Andrea Billups has joined the West Virginia Public Broadcasting team as news director, effective today.
Billups, a native of Hurricane, W.Va., is a veteran national reporter, author, media consultant and educator. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Marshall University, where she was a 2018 inductee into the Marshall University Journalism Hall of Fame. She earned her master’s degree in mass communications from the University of Florida.
Executive Director Chuck Roberts said the search to fill the critical role began in March 2020.
“The process was made possible by a thoughtful committee of seven West Virginia Public Broadcasting staffers from across a variety of departments, including the News Department,” Roberts said. “I am grateful for the unique perspective brought by everyone on the hiring committee. With her selection, Andrea brings her experience, skills, journalistic integrity and leadership to our team. I’m also really pleased we could bring her back to her Mountain State roots.”
Billups’ work has been published in Time, US News, Reader’s Digest, Money, the Washington Post, The Washington Times and many other publications. She is a former staff correspondent for PEOPLE magazine and is a current contributor to the magazine and its digital counterpart, PEOPLE.com. Billups also taught journalism at five universities including Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, the University of South Florida, the University of Florida and most recently, Western Kentucky University, where she served for two years as a professional-in-residence.
“I am thrilled to join West Virginia Public Broadcasting as news director,” Billups said. “While I have had a long national media career, it’s my desire to help my home state by using what I’ve learned to raise the bar on its news coverage. Now more than ever, we need a strong and thoughtful media presence. Our tenacious storytelling team seeks to lead the conversation about our challenges and shine a bright light on West Virginia’s unique and oft-unsung strengths.”
The news director position is housed at WVPB’s Charleston headquarters. Billups will oversee the direction of WVPB’s statewide news programming and lead its team of reporters and news producers. She also will serve on the organization’s Leadership Team.