Behind every statistic about housing insecurity is a personal story. While complex issues are often reduced to numbers and headlines, journalists have the power to reveal the human experiences behind them. This summer, Dawson Iasillo is using her reporting skills to share those stories and explore the realities of housing in America.
Dawson is a rising senior double-majoring in political science and journalism. She is currently working as a national fellow with News21 at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism in Phoenix, Arizona.
From May to August 2026, she is investigating the housing crisis in America, sharing the stories of people who have found stable housing as well as those facing housing challenges. Through a combination of reporting, storytelling and photography, Dawson offers an up-close look at how housing issues affect communities across the country and the realities behind one of the nation's most pressing challenges.
The Carnegie-Knight News21 program brings together top journalism students from universities across the country to investigate issues of national importance. Their work has been featured by major news outlets, including The Washington Post, NBC News and USA Today.
"I am incredibly lucky to be working alongside 19 of the best student journalists from across the country," Dawson said. "Being able to learn and work alongside them provides an experience and lessons that cannot be replicated."
In addition to collaborating with talented student journalists, Dawson works under the guidance of Pulitzer Prize-winning editors whose mentorship helps bridge the gap between the classroom and a professional newsroom.
"This role gave me a deeper understanding of what the workflow in journalism looks like," Dawson said. "Talking to experts, working with editors and traveling across the country to hear people's stories are just a few ways this internship has provided me with the experience of a lifetime."
Outside of her work with News21, Dawson remains actively involved in journalism on campus, where she continues to sharpen her skills and pursue meaningful stories.
She serves as the senior opinion editor at the Daily Nebraskan, UNL's independent student news organization, and an ambassador for the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. She also leads the Nebraska Nightly student newscast and works with the Husker Vote Coalition to encourage civic engagement on campus.
Along the way, Dawson has also taken advantage of resources available through Career Services, particularly career coaching and resume assistance.
"My career coach has helped tremendously with tailoring my resume and cover letters for internships and helping me search for opportunities that make the most sense for me and my path," she said.
Through her professional experiences, career development efforts and campus involvement, Dawson has built a strong foundation for her future career goals.
"As a political science and journalism major, it may come as no surprise that I want to be a political journalist," she said. "The ultimate goal would be to broadcast political commentary or serve as a political correspondent."
With a passion for storytelling and commitment to informing the public, Dawson is building the skills and experiences needed for a successful future in political journalism.
