Baniak named inaugural Al Cross Faculty Fellow and Visiting Professional

Peter Baniak, a veteran journalist and news executive with more than 30 years of experience in Kentucky, will join the University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media Jan. 1 as the School’s inaugural Al Cross Faculty Fellow and Visiting Professional.  

The Al Cross Fellowship was established in 2024 to support faculty members working to strengthen public affairs journalism through teaching, research, service and outreach.  

“I’m thrilled to join the outstanding School of Journalism and Media faculty,” Baniak said. “I’m especially honored to be moving into a role that carries the name of Al Cross, one of the titans of Kentucky journalism and one of my own journalism role models.” 

Baniak, inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame in 2024, served as executive editor of the Lexington Herald-Leader for nearly 15 years. He led the paper’s transition from print to digital while maintaining a strong focus on accountability-driven journalism and public affairs coverage at local, regional and state levels.  

He later moved into corporate roles at McClatchy, serving as vice president and senior vice president for local news, where he built the company’s first team focused on artificial intelligence and innovation in journalism. 

“The School welcomes Peter, who will be teaching courses in writing and reporting in addition to his role as Al Cross Faculty Fellow,” said Erika Engstrom, the School’s director. 

Baniak said his move to teaching comes at a critical time for journalism. 

“We see examples every day of the need for strong, thoughtful public affairs journalism at all levels, and I’m excited to focus on this critical need while building the Al Cross fellowship for the future,” he said.