from 2005 to 2026. The University recognized him with its “distinguished teaching award” in 2024.
 
Conte serves as president of the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania.
 
Previously, Conte worked as an investigative reporter at the Tribune-Review, covering topics such as organ transplantation, cybersecurity and offshore banking. He reported on the introduction of legalized gambling in Pennsylvania, and he wrote the 2010 book Breakaway about his coverage of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ bid for a new hockey arena.
 
Conte holds a Ph.D. in Community Engagement from Point Park University, a master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College.
 
In his free time, Conte enjoys long-distance bicycling trips, kayaking, camping with his wife in their vintage VW bus, international travel, and time with his grown children, who live in Brooklyn.

You may reach him at aconte@NewsworksLab.com. 


Education

  • Ph.D., Community Engagement, Point Park University
  • M.S., Journalism, Columbia University
  • B.A., American Studies, Dickinson College

Professional Experience

  • Investigative Reporter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
  • Part-Time Professor, Point Park University
  • Director, Point Park News Service
  • Reporter, Cincinnati Post
  • Board Member, The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania

Publications

  • Death of the Daily News
  • The Color of Sundays
  • Breakaway
  • All About Roberto Clemente

  • PR Disruption Award, PRSA Pittsburgh's Renaissance Awards
  • Spotlight Award, Pennsylvania Society of Professional Journalists
  • Ray Sprigle Memorial Award, Press Club of Western Pennsylvania
  • William Brewster Styles Award, Scripps Howard Foundation
  • Carnegie Science Award, Carnegie Science Center

Point Park University
201 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1984
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