Jennifer Smola Shaffer
About Jennifer Smola Shaffer
Jennifer Smola Shaffer is a Projects Reporter at The Columbus Dispatch, part of Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK, where she has worked since 2015. She specializes in investigative journalism, focusing on community issues and has a background in political science and journalism from Miami University.
Work at Gannett
Jennifer Smola Shaffer has been a part of Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK since 2015. She currently serves as a Projects Reporter for The Columbus Dispatch, a role she has held since 2021. In her time at Gannett, she has also worked as a Licking County/Regional Reporter from 2015 to 2017 and as a Higher Education Reporter from 2017 to 2021. Her reporting focuses on uncovering community issues and developing investigative stories that have influenced leadership changes and improved oversight in the Columbus area.
Education and Expertise
Jennifer Smola Shaffer earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Political Science from Miami University, where she studied from 2010 to 2014. Her academic background has equipped her with the skills necessary for effective storytelling and in-depth reporting. She has a passion for highlighting community triumphs and addressing complex issues through her work.
Background
Before joining Gannett, Jennifer worked at the Associated Press as a Breaking News Staffer from 2014 to 2015. She also gained experience as a Collegiate Correspondent for USA TODAY in 2013. Her early career included internships at The Miami Student, The Columbus Dispatch, Enquirer Media, and The Hill, where she developed her reporting skills and knowledge of various journalistic practices.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Jennifer Smola Shaffer has developed investigative news stories that have led to significant changes in leadership and oversight within the Columbus area. Her reporting efforts focus on persistent engagement with community problems, which has resulted in impactful journalism that serves the public interest.