April Helms
About April Helms
April Helms is a reporter specializing in education and the Twinsburg/Nordonia Hills area, currently working for Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK since 2019. She has extensive experience in journalism and community service, including roles at Record Publishing Co. and Asian Services in Action.
Work at Gannett
April Helms has been employed at Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK as a Reporter focusing on education and the Twinsburg/Nordonia Hills area since 2019. In this role, she covers local educational issues and community events, providing insights and information relevant to residents in Kent, Ohio. Her work contributes to the broader mission of Gannett to inform and engage communities through local journalism.
Education and Expertise
April Helms holds a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Kent State University, which she completed from 2005 to 2006. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from the same institution, studying from 1992 to 1997. Her educational background equips her with skills in research, information management, and effective communication, which she applies in her reporting and community engagement efforts.
Background
April Helms has a diverse professional background that includes various roles in journalism and community service. Prior to her current position, she worked at Record Publishing Co. for over a decade in multiple capacities, including as a Special Products Editor and a reporter. She has also contributed to the County of Summit Engineer’s office, where she handled media inquiries and wrote press releases related to construction projects.
Community Involvement
April has actively participated in community service initiatives, particularly with Asian Services in Action. She has been involved in after-school and summer programs aimed at supporting children and teens from immigrant families. Additionally, she served as a computer instructor for the organization, where she taught computer literacy skills to adult immigrants, demonstrating her commitment to education and community development.
Previous Experience
Before her current role at Gannett, April held various positions that enriched her experience in journalism and education. She worked at GateHouse Media as a reporter covering education in Northern Summit County and served as a web page manager at Asian Services in Action. Her early career included roles at Kent State University as a student assistant and at the Akron Beacon Journal as a telemarketer, providing her with a broad foundation in communication and media.