Jan served as editor from February 1998 to March 2003 and oversaw the complete redesign of the paper, revival of the consumer beat and consumer column, establishment of the paper's first Public Editor, along with in depth coverage of September 11, 2001, child safety, the Ohio Clean Air Act, the polymer industry, and rape laws.

Before coming to the Beacon Journal, Jan was managing editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1993-1998, city editor of the Arizona Republic from 1990-1993, and metro editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1980-1988.

This is not Jan's first experience with the academic sector. From 1988-1990, she was an adjunct instructor at Northern Kentucky University and at the University of Cincinnati, teaching copy editing and reporting.

She holds a B.S. in journalism from Bowling Green State University.

At Kent State, Jan is teaching a section of Ethics & Issues in Mass Communication. She's also guest lecturing in other JMC courses and serving as a resource person for faculty and students.

Jan Leach, new Professional in Residence at Kent JMC, exults in a victory trip down Derby Downs. The journey down the loooong hill came at the corporate sponsors' derby race in July. Leach is former editor of the Akron Beacon Journal.

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