Mark Ferenchik took the role of News Director for WOSU Public Media in March 2024. He has spent his career reporting for various news outlets in Ohio, including 25 years at The Columbus Dispatch, the top newspaper in the state. He has worked on a range of projects, from investigating how the federal government misspent money in Appalachia to exploring issues such as suburban gangs and the complex relationship between law enforcement and the Somali community in Columbus.

He covered Columbus City Hall for six years and has focused on urban issues facing the city for the past 19 years. These include income inequality, gentrification, the challenge of keeping housing affordable in redeveloping areas, and oversight of expenditures at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority.

He has covered growth and economic issues in Greater Columbus, with a particular passion for addressing urban challenges like neighborhood blight and the adaptation of immigrant populations to life in the city. Throughout his career, he has garnered multiple awards from the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2013, he was named the best editorial employee at The Columbus Dispatch.

His skills include computer-assisted reporting, video production, and blogging, and he actively promotes his stories on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. He has also made appearances on WBNS-TV and “All Sides” on WOSU-FM, contributing valuable insights to public discussions. Despite his extensive experience, he continues to love what he does and remains dedicated to journalism.