The Humphrey School of Public Affairs is pleased to welcome Sam Freedman, award-winning journalist and retired professor from Columbia University, as a visiting senior fellow.
Freedman, who joined the School this fall, brings a remarkable career as an author, reporter, and educator, and his work will strengthen the School’s commitment to public engagement and storytelling. He has a joint appointment with the University of Minnesota Libraries.
While researching his 2023 book, Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights, Freedman became a familiar face at the Humphrey School, at one point describing himself as a “part-time Minneapolitan.”
“Sam became a dear friend of ours while working on his book,” said Dean Nisha Botchwey, noting that he had an office in the building, and access to Humphrey-related archives at the School as well as broader collections at the University Libraries. “We are excited that he has become an official member of the Humphrey School community.”
Freedman’s book explores the early civil rights activism of Hubert Humphrey, showcasing the kind of thoughtful, accessible storytelling he will bring to his work with faculty and students at the Humphrey School.
Supporting faculty and students
In this new role, Freedman will support faculty in developing book manuscripts and other long-form projects while expanding the reach of their research through commentaries, public talks, and other accessible formats.
“By creating more opportunities to connect academic work with public conversations, Sam will help elevate the impact of Humphrey School scholarship in new and meaningful ways,” said Botchwey.
Freedman’s presence also opens exciting doors for students. He will conduct writing workshops and provide curated resources to help students build strong public and persuasive writing skills, which are essential for shaping policy conversations and civic life.
As part of that effort, Freedman is developing a pathway for students to learn to craft and publish commentaries and essays through a partnership with the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, beginning with an independent study pilot this fall and expanding into a full course next year.
Freedman’s work at the University Libraries and its Mapping Prejudice project will deepen these efforts by linking scholarship with community-centered storytelling. This collaboration will highlight the role of journalism in documenting civil rights movements, local histories, and ongoing advocacy, amplifying the voices and experiences of Black Minnesotans and other underrepresented communities.
Botchwey said she is excited “for the creativity, expertise, and collaborative spirit Sam will bring to the Humphrey School, and for the many ways his presence will enrich our shared work.”
