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Yusra Farzan
What I cover
I report on issues affecting students (prospective and current), their families and communities. Some big questions I am pondering on this beat: who are higher education institutions set up to serve? Who determines who has access to these institutions? How is changing technology affecting higher education? Is access to higher education a ticket to a different trajectory in life?
My background
I didn’t think about university up until I graduated high school. Neither of my grandparents nor parents had completed college. We were residents in the UAE and that residency was dependent on my dad holding down his job. A college degree was a nice to have, not a need to have in my family. And it was only thanks to a combination of luck (Sri Lanka’s civil war ended), grit (I balanced 3 freelance jobs and a paid internship) and sheer determination (I dodged countless marriage proposals) that I graduated with a degree.
And it’s these forces that led me to complete my master’s in race and social justice reporting from USC almost a decade later. (Add a 2-year-old to the mix and grieving the sudden death of my mother.)
I previously covered Orange County for LAist.
My goals
I want to find what works and expose what doesn't, and help students and their families find solutions to their problems.
Best way to reach me
Covering Southern California’s universities and community colleges can be a lot, so I need your help in being my eyes and ears on the ground. If you have a tip, you can email me at yfarzan@laist.com or on Signal at username: @yusramf.25
Stories by Yusra Farzan
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Treats you might not have tried but will have everyone talking.
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People say they’re hopeful and anxious for the future.
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Crews have been making steady progress on the Franklin Fire in Malibu Canyon since the red flag conditions subsided.
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One reason food insecurity rates are high, researchers say, is because of the high cost of living.
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The lawsuit alleges Amy Phan West and NamQuan Nguyen repeatedly disrupt meetings.
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In recent years, county officials have run into resistance from cities that are reluctant to host shelters.
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Nguyen says she wants to restore public trust and prioritize efficiency.
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Nguyen was able to take office weeks early to fill the vacancy caused Do’s resignation.
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The audit, which will cover contracts between January 2019 and August 2024, will be more limited in scope than what was first proposed.
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Orange County Board of Supervisors will vote on the item at Tuesday’s meeting.
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Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without twinkling light displays.
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A new cluster of halal food trucks means Angelenos looking for halal options don’t have to drive down to O.C.
