Jack Downs

I joined the SUNY Plattsburgh journalism program after more than 25 years as an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Here at the college, I have created or dramatically revised several journalism courses including page design, web design, audio/video production, multimedia journalism production and outdoor writing, where students go on hikes, practice fly-casting and observe migrating birds.

Growing up in the Adirondacks, I spent my summers working at the family stables. I am the author of a kayak guidebook to the Lake Champlain region and am an avid cross-country skier. I am in the process of launching the SUNY Plattsburgh High School Press Institute, an intensive summer program for high school newspaper editors and writers. To stay current in the profession, I still work weekly at Plattsburgh’s daily paper. I am married with three daughters.