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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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The cake, a localized version of British fruit cake, is a treat enjoyed by all faith groups.
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The humanitarian crisis in Gaza as airstrikes continue is prompting grief, survivors’ guilt, and “bringing back a lot of baggage.” Seeing a need for support, a mosque and school in Garden Grove have incorporated mental health into their programming.
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Instead, proponents say the city will celebrate Huntington Beach, California and federal history, including the Civil War and the Bill of Rights.
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But, researchers say residents are burdened by the housing market.
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But church’s position on same-sex marriage has not changed.
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The climate crisis will increase the number of marine mammals needing treatment, experts say.
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Those who oppose the ban say the policy unfairly targeted a practice that predates the founding of Los Angeles.
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The review comes after a massive arson fire shut down a portion of the 10 Freeway in downtown L.A.
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Hotel owners and the Los Angeles Police Commission say the new requirement will overburden the system.
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More than $90 million will be invested in building around 3,000 shelters across the city.
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OCTA expects commuters to shave 15 minutes from their commute time.
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Black, Jewish and LGBTQIA+ residents endured the most reported hate crimes in the county, officials say.
